GCSE Maths Hacks

I've met a fair number of students who struggle to make sense of probability and it's usually because of how it has been presented to them. The main issue is usually the AND rule and the OR rule. Let's take a look at the AND rule. The And rule talks about the probability of lots of different events happening at the same time. For example, what is the probability of both you and I going somewhere on the weekend?  Very high, right. Most people go somewhere on the weekend, it might be the park, a friend's house, shopping, a weekend job etc. What is the probability of both you and I going out to eat on the weekend? That's still possible, but less likely than us going somewhere. What is the probability that both you and I end up in the same restaurant to eat or choosing the same thing to eat? Again, still possible, but even less likely. Hopefully you can see that the more events I add in, the probability gets smaller.  All probabilities are given as fractions. When you m...

In Part 1 of GCSE Maths Percentage Questions  we looked at changing fractions into percentages when the bottom number (denominator) goes into 100, i.e. is a factor of 100. However, this won't always happen and you need to know how to change other fractions into percentages. For example, you might have to change 6/24 into a percentage. For these kind of questions, you need to remember that a fraction is also a divide. Meaning that 6/24 is also 6 divided by 24. The process for converting these kind of fractions to a percentage is to simplify the fraction and then do the division. So in this case, 6/24 simplifies to 1/4. 1 divided by 4 is 0.25. To change a decimal into a percentage, multiply by 100, which gives us 25%. Here's another example: 3/16 3/16 does not simplify. 16 does not go into 100. So to change 3/16 into a percentage we need to do the division. These kind of questions are usually calculator questions, but you can also do them without a calculator. You will need to ad...

If you hate percentages and can't seem to get your head around all of the different types of percentage questions, you're not alone. It can be a really confusing topic. You might be tempted to avoid it and I don't blame you at all. Sadly, you won't get far very far with GCSE Maths if you don't learn how to do these questions. I'll do my best to simplify this topic and hopefully make it easier for you.  Let's start by looking at what a percentage actually is. The word percent means 'Out of 100'. Per as in for each one. And cent, the french for 100.  The purpose of working out percentages is to help compare numbers and to make things simpler. For example, when you go shopping, a sale sign that says 50% off is much clearer than a sign that says £37 off. Percentages help us understand numbers faster. Usually when you get a test result, you will have your score as well as a percentage. Before you start working on how to calculate percentages, I highly rec...

 You might be wondering what the differences are between the IGCSE and GCSE Maths. Particularly if you are homeschooling or if you are an international student looking for a UK equivalent qualification, you may be wondering which is better. When talking about education, a 'better' qualification, usually means harder.  Some organisations see the IGCSE as more prestigious and I assume this is because the IGCSE Maths qualification has more content and slightly harder topics than the standard GCSE. Here are the additional topics required in the IGCSE:   - Differentiation   - Matrices Usually these topics aren't covered until A-Levels. Having said that, the difference between IGCSE and GCSE Maths was probably greater before the grading system changed to the levels system. Because along with the grading change, some A-Level content was also added into the GCSE Maths syllabus.  So the Maths GCSE is harder than it was pre-2017, but is still slightly easier tha...

 The Edexcel Syllabus is the similar:  1 Number 2 Algebra 3 Ratio, proportion and rates of change 4 Geometry and measures 5 Probability 6 Statistics 7 Problem Solving You can learn more here on the BBC Bitesize Revision Page - I personally find it easier than navigating the Edexcel GCSE Maths page.  Exams: The Edexcel GCSE Maths exam structure is the same as the AQA: 3 papers, one is non-calculator, 80 marks and 1.5 hours each. In 2022 A score of 194 was needed for a level 9, slightly lower than the AQA exams. 

