How to revise for Maths GCSE Higher Tier

8th April 2025 by Anita Naik

Revising for Maths GCSE higher-tier requires extra revision time, so start by factoring more slots into your timetable. Even if you're adept at the subject, daily practice on the more advanced topics is key to securing an 8 or 9 come results day.

What can you expect from the higher-tier exam?

Expect three exam papers (usually set by exam boards like AQA, Edexcel, and OCR), including two calculator papers and one * non-calculator paper. Each paper is 1 hour 30 minutes (the time varies slightly by board).

Students aiming for grades 6-9 and those planning to study A-Level Maths. In 2024, a record 100,052 UK students took A-level Mathematics, an 11.3% increase from the previous year, making it the most popular A-level subject, so you will need at least a 6 in higher-tier GCSE Maths to study at the advanced level.

How to revise Maths higher-tier exam

To improve at maths, you need to spend as much time as possible attempting to answer questions that will help you practice applying your knowledge. What helps is to:

Step one: Use active recall: Test yourself without notes first, then check your answers when covering each subject.

Step two: Use spaced repetition: Revise each topic 2-3 times a week (e.g., Monday: algebra, Tuesday: trigonometry, etc.).

Step three: Use past exam paper questions for each topic.

Step four: Track errors (e.g., forgot to simplify fractions) each time you do past paperwork to minimise easy mistakes.

Step five: Add past papers to your revision, as this will get you used to the marking scheme and how questions are asked and improve your exam time management. Try 1-2 full papers each week under timed conditions

Step six: Learn to interpret how the mark schemes work so you understand how you have lost and gained marks. This way, you can improve both your examination technique and maximise marks in the actual exam.

Step seven: Learn to read questions clearly and consider what you're being asked. If the question says, ' Show why,' the examiner is looking for deeper reasoning and understanding of a concept. The question wants you to explain the reasoning behind a mathematical answer or fact, using mathematical steps and providing clear, logical reasoning.

5 Troubleshooting Tips for Maths Revision

1. Is it a technique issue?

Are you someone who has revised all the topics yet hasn't scored well in past papers? If so, it's likely that the examination technique is the issue, and you need to incorporate the exam technique into your maths revision. This means not just doing past papers but taking time to read and think about the questions asked. Once you have done this, look at the mark scheme, which breaks the question up. For example, mark 1 is for X, and mark 2 is for X and Y. Once you can see what's being asked, summarise the question as part of your revision and then answer it in line with the marks scheme.

2. Are you revising the non-negotiables?

Certain topics will always be "non-negotiables" when revising for GCSE Maths at the higher tier. These topics and questions appear frequently in exams and underpin the harder questions. Knowing these is essential if you want to secure a Grade 6 or beyond.

They include:

Complex algebra: To revise practice 5-10 equation-solving questions a day. Focus on multi-step problems and watch for sign errors and misapplied formulas (e.g., quadratic formula).

Trigonometry: To revise practice diagrams. Label angles/sides before applying rules. Prioritise multi-part questions.

Advanced Geometry: To revise draw theorems, use flashcards to test definitions. Combine geometry with algebra to tackle the advanced questions.

Calculus: To revise focus on power rules and applied problems. Identify and avoid common mistakes.

Probability/statistics: To revise use real-world examples. Memorise formulas with flashcards.

3. Are you being clear with your written work?

Clear handwriting and a structured breakdown of questions are key to securing high marks. If your writing is difficult to read or messy, examiners could miss awarding you key marks. Practice showing your calculations in a step-by-step methodical way, making it easier for examiners to follow your work.

4. Are you using revision resources?Using maths revision resources is essential for mastering complex topics efficiently and effectively.

Firstly, they give you a structured way of learning. Resources like textbooks, videos, and worksheets break difficult concepts (e.g., calculus, trigonometry) into manageable steps and follow the curriculum order (e.g., algebra before calculus) to build foundational knowledge first.

Secondly, they give you targeted questions and drills to reinforce your problem-solving skills. This prepares you for how questions are phrased in exams (e.g., multi-step trigonometry problems).

Practice tests will highlight gaps and weak areas in your revision, saving time. There will also be ready-made exercises with model answers.

Top GCSE maths resources are:

* Corbett Maths - good for worksheets + videos.

* MathsGenie - suitable for past papers by topic

* Dr Frost Maths - great for interactive questions

* ExamSolutions - excellent for step-by-step tutorials

* Hegarty Maths - excellent for guided revision

5. Ask for help

According to sources, Maths is one of the hardest GCSEs to achieve a 9 or 8. However, a meta-analysis of 35 studies on tutoring concluded that one-on-one tutoring can be effective in increasing student achievement. On average, students who received tutoring showed a 35 percentile-point increase in academic performance.

A good maths tutor can help break down the revision of complex problems and formulas, making them easier to understand. They can also guide you through revision tips, homework and exam preparation by offering immediate feedback and additional practice.

Help can also come from teachers, peers and peer revision groups.