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Are you a GCSE maths student wondering about the new changes in the GCSE maths 9-1 course? In this article, we'll provide you with all the information you need to know about the new maths 9-1 GCSE, including insights into the grading system, how to maximize your grade, and much more.
GCSE maths has come a long way and has been adapted to satisfy the needs of students, teachers and the market alike. For this reason, students' preparation should look a lot different in 2023 than in 2016.
May 2017 was the first time the new maths 9-1 GCSE was examined. A common question that is asked by students and parents is ‘where can I find past papers to practice?’, ‘what are the grade boundaries?’ and 'how can I prepare for the new exam?'
The aim of this post is to examine the syllabus and answer all of these questions.
The new GCSE maths 9-1 syllabus is more challenging and has been designed to test students on their mathematical skills, understanding and application. The exam now consists of three papers, each lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes, with a total of 80 marks per paper.
If you'd like some help preparing for your GCSE exam, why not get a few tutoring sessions with a private maths tutor to help you build your confidence?
The syllabus covers a range of topics including:
- Number: This includes integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
- Algebra: This includes equations, inequalities, graphs, sequences, and formulas.
- Geometry: This includes angles, lines, shapes, Pythagoras, and trigonometry.
- Measures: This includes units of measurement, perimeter, area, volume, and capacity.
- Statistics and probability: This includes data handling, averages, probability, and statistical measures.
The papers
Currently, there is a limited set of papers available for the new maths 9-1 GCSE. Though that doesn't mean that students can work towards mastering the past papers that are available to them at this moment. It is all about making the best of your situation and you must remember that all of the students that you will be going up against are in the same boat as you!
At present, there are five years of past exam papers available to students for the 9-1 GCSE exam papers. Knowing these papers inside and out by the time your exam approaches will help you to land one of the highest grades achievable in the paper.
One of the best tips for students that feel limited in the material that they have at their disposal for GCSE maths is to consider using mock exam papers in their preparations. Given that there are on average two different mock papers provided to school each year about halfway through the academic calendar you will now have approximately 15 papers to study from.
Of course, the official 9-1 GCSE maths papers should be your priority as these are the most accurate depiction of what might appear in 2023.
Take your maths study home with you over the holidays with Christmas maths problems.
The Different Tiers of the 9-1 Maths Exam
Grade 9 is now the highest you can get, followed by grade 8 and so on. The foundational tier is for grades 5–1, while the upper tier is for grades 9–4. Your child should be aware of whether they are taking the upper or foundation tier paper because the content for each is different. If they are unsure of their entry tier, they might inquire with their school instructor.
Students should finish all the sample paper sets for each of the exam boards because there are only 5 prior exams for this exam.
The mathematical content in each exam board is broadly the same as the style of questions despite small differences. It’s all maths! There are 3 exams in each sample set; 2 calculators and 1 non-calculator. This is the same structure that your child’s Maths GCSE will be.
It is also important to focus on these sample papers instead of the past papers for the old GCSE because of the new content that was introduced in the 2017 GCSE that is not in the old papers.
The style of questions is also very different. Instead of practising from past papers, I would advise a combination of sample papers, and the 9-1 GCSE Edexcel textbook which can be found with a simple google or amazon search.
we can't stress enough how important it is to have a book that is jam-packed with questions in the new style for every subject and answers in the back—many schools haven't yet embraced this book. In our opinion, it is best used in combination with a tutor and a revision guide that has clear explanations and is specific to your exam board (CGP for example).
If you are based in Glasgow you can find out about tutoring options and hire a maths tutor here.
Grade boundaries
What percentage do you need to achieve a grade 9 in maths GCSE? How about a grade 5? These questions are difficult to answer and school teachers giving vague non-committal answers to these questions are doing so because we can only really guess at this point.
No one knows exactly what the grade boundaries are - it will depend on how complex the papers are that are given in the summer. Having said this, we do have some clues from the government as to how many students will receive each grade, which means anyone can predict what grade they are currently working at and what grade they are likely to achieve on a 9-1 scale.
You should take time and familiarise yourself with the different GCSE grade brackets.
Using past papers, we can calculate what grade you are currently at
To predict accurately what grade you or your child is currently at, they can complete 3 past papers from their exam board and work out their grade from the grade boundaries for that paper.
You can find grade boundaries for the specific papers you have completed on the exam board website.
Once you have the grades for those 3 papers, you can match them to the number grade by using the image above. Bear in mind that if your child gets a C, that will equate to a high 4 or a low 5. A high C will be a grade 5, and a low C will be a grade 4 (the bottom 66% to be exact according to Ofqual and Edexcel board). So most students achieving a C on the old paper will achieve a grade 4 on the new paper.
In addition to using past papers to see where your child is at, I have brought together analysis from maths teachers from different schools to come up with predicted grade boundaries for the Edexcel 9-1 sample papers:
Higher Tier
Level, % (marks out of 80)
9 91% (73)
8 79% (63)
7 64% (52)
6 53% (43)
5 41% (33)
4 30% (24)
Foundation Tier
Level % (marks out of 80)
5 78% (63)
4 67% (54)
3 56% (45
Although I had a lot of fun making these grade boundaries and would love for you to use them to grade your own sample papers, take the results with a pinch of salt as they are predictions based on sample sizes of individual schools which is small compared to the number of students there are in the UK.
Good luck and happy exam preparations!
Find an expert maths tutor in Belfast with Superprof.
How to be successful in your 9-1 GCSE maths exam
Once you have an understanding of how the course is structured, the 9-1 grading system that is used, and the level that you are sitting, you should begin setting your sights on the grade that you are looking to achieve in your 2023 GCSE maths exam.
