8 Steps how to a grade 7-9 in GCSE Maths 2022

I believe that hard work pays off, and I’m confident that if you are willing to put in the effort, you can definitely get a top grade in maths. Be organised and try to start early… there are well over 300 topics, so begin early. Also, take advantage of all the support around you… your teacher, websites even friends or family can be a great place to turn for help.

Before I carry on with my list of suggestions, I also recommend you consider where and how you revise. There are different revision types, and I believe that you should include all varieties. There will be times when you will be revising as part of a group, such as in revision sessions or with friends. You may be working on past papers or even using revision cards. Talk to your friends, ask questions, listen to what they say, or ask… you can learn a lot by listening to how they approach topics or questions. You may even use your phone/iPad to look up notes, watch Apex Tuition videos, look up Twitter etc… this is all extremely useful.

Then there should be times when you will be working individually on your mathematics revision. Remove yourself from distractions, turn off your phone, work on past papers, or learn the key facts, giving it your full attention. I consistently rate going to the local library as it is a great place to avoid distractions.

Also, be fully equipped to revise… make sure you have paper/notebook/folder to organise your work. It is essential to become familiar with your calculator and what each button does.

Top GCSE Maths Revision Tips from Apex Tuition

1) Start early using a “little and often” approach… perhaps using the 5-questions-a-day model. It is so crucial that you regularly practise the material you have learnt in lessons. The only way to remember what you learned yesterday/last week/last month/previous year is to regularly try questions on those topics. The 5-questions-a-day give you a chance to do that. If you find an issue and you can’t remember how to answer, watch a video on it to remind yourself… if you’re in doubt about what topic it is, just email us admin@apex-tuition.co.uk and ask.

2) Revise Strategically – Ensure you have a list of the topics in the exam… such as those for the GCSE Higher and GCSE Foundation.

Also, establish what topics are your strengths and those that need attention by sitting a mock exam, going through your homework, or even just asking your teacher. Then focus on the topics that need attention…

• watch the Apex Tuition video on the topic

• read the notes your teacher has given you on the topic in your book

• try the Apex Tuition textbook exercises or Practice Questions on the topic and check your answers

• check if there are any “revision sessions” offered in school and ask the teacher in advance if you can work on that topic

• revisit the topic in a few days and also in a few weeks' time to ensure you remember.

3) Past papers, past papers, past papers! Although there will be a tricky question or two every year, the vast majority of a GCSE maths paper is fairly predictable. So by completing a good volume of past papers, you will be fully prepared for the majority of the questions… it will also help you identify what topics are your “weaknesses” and will let you know which videos and practice questions you will need to work on next. Also, with the “problem solving” questions, even though the ones you practise may not come up exactly alike, the skills you apply to solve it when working on past papers will help you prepare for the trickier question(s) in the actual GCSE.

Also, mark your papers using mark schemes/model solutions or even ask your teacher very nicely… perhaps with a chocolate bar attached to thank them for their time!

4) Timings – when you are working on past papers, consider timing yourself to make sure you are working at a good pace. If the exam has 80 marks and is 1 hour 30 minutes long, “a minute a mark” is an excellent rough guideline.

5) Revision Sessions – I highly recommend taking advantage of any opportunities you have in school… who knows, the questions covered in a revision session may be the questions that come up in the actual GCSE.

6) Variety – Mix up your revision, adding in different activities… use the Apex Tuition Revision Cards or the flash revision cards on Quizlet or even make your own! How about making a poster on the cube numbers to add to your bedroom ceiling? How about using window pens to write the Speed, Distance, Time triangle on your window so you can learn while looking out the window? How about baking some cupcakes and icing Pythagoras’ Theorem on them? It’s crucial that you don’t get bored of revision; however, don’t spend too long making posters.

7) Use your lesson time wisely… although you may spend a few hours a week revising mathematics, remember you also have 4 hours of maths lessons each week. Keep 100% focussed on your classes and avoid distractions. Who knows, the moment you decide to chat about something random might be the moment your teacher passes on the most crucial piece of advice ever!

8) Create a cheat sheet – When I get my classes to do a test in September of year 11, I allow them to bring in one sheet of A4 into the exam. They can write anything they want on it, most commonly covered with essential formulae and facts that they need to learn off by heart. A month later, they sit another test, but this time with 1/2 a sheet of A4. A month later, a 1/4 a sheet of A4 and so on. By creating a cheat sheet, you have to consider all the essential facts that you may need… then, as the sheet of paper gets smaller, you have the challenge of learning the material and also removing it from your cheat sheet. It’s a great way to learn lots of information gradually. Also, you will have a handy sheet to bring with you on the walk to school on the day of the actual GCSE.

And if you're planning for the future, why not check out our other blog, how to get an A or A* in A-Level Maths!

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