GCSE Curriculum Guide 2023 📆

As we know, the GCSE grading system completely changed in 2017, but old habits die hard! Many of us still mentally convert the new grading system with the old ones, seeing that we do have more of an understanding of what A’s and B’s represents than a grade 7. Well, it’s important to know which topics correspond with each of those graded levels, making it easier for us to assess our progress (or lack of). Topics are listed below and if you happen to click on them, resources are attached to support you in your revision. Have fun 😊

GCSE Maths Foundation

The foundation papers caps achievable grade at a Grade 5. This means that all subjects that fall under a Grade 6 and above are not relevant to those on a Foundation Tier. This tier allows the possibility for students to still achieve a pass grade having a limited range of content to digest compared to those on a Higher Tier.

Grade 1

Addition and Subtraction

Multiplication and Division

Time

Writing, Simplifying and Ordering Fractions

Place Value

Rounding

Negative Numbers

Powers and Roots

Order of Operations

Factors and Multiples

Coordinates

Pictograms

2D Shapes

Grade 2

Calculation Problems

3D Shapes

Using a Calculator

Systematic Listing

Fractions of an Amount

Fractions, Decimals and Percentages

Simplifying Algebra

Writing an Expression

Function Machines

Solving One Step Equations

Angles

Area and Perimeter

Probability

Frequency Polygons

Averages

Bar Charts

Stem and Leaf

Pie Charts

Reading Scales

Timetables & Distance Tables

Tallies and Charts

Money Problems

Grade 3

Error Intervals

Fractions

Estimation

Collecting Like Terms

Writing and Simplifying Ratio

Ratio

Sharing Ratio

Proportion

Percentages

Percentage Change

Exchange Rates

Conversions and Units

Scale Drawings

Best Buy 

Substitution

Solving Equations

Drawing Graphs

Area and Circumference of Circles

Circles

Transformations

Mixed Transformations 

Area of Compound Shapes

Frequency Trees

Two Way Tables

Grade 4

Compound Interest and Depreciation

Indices

Prime Factors, HCF and LCM

Real Life and Distance Time Graphs

Inequalities

Forming and Solving Equations

Sequences (Nth Term)

Expanding and Factorising

Pythagoras

Angles in Parallel Lines

Angles in Polygons

Surface Area

Volume of Prisms

Cylinders

Loci and Construction

Bearings

Nets, Plans and Elevation

Tree Diagrams

Averages from Frequency Tables

Probability

Scatter Graphs

Grade 5

Writing Ratio as a Fraction or Linear Function

Ratio Fraction Problems

Ratio Problems 

Direct and Inverse Proportion

Reverse Percentages

Standard & Index Form

Speed and Density

Compound Measures

Changing the Subject of a Formula

Expanding and Factorising Quadratics

Solving Quadratics

Drawing Quadratic Graphs

Drawing Other Graphs: Cubic/Reciprocal

Simultaneous Equations

Solving Simultaneous Equations Graphically

Midpoint of a Line Segment

Gradient of a Line

Equation of a Line

Spheres and Cones

Sector Areas and Arc Lengths

Similar Shapes

Trigonometry

Exact trig values

Vectors

Probability Trees

Venn Diagrams

GCSE Maths Higher

On the GCSE Maths Higher paper, a Grade U follows behind a Grade 4. Although, the preceding topics from Grade 1 – 5 are still high likely to pop up on a Higher Paper, meaning a wider range of content to cover in preparation for the exams. The following content therefore bears no relevance to those on the foundation tier. Yet, this does not hinder anyone from delving into these topics, on doing so you may consider yourself to be suitable for the Higher Paper, which can be negotiated with your local school authorities,

Grade 6

Algebraic Proof

Recurring Decimals to Fractions

Converting Recurring Decimals to Fractions

Fractional and Negative Indices

The Product Rule for Counting

Repeated Percentage Change

Expanding Triple Brackets

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Inequalities on Graphs

Similar Shapes (Area and Volume)

Enlarging with Negative Scale Factors

Circle Theorems

Cumulative Frequency

Box Plots

Capture Recapture

Grade 7

Surds

Bounds

Direct and Inverse Proportion

Quadratic Formula

Factorising Harder Quadratics

Algebraic Fractions

Rearranging Harder Formulae

Function Transformations

Trigonometric and Exponential Graphs

Inverse and Composite Functions

Iteration

Finding the Area of Any Triangle

The Sine Rule

The Cosine Rule

Congruent Triangles

3D Pythagoras and Trigonometry

Histograms

Conditional Probability

Stratified Sampling

Grade 8 & 9

Quadratic Simultaneous Equations

Transforming Graphs y = f(x)

Proof

Completing the Square

The Nth Term of a Quadratic Sequence

Quadratic Inequalities

Velocity Time Graphs

Circle Theorem Proofs

Perpendicular Lines and The Equation of a Tangent

Vectors & Vector Proof

Probability Equations