How Much Algebra is in GCSE Maths?

Jemma Sherwood, Director of Mathematics at a secondary school in Worcestershire, has been teaching mathematics for fourteen years. She believes that given the essential nature of algebra and other topics for further mathematical study, it is certainly worthwhile to spend more time on work schemes and review periods. One of the most effective ways to review the GCSE Math exam is to use practice tests under exam conditions. Sherwood also holds a master's degree in mathematics education and spends part of her time training teachers in other subjects who want to convert to teaching mathematics, in addition to serving on the board of directors of an elementary school.

She has noticed that students often struggle with ratio problems, so it's worth researching alternative approaches to solving them given the emphasis on this topic in GCSE. Another problem that arose at both levels was the understanding of words very specific to mathematics, such as “roots” and “turning points”. It is no longer enough to calculate the percentage of a quantity, now students must find a percentage of a percentage, both in questions of compound interest and in more unusual contexts. Sherwood recommends that students take advantage of all available resources to help them understand algebra and other topics better.

This includes practice tests, online tutorials, and even one-on-one tutoring sessions with experienced teachers. With enough practice and dedication, students can be sure to ace their GCSE Maths exams.

Shahid Lakha
Shahid Lakha

Shahid Lakha is a seasoned educational consultant with a rich history in the independent education sector and EdTech. With a solid background in Physics, Shahid has cultivated a career that spans tutoring, consulting, and entrepreneurship. As an Educational Consultant at Spires Online Tutoring since October 2016, he has been instrumental in fostering educational excellence in the online tutoring space. Shahid is also the founder and director of Specialist Science Tutors, a tutoring agency based in West London, where he has successfully managed various facets of the business, including marketing, web design, and client relationships. His dedication to education is further evidenced by his role as a self-employed tutor, where he has been teaching Maths, Physics, and Engineering to students up to university level since September 2011. Shahid holds a Master of Science in Photon Science from the University of Manchester and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Bath.