How to pass the GCSE Maths exam

With exams on the horizon, preparing for a GCSE maths exam can feel daunting and challenging for both students and parents.  

As a parent, you want to help and support your child as much as possible without feeling the burden or responsibility to teach. Estia Tuition compliments preparation that happens in school, seeks to fill learning gaps and integrates a solid revision schedule for your child. 

With exams, there is no one size fits all approach to studying. Whether your child is a natural numbers whiz or someone who takes a while to navigate algebra, Estia Tuition’s comprehensive assessment understands the level your child is at and designs a Study Plan that will make them feel confident and prepared for the exam through appropriate lesson materials and supportive 1-2-1 tuition. 

Estia Tuition teachers have shared their tips for students on how to pass the GCSE maths exam below:  

Familiarise yourself with the exam format  

Before you begin revising, ensure you know the exam format, such as the types of questions asked, the language used and the time allocation for each section. Planning for the exam format will help your revision structure and practice in a more effective and focused way.  

Practice, practice & practice again! 

 For many, Maths is a subject you get better at through practice. The more practice you do, the better you will become at identifying the types of problems, methods, formulas, and ways to approach different questions. Ultimately, as it becomes second nature, you will enjoy solving problems more and more as you go on.   

Estia Tuition has a specific GCSE maths module to support your practice. The module includes step-by-step lessons, bitesize assignments to test knowledge and retention, plus 1-2-1 tuition. 

Review your basic concepts  

Make sure not to get too ahead of yourself when sitting down to revise maths topics. Start by testing your comfort level with basic concepts and rules of maths. Overcomplicating revision is never the correct approach. It will make you second guess your progress and hamper your confidence. 

For example, problems like algebraic equations, geometry, fractions, decimals, percentages, and data analysis all have systems for solving. If you are comfortable with the basics, you can handle more complex tasks as you progress confidently. 

Revise our free lessons on YouTube from our teaching team to help you kick your revision off in the right way. 

Use visual aids  

Maths is a very visual subject, so use this to your advantage. This is especially true if you are a visual learner. A helpful tip is to draw formulas for problem-solving, diagrams, graphs, or charts to help you understand concepts better. 

Practice drawing diagrams to help you solve the problems and use visual aids to help you remember the formulas and rules.  

Get help when you feel like you need it  

If you are struggling with a concept or specific problem, ask for help. You can ask your teacher at school, tutor or parents, or consider pairing up with friends to create a supportive study group for help.  

Our students receive 1-2-1 tuition for more personalised and consistent study help. 

Time management  

Managing your time effectively during the exam is essential, so this must be practised during revision. Test yourself regularly. Ensure you allocate enough time to each section and leave enough time to check your paper for silly mistakes and corrections.  

Practising under timed conditions is a great way to get used to the maths GCSE exam format. 

Stay positive  

Finally, and most importantly – stay positive and confident! Believe in yourself and your ability. Try to maintain a positive attitude and as the exam day gets closer, practice a nightly routine so you can get a good sleep and plan your morning so that you can arrive for the exam calm and prepared. 

“You have put in the effort to succeed, and trusting your efforts will help you stay focused and motivated.” – Teacher Manager, Wendy Watts 

 Estia Tuition’s maths GCSE exam course provides a structure for revision. It also provides parents with a dashboard to monitor progress to help you best support your child. If you are asking yourself the following questions: 

• How do I know what maths tuition is suitable for my children?  
• What maths topics will they need help with, and how might I know if these are the same ones they cover at school?  
• Is Estia Tuition aligned with the UK national curriculum and exam boards my children will be sitting?  
• How can I feel reassured my children are performing well ahead of exams?  

Estia Tuition is an innovative blended learning programme that includes an online study plan with 1-2-1 tuition for children 5-16. We provide a flexible and engaging educational experience, giving your child access to the best tuition and best opportunities beyond their GCSEs. 

Our experienced teachers use various teaching methods and resources to ensure that each child can reach their full potential and achieve their academic goals.   

Why not discuss this in a free personal assessment with one of our experienced Course Tutors?  

Good luck with your maths GCSE exam revision, Estia Tuition wishes students success in exams and beyond!