How to maximise your GCSE maths result

Maximising your GCSE maths result is essential not only for access to A-Levels but also for university and beyond. While revision is fundamental, so too are several other elements, and it's these that will make all the difference between a low and high mark.

You have to have a positive maths mindset

Having a positive maths mindset is everything when it comes to maximising your results. If you feel you are innately bad at maths or you don't have a maths brain, then you need to work on changing your view. Nothing will hinder your grade more than having negative thoughts about your ability.

Thankfully maths is a subject that rewards hard work. Which means if you revise, practice, and get the support you need (speak to your teacher or a maths tutor) you will get better at it.

You need to be practising daily to get ahead

Maths revision has to be about more than revising your notes. The practice is critical here, because, unlike other subjects, you need more than a good memory to do well in maths.

Past papers are your ticket to practising and a better mark. Start by trying examination questions and papers but ultimately work towards doing these papers in timed conditions.

Try to work through them without referring to a revision guide or your notes, as the whole point is to see how much you can remember. With each past paper you do, you are potentially increasing your grade by a small percentage.

Also, get into the practice of checking your answers and looking for mistakes that will cost you marks. If you do this every time you do a practice paper, you will become adept at finding these in your actual GCSE paper.

Past papers will also help you to identify your areas of weaknesses. Keep a list of these areas handy and practise them over and over until you know them as it's these weaknesses that will stop you from attaining the highest mark possible.

You need to revise the whole maths specification

Math is a cumulative subject so you can't miss any of the building blocks or you will have gaps that will cost you marks. This means, learn your basic arithmetic to help you will pick up the more advanced concepts. As ever, it's all too easy to work to your strengths, thinking these will make up for the areas you are weak in. However, you need to know how to do it all, so ask for help if you need it.

To ensure you cover everything, list every single topic from your maths specification and do practice questions until you feel confident about the topic and sub-topic. Then tick it off your list and move on.

Above all remember, it's never too late to tackle concepts you don't understand. A teacher or a maths tutor can help here and potentially help you raise your grade significantly, so do seek them out.

If you're looking for more revision tips, look at our blog posts on the Top GCSE Maths Resources and How to pass maths GCSE.