There are an array of different methods that you can try to employ in order to improve your grade in the GCSE maths exam. While the majority of these methods will enjoy a positive correlation in the grade that you attain in the exams, in situations where time is constrained like when you are studying for an exam it is important to be selective with your study time.
It is crucial for maths students to be careful with how they spend their time during the run-up to their exams. You will need to understand your learner style and, more importantly, what study methods work for you.
Most students only find out how to study towards the end of their time as a student, unfortunately, this is often too late. The truth is studying is a skill just like any other, knowing where to prioritise your time and how to best retain information is vital if you aim to succeed in your GCSE maths exam.
As a maths student preparing for your GCSEs, it is important that you invest your study time in the methods that return the greatest improvement in your grades. While all forms might have some benefit certain kinds of study will prepare you for the exam best.
Let’s be real, we all want to open our GCSE grade envelope and see a grade 9 next to mathematics, but what can we do to maximise our chances of getting there?
Practice is one of the most crucial things you can do to get ready for your GCSE math exam. There are numerous options for doing this, including utilising online resources, buying a revision book, or even going to a tuition facility.
Remembering the order of BIDMAS can be difficult make sure to learn it.
What are the benefits of the new GCSE maths 9-1?
The new GCSE maths 9-1 has been designed to better prepare students for further study and employment. The syllabus is more rigorous and challenging, ensuring that students have a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and are able to apply these concepts to real-world problems.
The new GCSE maths 9-1 also provides a better foundation for students who wish to pursue further study in maths, such as A-level maths or maths-related subjects at university. The emphasis on problem-solving, reasoning and communication will also help students develop skills that are in high demand by employers.
What are the challenges of the new GCSE maths 9-1?
The new GCSE maths 9-1 is more challenging than the previous syllabus, which may make it more difficult for some students to achieve a high grade. The increased emphasis on problem-solving, reasoning and communication may also be a challenge for some students who are not used to this type of assessment.
In addition, the new GCSE maths 9-1 may require more time and effort from teachers to deliver the syllabus effectively. The new syllabus is more demanding and requires teachers to ensure that their students have a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and are able to apply these concepts to real-world problems.
Even the most prepared students can make mistakes on the Maths 9-1 GCSE. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Not reading the question carefully: Make sure you understand exactly what the question is asking before you start answering.
- Forgetting formulas and equations: Practice memorizing the key formulas and equations you'll need to use on the exam.
- Relying too heavily on calculators: While calculators can be a useful tool, it's important to have a strong foundation in mental maths as well.
- Focusing too much on memorization: While it's important to know the key concepts and formulas, the Maths 9-1 GCSE also tests your ability to apply that knowledge in real-world situations.
More tried and tested techniques for the 2023 maths exam
Regular practice will improve your performance on test day if you put in the time and effort to do so. This makes perfect sense right? You will be so used to working through exam papers under time pressure and it will also ensure that it is not the first time you see many of the questions that feature in your paper.
Don't be afraid to complete these past papers if you are practising at home. Reaching out to one of the mathematics tutors in your area is a great way to restate any of your concerns.
Just inform your maths tutor that you are studying at GCSE level and the grade that you are looking to achieve and they will be able to prepare your lessons accordingly!
Knowing the topics you are being evaluated on is another important piece of advice. These ideas will probably be covered in class by your teacher, but it is also a good idea to do some reading outside of the classroom. By doing this, you may be certain that you comprehend all of the exam's requirements.
Using the Superprof website you will be able to find maths teachers that are more than capable of helping you to prepare for your GCSE exams. You should have little difficulty finding one either near where you live or available online via webcam.
The last thing you want is your nerves going against all of the hard work that you carried out in preparation for the exam!
Tips for Success
To achieve success in Maths 9-1 GCSE, it's important to develop good study habits and strategies. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the exam:
- Start early: Maths requires regular practice and repetition, so it's important to start studying early and stick to a consistent schedule.
- Focus on your weaknesses: Identify the areas of Maths where you struggle the most and focus your efforts on improving in those areas.
- Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice, the more confident and comfortable you'll feel on exam day. Make use of past papers and online resources to get as much practice as possible.
- Work with others: Collaborating with classmates or finding a tutor can be a great way to get additional help and support.
- Manage your time: During the exam, it's important to manage your time effectively and prioritize the questions that you feel most confident in answering.
Discover affordable maths tuition near me here on superprof.
Alternatively, on the Superprof website enter your postcode and Superprof will show you GCSE Maths tutors in your area, with the top-rated tutors!
Find a tutor for your 9-1 GCSE maths exam with Superprof
If you are looking to get the maximum grade possible in your GCSE 9-1 exam then availing of a tutor is certainly the best way to go about this. There are countless tutors scattered around the UK that are more than capable of coaching you through the course and instructing you on how to maximise your performance in the exam hall on the big day.
The steps you should take to pursue your desired mathematical grade can also be advised by a tutor. Along with helping you choose a college, a private tutor can give students the essential advice they need on how to study GCSE-level maths and ensure they meet the entry requirements.
In the Superprof community, there are millions of tutors from all over the world. There are several higher-level math professors available for UK students who want to maximize their grades and overall points for their college applications.
If you need assistance with some of the more difficult parts of the new 9-1 maths course, you can certainly rely on Superprof. To meet your specific needs, you can choose from tutors with a variety of qualifications.
Additionally, the platform gives students some flexibility in how they learn. Students have the choice of learning "in person" or "remotely," either at the tutor's or student's home or over the internet.
This makes learning maths all the more accessible for students who operate busy schedules and are balancing their preparations with a host of other GCSE subjects at the same time.
Why not try it out and get started on your path to ace the GCSE maths paper right away? Many of the 9-1 math instructors on the platform provide their first session for free.
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