Mathematics (GCSE)

Exam Board: Edexcel

Course Overview:

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 to 1) in Mathematics is a tiered qualification. There are two tiers:

• Foundation tier - grades 1 to 5 available

• Higher tier - grades 4 to 9 available (grade 3 allowed in exceptional circumstances)

• 100% terminal assessment

The assessment for each tier of entry consists of three externally examined papers all three must be from 

the same tier of entry. Students must complete all three papers in the same assessment series.

Course Content:

Overview of content: Number, Algebra, Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change, Geometry and Measures, 

Probability and Statistics.

Assessment Structure:

Paper 1:  Weighting 33.33% of the total GCSE. 

Overview of assessment:

• Written examination papers with a range of question types

• No calculator is allowed

• 1 hour and 30 minutes (both Foundation and Higher tier papers)

• 80 marks available

Paper 2:  Weighting 33.33% of the total GCSE.

Overview of assessment:

• Written examination papers with a range of question types

• Calculator allowed

• 1 hour and 30 minutes (both Foundation and Higher tier papers)

• 80 marks available

Paper 3:  Weighting 33.33% of the total GCSE.

Overview of assessment:

• Written examination papers with a range of question types

• No calculator is allowed

• 1 hour and 30 minutes (both Foundation and Higher tier papers)

• 80 marks available

Career Prospects and Transferable Skills:

GCSE Maths is an essential qualification to have. It's a benchmark qualification for further education and a host of employment opportunities. Maths underpins so many parts of our lives from adding up the total of our shopping to the engineering behind our cars and our computers. Just as languages provide the building blocks and rules we need to communicate, Maths uses its own language, made up of numbers, symbols and formulas, to explore the rules we need to measure or identify essential problems like distance, speed, time, space, change, force and quantities. Studying Maths helps us find patterns and structure in our lives. Practically, Maths helps us put a price on things, create graphics, build websites, build skyscrapers and generally understand how things work or predict how they might change over time and under different conditions. Studying Maths helps you develop skills in logical thinking and statistical or strategic knowledge, which are valued by employers across many job sectors for example:

• Actuarial analyst • Actuary

• Aerospace engineer • Business analyst

• Chartered accountant • Data analyst

• Forensic accountant • Insurance underwriter

• Investment analyst • Investment banker

• Meteorologist • Operational researcher

• PPC specialist • Quantity surveyor

• Research scientist (maths) • Secondary school teacher

• Software tester • Statistician

• Stockbroker • Leadership roles across all sectors

Further Information: Andrea Ogunbameru (Director of Mathematics) - email: andrea.ogunbameru@scwa.org.uk