GCSE Maths syllabus breakdown

The GCSE maths course can seem daunting at first. And well … it is quite large! But you shouldn’t be afraid, here is a quick guide to help break down the syllabus. The syllabus can be split up into three main categories:

• Numbers

• Algebra and Equations

• Shapes and Geometry

Within those three categories we have listed the topics within that section. You can use this guide to familiarise yourself with the GCSE course, or even use it as a revision checklist. If you need help on how to revise, check out our guide here!

The topics underlined in red are bigger topics that require more focus!

Numbers

Fractions

Multiples, factors and primes

Highest common factors (HCF) and Lowest common multiples (LCM)

Fractions/decimals/percentages conversion

Percentage changes

Compound Interest

Data and graphs

Averages

Direct/inverse proportion

Probability

Sets/unions/intersections

Sequences

Nth term

Indices

Surds

Standard form

Rounding/bounds/inequalities

Ratio

Algebra and Equations

Substitution

Simplifying/rearranging

Formulating equations

Solving equations

Drawing equations and graphs

Proofs

Quadratic equations

Factorising

Quadratic formula

Completing the square

Simultaneous equations

Other algebraic graphs

Transformations

Functions

Compound measures

Shapes and Geometry

Area/Surface Area

Volume

Angles

Lines

Pythagoras

Trigonometry

Circle Theorems

Vectors

Loci

Bearings

Constructions