Exam Board: AQA
The GCSE course continues to develop the skills and understanding learnt during Key Stage 3. Topics are based on the core areas of number, algebra, proportional reasoning, geometry, probability and statistics.
Within all of these areas, pupils will be expected to acquire a set of skills to:
Recall and use their knowledge of the prescribed content
Select and apply mathematical methods in a range of contexts
Interpret and analyse problems and generate strategies to solve them
The latest specification for GCSE includes a greater emphasis on functional skills and problem solving, which, apply the techniques taught in mathematics to the real world. This means an increased focus on problem solving and analytical thinking in the classroom, which runs through the teaching of all of the topics in the course.
Additional Information
GCSE Mathematics will provide an important foundation for many of the courses you may take in employment or further education, and it is a requirement for many university courses. The higher tier course prepares you for A Level study should you choose it in the Sixth Form.
For Maths lessons, you will need to bring the following essential equipment: pen, pencil, ruler, protractor, compasses and scientific calculator.
100% examination. There are two tiers of entry for the final exam; foundation, which covers grades 1–5, and higher which covers grade 4–9. At each level, pupils will sit three exam papers at the end of the course.
At the beginning of Year 10, students will be allocated to a group based primarily on achievement in the Year 9 June assessment.