Not sure which topics to revise first? This complete GCSE Maths topics checklist organises every topic by the grade level it typically appears at, so you can focus your revision where it matters most.
Whether you are on Foundation (grades 1–5) or Higher (grades 4–9), use this list to tick off what you know and spot the gaps. The checklist covers Edexcel, AQA, and OCR — all three boards test the same GCSE Maths content.
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- Find your target grade in the tables below
- Work upwards from Grade 1 — make sure you are solid on easier topics before tackling harder ones
- Tick off topics as you revise them — print this page or save it
- Focus extra time on topics one grade above your target — these are the marks that push you up
Grade 1–3 Topics (Foundation Basics)
These are the building blocks. If you are aiming for a grade 4 or 5, you must be able to answer these confidently.
| Strand | Topics |
|---|---|
| Number | Place value, ordering decimals, four operations, negative numbers, factors & multiples, prime numbers, squares & cubes, basic fractions, decimals & percentages conversions, rounding |
| Algebra | Simplifying expressions, substitution, solving one-step equations, coordinates, plotting straight lines from tables |
| Geometry | Properties of 2D shapes, angles on a line & at a point, symmetry, perimeter, area of rectangles & triangles, reading scales, metric conversions |
| Statistics | Tally charts, bar charts, pictograms, mean/median/mode/range, simple probability |
Grade 4–5 Topics (Standard & Strong Pass)
A grade 4 is the minimum most colleges and sixth forms require. Grade 5 is the "strong pass" that many competitive courses expect.
| Strand | Topics |
|---|---|
| Number | HCF & LCM (including prime factorisation), fraction arithmetic, percentage increase/decrease, ratio & proportion, standard form, estimation, bounds (truncation & rounding) |
| Algebra | Expanding single & double brackets, factorising single brackets, solving two-step equations, inequalities on number lines, sequences (nth term linear), y = mx + c, real-life graphs |
| Geometry | Angles in triangles & quadrilaterals, parallel line angles, area of trapezium & parallelogram, circumference & area of circles, volume of prisms, Pythagoras (basic), transformations (reflection, rotation, translation), bearings, scale drawings |
| Statistics | Pie charts, scatter graphs & correlation, frequency tables, two-way tables, relative frequency, probability trees (basic), sample spaces |
Grade 6–7 Topics (Higher Tier Mid-Range)
These topics are the bridge between "good" and "excellent". Mastering them is the difference between a grade 5 and a grade 7.
| Strand | Topics |
|---|---|
| Number | Compound interest & depreciation, reverse percentages, recurring decimals to fractions, surds (simplifying), indices (negative & fractional), error intervals |
| Algebra | Factorising quadratics, solving quadratics (factorising & formula), simultaneous equations (linear), rearranging formulas (two-step), quadratic graphs, equation of a line from two points, direct & inverse proportion |
| Geometry | Trigonometry (SOH CAH TOA), Pythagoras in 3D, circle theorems (basic), sector area & arc length, similar shapes (lengths, areas, volumes), congruence, enlargement with negative scale factors, vectors (basic) |
| Statistics | Cumulative frequency & box plots, histograms (equal width), grouped frequency (estimated mean), independent & dependent probability, tree diagrams (with/without replacement), Venn diagrams |
Grade 8–9 Topics (Top Grades)
These are the discriminating topics that separate grade 7 students from grade 8/9 students. They typically appear as the final questions on each paper and carry 4–8 marks each.
| Strand | Topics |
|---|---|
| Number | Surds (rationalising denominators), upper & lower bounds in calculations, proof (algebraic, e.g. product of consecutive numbers) |
| Algebra | Algebraic proof, quadratic simultaneous equations, completing the square, iteration, inverse & composite functions, algebraic fractions, quadratic inequalities, equation of a tangent to a circle, gradients of curves (estimating) |
| Geometry | Sine rule & cosine rule, area of triangle (trig), circle theorems (all 8 + proofs), vectors (proving collinearity, ratios), 3D trigonometry, transformations of graphs |
| Statistics | Histograms (unequal class widths), conditional probability, Venn diagrams (3-set), capture-recapture |
Pro Tip:
Grade 8/9 questions often combine multiple topics in a single question (e.g., surds + Pythagoras, or simultaneous equations + quadratic graphs). Practise these multi-step questions regularly.
Foundation vs Higher: Which Topics Overlap?
Foundation covers grades 1–5 and Higher covers grades 4–9. There is an overlap at grades 4 and 5. Here is how they compare:
- Foundation only: More scaffolded questions, simpler contexts, no proof or iteration
- Both tiers: Pythagoras, basic trigonometry, quadratic graphs, probability trees, ratio
- Higher only: Algebraic proof, circle theorems, sine/cosine rules, vectors, functions, histograms with unequal widths
Not sure which tier to sit? Read our guide: GCSE Foundation vs Higher Maths: Which Tier Should You Choose?
How AI Examify Helps You Tick Off Topics Faster
AI Examify is organised by topic and subtopic, so you can work through this checklist systematically:
- Choose a topic from the practice mode
- Answer real exam questions — write on paper or use the digital canvas
- Get instant AI marking with method marks, accuracy marks, and feedback
- Track your accuracy on the progress dashboard — see which topics are green (strong) and which are red (need work)
Start ticking off your checklist today
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