GCSE maths Beta
Notes
Learn a method, follow a worked example, then try it yourself. Choose Foundation or Higher below. Higher students also need the shared Foundation content.
What does AQA assess?
Know the methods, explain your reasoning and choose mathematics to solve unfamiliar problems. These are three different skills to practise.
| Objective | What to practise | Foundation | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Accurate methods, facts and notation | 50% | 40% |
| AO2 | Mathematical explanation and argument | 25% | 30% |
| AO3 | Choosing, connecting and evaluating methods | 25% | 30% |
These percentages describe a whole tier, not the allocation for every paper or topic. A question can assess more than one objective.
AQA assessment-objective source ยท Checked 16 October 2026.
Foundation notes
21 selected topics
Number
- Signed numbers and order of operationsRead notes
- Fractions and decimalsRead notes
- Powers, roots and standard formRead notes
- Rounding, estimation and error intervalsRead notes
Algebra
- Expressions, expansion and factorisingRead notes
- Linear equations and inequalitiesRead notes
- Straight-line graphsRead notes
- Linear sequencesRead notes
Ratio
- Ratio, sharing and recipesRead notes
- Percentages and changing amountsRead notes
- Rates, units and best buysRead notes
Geometry
- Angles and bearingsRead notes
- Area, circles and volumeRead notes
- Transformations, similarity and congruenceRead notes
- Pythagoras and right-angled trigonometryRead notes
- Plans and elevationsRead notes
- Nets of solidsRead notes
- Surface areaRead notes
Probability
- Probability and expected frequencyRead notes
Statistics
- Averages, frequency tables and rangeRead notes
- Charts, tables and scatter graphsRead notes
Higher notes
18 selected topics
Number
- Surds and fractional indicesRead notes
- Bounds and error intervalsRead notes
- Recurring decimals and exact fractionsRead notes
Algebra
- Quadratics: formula and completing the squareRead notes
- Simultaneous linear and quadratic equationsRead notes
- Algebraic fractions and rearranging formulaeRead notes
- Circle tangents and graph translationsRead notes
- Quadratic sequencesRead notes
- Iteration and numerical solutionsRead notes
Ratio
- Direct and inverse proportion equationsRead notes
- Compound growth, depreciation and reverse changeRead notes
Geometry
- Circle theorems and angle reasonsRead notes
- Non-right-angled trigonometryRead notes
- Similarity: lengths, areas and volumesRead notes
- Vectors and geometric proofRead notes
Probability
- Conditional probability and dependent treesRead notes
Statistics
- Histograms and frequency densityRead notes
- Cumulative frequency and box plotsRead notes