Ofqual has confirmed that GCSE Maths formula sheets will be provided in exams for 2025, 2026, and 2027. Every student sitting Edexcel, AQA, or OCR GCSE Maths will receive a printed formula sheet with their question paper.
But here is the catch that trips up thousands of students every year: the formula sheet only covers about 30% of the formulas you actually need. The rest must still be memorised. This guide breaks down exactly what is on the sheet, what is not, and how to lock the missing formulas into your memory.
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Try AI Examify Free — 7-Day TrialWhat Is on the GCSE Maths Formula Sheet?
The exam aid formula sheet includes formulas that Ofqual considers more complex and less frequently used. Here is a summary of what you will be given:
| Topic | Formula Given | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Quadratic formula | x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / 2a | Higher only |
| Circumference of a circle | C = 2πr = πd | Both |
| Area of a circle | A = πr² | Both |
| Pythagoras' theorem | a² + b² = c² | Both |
| Trigonometric ratios | sin, cos, tan definitions | Both |
| Sine rule | a/sinA = b/sinB = c/sinC | Higher only |
| Cosine rule | a² = b² + c² - 2bc cosA | Higher only |
| Area of a triangle (trig) | A = ½ ab sinC | Higher only |
| Volume of a sphere | V = (4/3)πr³ | Higher only |
| Volume of a cone | V = (1/3)πr²h | Higher only |
| Surface area of a sphere | A = 4πr² | Higher only |
| Curved surface area of a cone | A = πrl | Higher only |
Formulas You MUST Still Memorise
These formulas are not on the exam aid sheet. You will lose marks if you do not know them by heart:
Algebra
- Gradient of a line: m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
- Equation of a straight line: y = mx + c
- Difference of two squares: a² - b² = (a + b)(a - b)
- Completing the square (Higher)
- nth term of a linear sequence: an + b
- nth term of a quadratic sequence (Higher)
Number
- Percentage change: (change / original) × 100
- Compound interest: Amount = P(1 + r/100)^n
- Reverse percentage: Original = Final / (1 ± percentage/100)
- Speed = Distance / Time
- Density = Mass / Volume
- Pressure = Force / Area
Geometry
- Area of a triangle: A = ½ × base × height
- Area of a parallelogram: A = base × height
- Area of a trapezium: A = ½(a + b) × h
- Volume of a prism: V = area of cross-section × length
- Volume of a cylinder: V = πr²h
- Angles in a polygon: Sum of interior angles = (n - 2) × 180°
- Arc length: (θ/360) × 2πr
- Sector area: (θ/360) × πr²
Probability and Statistics
- Probability: P(event) = favourable outcomes / total outcomes
- Mean: sum of values / number of values
- Estimated mean from grouped data: sum of (frequency × midpoint) / total frequency
How to Memorise Formulas Effectively
Research shows that active recall beats passive reading by a factor of 3-5x. Here are proven strategies:
- Write them out from memory daily. Cover the list, write as many as you can, then check. Repeat daily for 2 weeks.
- Use them in context. Practise exam questions that require each formula. AI Examify lets you filter by topic so you can drill specific formula-heavy areas.
- Create mnemonics. SOH CAH TOA for trigonometry. "Silly Old Harry Caught A Herring Trawling Off America" is a classic.
- Spaced repetition. Review formulas at increasing intervals: 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days.
- Teach someone else. Explaining a formula forces you to understand it deeply, not just parrot it.
AI Examify Tip:
Our practice mode shows you the exact topic and marks for each question. If you keep losing marks on "compound interest" questions, that tells you the formula is not locked in yet. Target it until your accuracy hits 90%+.
Will the Formula Sheet Continue After 2027?
In early 2025, the UK government confirmed that formula sheets will remain until at least 2030, when reformed GCSEs are expected to launch. This means students starting Year 10 in September 2025 will also benefit.
However, do not become reliant on the sheet. University and A-Level courses do not provide formula sheets, so building strong memorisation habits now will pay dividends later.
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