1. Final exam tips for use immediately before the exam
GCSE Maths Foundation
Final exam tips for use immediately before the exam

2. Students always forget to divide by 2
GSCE EXAM TIPS
1 Area of a triangle
Area = ( base x vertical height ) ÷ 2
Area = (4 x 6) ÷ 2 = 12 𝑐𝑚 2
6 cm
Students always forget to divide by 2
4cm

3. GSCE EXAM TIPS 2 BIDMAS Don’t be caught out by BIDMAS
1 + 2 x 5 = Do the multiplication first
When 𝑦= 5 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 4𝑦 2
4 x = 4 x 25 = 100
Square y before multiplying by 4

4. GSCE EXAM TIPS 3 Reciprocals This simply means “1 divided by”
Reciprocal of 2 = 1 2
Reciprocal of 4 = 1 4

5. GSCE EXAM TIPS 4 Differences In Maths differences are always POSITIVE
Difference between 8 and 5 = 3
Difference between - 3 and – 8 = 5

6. GSCE EXAM TIPS 5 The Range
The range of a set of data is just one number
Find the range of , 6 , 8 , 2 , 10
Range = biggest value - smallest value
= 10 – 2 = 8
Correct answer is 8 do not write 10 – 2 as your final answer

7. GSCE EXAM TIPS
6 Stem and Leaf Diagrams
Remember to include a key

8. GSCE EXAM TIPS 7 Bearings
Bearings are angles measured CLOCKWISE from NORTH using 3 figures
Bearing of O from A is 040˚
Bearing of A from O is 220˚

9. GSCE EXAM TIPS 8 Ordering decimals 0.3 0.03 0.299 0.33
Put the following decimals in ASCENDING order
It is useful to put in extra noughts to ensure all numbers have the same number of digits after the decimal point
Correct order

10. GSCE EXAM TIPS 9 Time 5mins 1 hour 20 mins 9:55 10:00 11:00 11:20
When asked to find differences between times use a counting on method
Find difference between 9:55 am and 11:20am 1 hour 25 minutes
Use a counting on method
5mins 1 hour 20 mins
9: : :00 11:20
DO NOT TRY TO SUBTRACT AS NORMAL
11:20
- 9 :55
This will give you the incorrect answer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11. GSCE EXAM TIPS
10 Ratio
Alice and Bob share some money in the ratio 1:3
What fraction of money does Alice get ?
Total of 4 ratios. Alice has 1 ratio
Alice gets of the money
The common incorrect answer is 1 3

12. GSCE EXAM TIPS 11 Probability
A bag contains 3 red , 3 blue and 4 green counters. I pick one at random find the probability I pick a red counter
Answer 3 10
Do not write answer as a ratio
3:10 is incorrect

13. GSCE EXAM TIPS 12 Speed Distance Time
A racing car travels 60 miles in 30 minutes , find its average speed in miles per hour. Units have to be in hours so we need to change 30minutes to 0.5 hours
Speed = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 = = 120 miles per hour
Common mistake 60 ÷30=2

14. GSCE EXAM TIPS 13 Decimals 0.2 x 0.3 = 0.06 common mistake 0.6

15. GSCE EXAM TIPS
14 Median
Make sure numbers are in order before you calculate the median
Find median of , 7 , 1 , 5 , 1
In order , 1 , 4 , 5 , 7
Correct answer 4
Common mistake 1

16. GSCE EXAM TIPS 15 Prime Factors
Express 24 as a product of its prime factors, give answer in index form
This simply means use “cherry trees” and write answer using powers.
Correct final answer 3 x 2 3
Remember product means multiply

17. GSCE EXAM TIPS 16 Show full method Find 20 % of £10.90
10 % £10.90 ÷10= 1.09
20 % £ x 2 = £ 2.18
You must show the green divide by 10 method to find 10%
Simply writing 10 % = does not count as a method and you will lose marks if your final answer is incorrect

18. 17 Algebra Collecting like terms
GSCE EXAM TIPS
17 Algebra Collecting like terms
Simplify 3A + B + 6A – 4B
Correct answer 9A – 3B
Common mistake 9A + 5B

19. 18 Algebra Expanding Brackets
GSCE EXAM TIPS
18 Algebra Expanding Brackets
Remember to multiply all terms inside the bracket by whatever is outside the bracket
2 ( Y + 5) = 2Y + 10
Common mistake 2Y + 5
2Y ( Y + 4 ) = 2Y2 +8Y
Common mistake
2Y ( Y + 4 ) = 2Y +8Y = 10Y