If you're wondering which exam board to choose between AQA and Edexcel, the content required for each is very similar - the main differences are in how the exams are written. The IGCSE Syllabus is different, it has more content and some slightly harder topics than the standard GCSE. The I in IGCSE stands for International and this qualification is accessible in around 150 countries, whereas the GCSE is only available in the UK and a few other places.  If you're homeschooling it may be worth going for the IGCSE as it is considered more prestigious by some and it gives you the flexibility to take the qualification from almost anywhere.  I will go through each syllabus in more detail, starting with AQA: Topics:  1 Number 2 Algebra 3 Ratio, proportion and rates of change 4 Geometry and measures 5 Probability 6 Statistics Exams: There are 3 exams, 1 is non-calculator. Each has 80 marks and there is a foundation (levels 1 to 5)  and higher tier available (levels 5 to 9)....

  Here are the exam dates for GCSE Maths Exams 2023: They are all morning exams, but they are spread out which might be useful! What do you prefer morning or afternoon exams? (I definitely used to prefer the afternoon exams!) Have them close together and get them over with, or spread out so you have more time to revise? Let me know in the comments below.

 The last few questions in the exam are HARD...if you haven't done your prep. The level 9 questions are definitely doable and in this article I will share some tips with you on how to approach them and maybe even enjoy the challenge of solving them.  The reason that the level 8 and level 9 questions are different and appear more difficult is they involve a slightly different way of thinking and an in depth knowledge of the maths topics involved. If your revision has been inconsistent or only focused on a few topics, you will struggle with the last quarter of the exam. If you have not practised enough problem solving questions, you will also find the level 8 and level 9 questions harder than they are. Here is the last question on the June 2019, non calculator paper: Angle x is acute Cos x = sin 60 x tan 30 Calculate the size of angle x. You must show your working. Before I tell you how to do this question, I'm going to share a few hints and tips about approaching this: Whenever...

Are you struggling to reach your maths students or can't understand why your child is avoiding it? Here's the process I use for disengaged students, which you can steal and adapt to your situation:  1  Be human first, teacher second Start by giving them a bit of space and removing the pressure of having to be good at maths. Remind them that they are so much more than their exam grade and that maths isn't the only thing they need in life. Try and build a connection with them and understand their emotions and stress.  2  Have a laugh - even if its a terrible dad joke Learning, teaching and parenting don't need to be boring and stressful. Remember to relax and have a laugh as often as possible.  3  Find out what’s stopping them engaging When your child or student feels ready, they will want to open up and talk to you. Ask them gently, in a no pressure way, what it is about maths that's stopping them engaging. A lot of the time it will be something like fear of...

  There is so much to learn and so much to commit to memory at GCSE. If you are feeling overwhelmed and wondering how you are going to remember everything, its completely understandable. Pure memorisation is really repeatedly reading something until it just sticks in your head. Here's the process I used to remember everything - including my entire German Oral test which got me an A grade. As you are studying or revising, keep a piece of paper nearby, the larger the better, ideally A4 or A3 size. As you come across a formula that you need to remember, write it down on this piece of paper. You can write it large, use colour if you want to and add diagrams and examples. Do whatever you like and add anything that will help you to memorise it and remind you how to use the formula too. Now think of an activity that you do regularly throughout the day. E.g. eating, using the bathroom, reading, praying etc. Every time you do that activity you have to read through your sheet 10 times. So, l...

 The non-calculator paper can be tricky. But, because its a non calculator paper the kind of questions they ask you have to have simple maths involved. What I mean by simple maths is that the numbers they choose usually divide easily or convert easily. I've put together a list of maths facts, which, if you memorise, you will find the paper much easier and also be a lot faster at working things out. 1. The first 6 multiples of 15: 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 Multiples of 15 and division by 15 is commonly used. Memorise the multiples and factors of each number that I've listed above. E.g 90/15 is 6 and so on. 2. The first 10 square numbers (more if possible): 1, 2, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100 3. The first 10 cube numbers (more if possible): 1, 8, 27, 64, 125, 216, 343, 512, 729, 1000 4. Common fractions/decimals/percentages: 5. The times tables from 1 to 12. 6. Common Trig Values:  I'll keep this updated if I think of any more - feel free to make suggestions!

