Analysis of the first 50 marks on GCSE higher maths papers

Towards the end of last school year (2012-13), the great members of the KSA maths department did an analysis of the topics coming up in the first 50 marks in GCSE maths higher papers. We looked through a stack of Edexcel and AQA papers from the last few years. Here are our results (interpret them with caution!)

Non-calculator

Noncalc
Trends

  1. Increase in the proportion of algebra questions
  2. Decrease in the proportion of number questions

Breakdown

Topic Sub-topic Frequency
Number Four operations with fractions 4
Percentages 3
Estimation 2
Standard form 2
Sharing into a ratio 2
Algebra Solving equations 8
Forming equations 6
Expanding brackets 3
Factorising 3
Substitution 3
Geometry Transformations

  • Reflections
  • Rotations
  • Enlargement
  • Translations
83
2
2
1
Angle rules – mainly parallel lines 6
Interior/exterior angles 4
Area (Parallelogram/compound) 4
Circles (Area/circumference) 3
Statistics Probability (Theoretical and experimental) 5
Scatter diagrams 2

Calculator Paper

Calc
Trends

  1. Increase in proportion of geometry questions
  2. Decreases in the proportion of algebra and statistics questions

Breakdown

Topic Sub-topic Frequency
Number Percentages (Amount. Increase/decrease, reverse) 7
Money problems 4
Ratio 3
Types of number 3
Algebra Solving equations 9
Forming expressions 5
Expanding brackets 4
Substitution 3
Inequalities 3
Geometry Area (triangles) 6
Angles (Triangles, at a point) 4
Bearings 3
Circles 3
Statistics Probability 6
Averages 4
Questionnaires 2

 

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