20. GSCE EXAM TIPS 19 Transformations
When describing an ENLARGEMENT you need to say 3 things
1 Enlargement
2 Scale factor of enlargement
3 Co ordinates of the point the object has been enlarged from

21. GSCE EXAM TIPS 20 Transformations
When describing an REFLECTION you need to say 2 things
1 REFLECTION (do not say it flips )
2 Equation of the line of reflection

22. GSCE EXAM TIPS 21 Transformations
When describing an ROTATION you need to say 3 things
1 ROTATION ( do not say it turns)
2 Direction ( clockwise or anti clockwise) and angle
3 Co ordinates the object has been rotated about

23. GSCE EXAM TIPS 22 Transformations
When describing an TRANSLATION you need to say 2 things
1 TRANSLATION ( do not say it slides or moves)
2 Number of units moved right/left and up/down
2 −3 You should also be able to recognise that this means
Translate a shape 2 units right , 3 units down
− Translate a shape 1 unit left , 4 units up

24. GSCE EXAM TIPS
23 Graphs
Remember to label the axes when drawing graphs
Most students often fail to label FREQUENCY on the vertical axis
Students also forget to label the X and Y axis
Remember “X goes across Y to the sky”
FREQUENCY
COLOUR

25. 24 Equations of lines you must know
GSCE EXAM TIPS
24 Equations of lines you must know Y Y Y X X X
X =2
Students always get this wrong
Y = 5
Students always get this wrong
Y = X

26. GSCE EXAM TIPS 25 Factorising
When factorising you must have the highest common factor(s) outside the bracket. Factorise 4Y + 12 = 4 ( Y +3) Common Mistake 4Y + 12 = 2 ( 2Y + 6)
When factorising you must have the highest common factor(s) outside the bracket.
Factorise 3x2 – 6x = 3x(x – 2)
Common Mistake 3x2 – 6x = 3(x2 – 2x)

27. GSCE EXAM TIPS
26 Fractions
= =
When adding or subtracting fractions you must use the lowest common denominator
Common mistake
= 3 7

28. GSCE EXAM TIPS
27 Indices
Add powers when multiplying 𝑥 2 x 𝑥 5 = 𝑥 x 2 4 = 2 6 Subtract powers when dividing 𝑥 10 ÷ 𝑥 5 = 𝑥 5 𝑥 6 𝑥 4 = 𝑥 2

29. GSCE EXAM TIPS 28 Equations
When solving an equation when X appears on both sides MOVE THE SMALLEST X TERM FIRST 5X + 3 = 2X – 12 -2X -2X 3X + 3 = X = -15 X = - 5

30. 29 Frequency Tables
Pets
Frequency
Pets x Frequency 12 1 60 2 28 56
Total
100
116
When asked to find the mean form a frequency table remember to create a final end column and multiply pets and frequency
Mean = 116 ÷ 100 = We divide by 100 as there are 100 people in the survey. Common mistake is to divide by 3 as there are 3 rows in the table.
Modal number of pets is 1 ( as this is the highest frequency)
Common mistake is to say modal number of pets is 60

31. GSCE EXAM TIPS
30 QWC
Questions marked with an * require you to show all of your workings and be able to write full sentences to explain your answers *

32. GSCE EXAM TIPS
30 QWC
You must use the correct mathematical language when answering any questions on angles.
Words in RED must be used *

33. Vertically opposite angles are equal

34. Angles on a straight line add up to 180

35. Angles at a point add up to 360*
DO NOT SAY ANGLES IN A CIRCLE ADD TO 360

36. Angles in a triangle add up to 180

37. Base angles of an isosceles triangle are equalX X

38. Angles in a quadrilateral add up to 360

39. Alternate angles are equal

40. Corresponding angles are equal

41. Allied angles add up to 180

42. GSCE EXAM TIPS 31
Do not provide two different answers for the same question if only one answer is required Write 1 3 as a decimal 0.3 or The correct answer is but as 0.3 is incorrect you will score no marks for this question

43. GOOD LUCK GSCE EXAM TIPS FINALLY Check all answers thoroughly.
Have you answered every question.
Do your answers make sense.
Check to see if there is a question on the back page of the exam paper
GOOD LUCK