Let's be honest. Revision can be dull. Who wants to stare at their textbook for hours when you could be doing anything else. When it comes to revision, even mundane tasks like cleaning, tidying, washing up and flicking through Netflix, all become super interesting activities. We are very good at avoiding the things we should be doing! So how do you stop procrastinating and get your work done? Let's start with why you are most likely avoiding your work. It's most likely because there is so much to do. Having a large task or lots of little ones that we know will take a long time, is often what puts us off. No one likes the idea of being stuck on one thing for ages. Completing our work, tasks, revision, jobs and so on are all easier when we bring back some choice and make the task look smaller. For example: It's a bit like this article, I've broken down the sentences, so they are short. I've also spaced out the lines, so that each paragraph is easier to read. It...

 GCSEs are tough. Not just the work itself, but also the: Massive amounts of stress Crazy all nighters  Lack of sleep  and the huge amount of pressure. If you're feeling rundown or you're watching your children go through this, I completely understand your rollercoaster of emotions. Remember to take time out and although it seems like the world revolves around GCSEs, it doesn't mean its going to end if things don't quite go to plan. Here are 5 of the strategies that I give to my students. They worked amazingly for me and I hope that by sharing them, you will find this part of your life easier and more manageable: 1 - Revision should be an ongoing process. Its very stressful to suddenly find out you have an end of unit test or surprise practice test next week and then dropping your plans to revise and cram as best you can. Revision should be something you continuously do. Spending 10 - 15 minutes a day on a few topics that you've learnt earlier that day or week will ...

 If you are doing AQA maths GCSE and want to improve your grade massively you need 2 things:  - Excellent subject knowledge  - Brilliant exam technique Here I'm going to cover exam technique. I'm going to start with the Higher Non-Calculator paper, find it here. You'll find that these exams usually follow the same format: Questions 1 to 4: Multiple choice, easy, but also easy to slip up if you're rushing or stressed. Questions 5 to 14: Fairly simple, big chunky marks, easy if you've put the work in. Questions 15 to 20: Generally involve a bit more problem solving, tests deeper knowledge of maths. Questions 21 to the end: Level 8/9 questions, I will show you how to master these in due course. --> Exam TIP: Before you start your exam, have a quick read through every page. Put a small dot in pencil next to any question that you feel you might struggle with. Smile when you see one you think will be manageable. This will help you relax and help you manage your time mo...

How many past papers have you looked at or worked through? 1? 3? Maybe 5?? None??? Most students I know barely look at past papers. That's like trying to pass a driving test without actually having driven before. Past papers (and this is for any subject) is one of your best tools to understand how to do exams and skyrocket your grade.  Here's what you can learn from past papers:  - What to expect in the exam: most exams - especially maths -  follow a simple structure and the same one year after year.  - What kind of questions come up: There are only so many ways you can ask a question on the quadratic formula, or circle theorems, or any topic really. The more exam papers you look at the more likely you will find a familiar question in your real exam. - How to do the exam: You don't have to go in order and you don't have to spend ages on the first few questions. There is a much better way to do a GCSE maths exam, which I will share with you.  - Build familiarity:...

  Do you struggle with maths? Like a lot of people, you probably do and you've landed here looking for help and some answers. If you've been doing maths since childhood and still find it confusing, scary and/or downright painful, I completely understand. You are not alone. I have met fully grown adults who still struggle with the tens, hundred and thousands columns and cannot comprehend numbers bigger than 1000. Shocking isn't it? But then, when you consider the schooling system, the large class sizes and the pressure to perform in exams, it isn't really surprising.  Our education system is failing most of us - but I will save that rant for another post. You're here because multiplying decimals makes you want to cry and fractions just don't make sense (no matter which way round you write them!) So how can you get better at Maths or at least make it less painful? Is it possible that it will start to make sense and you will at least pass your GCSE and maybe even g...