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The 10 topics that show up in almost every GCSE Maths paper

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GCSE Maths: Top 10 Topics

Across AQA, Edexcel and OCR, these come up on nearly every paper. Get comfortable with these first.

1

Fractions, decimals & percentages

Especially converting between them and percentage change (increase/decrease, reverse percentages). Almost always worth several marks in the non-calculator paper.

2

Solving & rearranging equations

Linear equations, then rearranging formulae to change the subject. Examiners love multi-step versions of this on higher-mark questions.

3

Expanding & factorising

Single and double brackets, and factorising quadratics. This underpins a huge share of the algebra paper, so gaps here cost marks everywhere else.

4

Simultaneous equations

Both linear and linear-quadratic (higher tier). A classic 4-5 mark question that's very learnable once you know the method cold.

5

Ratio & proportion

Sharing in a ratio, best buy problems, and direct/inverse proportion. Common in real-world context questions worth extra marks for clear working.

6

Angles & circle theorems

Angle rules in polygons and parallel lines every year, plus circle theorems on higher tier. Diagrams-with-reasons questions are easy marks if you know the vocabulary examiners want.

7

Pythagoras & trigonometry

Right-angled triangles (SOHCAHTOA), then the sine/cosine rules on higher tier. Reliably appears on every paper in some form.

8

Area, perimeter & volume

Compound shapes, circles, prisms and cylinders. Watch for questions that mix units, a very common way marks get dropped.

9

Graphs & sequences

Straight-line graphs (y = mx + c), quadratic graphs, and nth-term rules for linear and quadratic sequences.

10

Probability & statistics

Tree diagrams, conditional probability (higher), and interpreting averages/spread from tables and charts. Usually one full question dedicated to this.

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