About your maths course

You need to know you syllabus and which exam board publishes it. Below are notes on the four main UK exam boards and the new syllabuses for those starting their GCSEs in year 10.

There are now just two tiers - foundation (grades up to D) and higher (grades C - A*). There is no coursework.

Topics are divided into three main categories:
Number and Algebra (these can be split between papers)
Shape, Space and Measures
Handling Data.

OCR

GCSE Mathematics A
Two-tier specification . 100% of the marks are given for the final exam - 2 papers, one without calculator.

GCSE Mathematics B

Assessed through two question papers (one modular - which can be taken earlier in the course - and one terminal) which together contribute 100% of the final marks.

GCSE Mathematics C (Graduated Assessment)

Assessed through question papers (two modular from a choice of ten and one terminal) which together contribute 100% of the final marks. The ten modules available, M1 to M10, target a specific grade or grades. These range from G and below for M1 up to A* for M10. Candidates usually take three modules from which the best two results are counted - in January and June of Year 10 and in March of Year 11.

AQA

The following two specifications are for the new courses starting in Autumn 2007. There is no coursework component. Examinations can be taken in June and/or November. If you are now in year 11 studying the second year of your GCSE Maths, you'll be taking the old specification with coursework which I don't mention here - I'm assuming that you know all the necessary details by now!

Specification A. This is one of two Mathematics specifications offered by
AQA. Specification A is a traditional linear scheme (not modular). Maths A 4306.

2 Papers of, each 50% of the total marks. Use of a calculator is not allowed in paper 1.
Higher tier papers last 2 hours, foundation last 1.30.

Marks are out of 100 and are distributed as follows:
Number and Algebra: 50 - 55
Shape, space and measures: 25 - 30
Handling data: 18 - 22

50% of questions will be set for the lowest 2 tiers, 25 - 30% for the higher tiers and the rest cover both tiers.

Specification B is modular and is suitable for both pre-16 and post-16 candidates.
• There are two tiers of assessment, Foundation (C - G) and Higher (A* -D).
Three papers, one for each of the three modules called (don't ask why!) modules 1, 3 and 5.
Module 5 is the last (terminal) paper.
Module 1 18% of total mark; 2 x 30 minute papers - Handling data
Module 3 27% of total mark; 2 x 45 minute papers - Mainly Number (some Algebra for higher tier)
Module 5 55% of total mark; 2 x 75 minute papers - Algebra, Shape, Space and Measures (foundation tier also includes some Number).

Modules 1 and 3 are available in June, November and March, Module 5 in June and November only.

Edexcel

Maths 1380 - linear - Starting Autumn 2007. No coursework. Two terminal papers of 50% each lasting 1.30 each for foundation tier and 1.45 each for higher tier.

Maths 2381- modular - starting Autumn 2007. No coursework.
Two terminal papers (50% of total marks). Foundation tier - 1 hour each, Higher tier - 1.10 each.
Three modular papers taken throughout the course in either June, November or March. 2 x 30 minutes and 1 x 40 minutes. All papers split between calculator and non-calculator questions.

If you're in year 10, you should be studying for one of the above - ask your teacher just to make sure. If in year 11, you may be taking a coursework option. Make sure you know!

WEJC

Maths - linear - Starting Autumn 2007. No coursework. Two terminal papers of 50%.