MATHS GCSE
REVISION GUIDE FOR STUDENTS
Y11 2014‐15
Maths Revision for Y11
Maths revision is all about practice. This is why, once a fortnight you are completing a GCSE
paper for homework, marking it in class and then improving from your mistakes using
MathsWatch.
Complete a GCSE paper
for homework
Practice questions from
the linked worksheet Mark the paper in
on MathsWatch so that class, using model
you don't make the answers
same mistakes again.
Use the analysis sheet
to improve your mark. Analyse your paper ‐
Pick 3 questions to where did you lose
watch the related video your marks?
on mathswatch.
MathsWatch details
Google mathswatch – it is the first link: [Link]
Centre ID: bicester
Username: your complete school email address
Password: bccmaths
Other useful resources
You have all been given a revision guide and workbook, directly linked to your maths
exam with everything you need to know. If you complete all the pages in this by June,
you will be well-prepared for the exams.
You can use MyMaths for extra practice:
o Login: bicester
o Password: parallel
There are many other useful websites and apps, which are free. Here are just a few of
them
o [Link]/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/: This has notes, examples, interactive
solutions and questions for you to have a go at yourself. Each question has its level next
to it, and you can even download a big revision check-list to make sure you there will be
no nasty surprises in the exam.
o [Link] A fantastic set of videos taking you step by step through
GCSE and A Level topics
o [Link]: Another excellent collection of clearly presented videos
which will undoubtedly help you with your revision
o [Link]: A really nice set of GCSE notes and worked examples. Arm
yourself with a pen and paper, click through the presentations, and try to solve the
questions. You will then be taken step-by-step through how to arrive at the answer.
Exam tips for all students
Read the question!
This is not wasted time. Read the whole question once to get a rough idea what it is about. Then read it again
from the beginning - slowly. It is a good idea to tick off each line, including information in diagrams. Do not start
until you are sure you thoroughly understand what is asked.
Be Accurate!
Again, read the question! If it asks for 2 decimal places or 3 significant figures, then that is what it wants. Before
going on to the next question, check you answer with the original question.
Materials
Use tracing paper for rotating shapes – you have to ASK for this in the exam.
Probability
Simply check that your answer is between 1 and 0; and of course, there are no negative values.
The Mean
Common sense here! Check that the number is not silly - too high/too low, and that it is between the highest and
lowest values, and not outside them.
Rounding
Don't round up calculator display numbers unnecessarily. If you do this and the calculation has a number of
stages, you final answer will be incorrect.
Pythagoras
Look at your answer. You should never get a length longer than the hypotenuse.
Writing your answers
1. write neat enough for someone to read your answers easily
2. show all working
3. use words to describe your calculations and conclusions
4. where space is tight, draw a vertical line and work either side of it, rather than sprawl work across a page
Be prepared!
Have pens and sharpened pencils at the ready. Don't use pens that leak or ones with broad tips. By the same
measure, don't use untried new pens. They may let you down. Use a pen that you know is reliable.
Write clearly!
You might be the next Einstein or Dirac but unless you write clearly we will never know! Anything the examiner
cannot read he/she cannot mark. If you are a poor writer, take the time to write neatly.
The Exam
Do not work late the night before, but do get up early to go through your final revision notes
Revise right up to the point when you are told to come into the exam room, but please do not bring any revision
materials into the exam room itself. Leave them in your bag outside.
Go through the paper quickly reading or scanning it to get an idea of what is asked.
Work your way through the paper. If you find any question particularly formidable, do not carry on with it. Come
back to it later. You will lose valuable time being bogged down with one question. Get some easy marks in the bag
first.
When you have finished do not sit arms folded looking up at the ceiling! You will not have scored 100%! There are
some marks still to be had. Spend every last minute going through the paper carefully looking for errors. Trust
me. There will be some!
There only remains for me to say good luck. But exams have little to do with luck. If you have done the work and
revised thoroughly, you will undoubtedly do well. The fact that you are reading this shows your intent. So don't
look at exams as impossible hurdles to jump. Look at them as opportunities for you to shine and show everyone
just what you can do!
Tips for students aiming for a B or above
Simultaneous Equations
The answers to exam questions tend to be nice rounded numbers. If they have a decimal, it is usually ends in .5,
but these are rare. Answers with a line of decimals are probably wrong, so check for errors.
Inverse % questions
These are 'backward looking' problems. With current values given in the question, you have to calculate some
original value before the decrease/increase occurred. Again, the answers tend to be rounded numbers. If you get a
train of decimals, check back in your working.
Quadratic Equations
A question asking for significant figures or decimal places indicates you should use the quadratic formula.
Trigonometry
Common sense here - look out for silly answers. Again, lengths should not be longer than the hypotenuse.
