GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)

Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics – Aiming for an A or Better

Grade Criteria and exemplar examination questions to get a Grade A or A* in the

following topics:

1. Surds
2. Recurring Decimals
3. Limits of Accuracy
4. Indices
5. Proportionality
6. Rearranging Formulae
7. Algebraic Fractions
8. Using Graphs
9. Quadratic Equations
10. Simultaneous Equations
11. Algebraic Proofs
12. Circle Theorems
13. Trigonometry – for triangles which are not right-angled
14. Vectors
15. Similar Triangles
16. Congruent Triangles
17. Scale Factors – for volumes & surface areas of similar shapes (2D or 3D)
18. Stratified Samples
19. Histograms
20. Tree Diagrams
21. Mixed Questions

NC = non-calculator question

SLGS 2007
 GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Surds

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Work out the square roots of some decimal numbers
To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Simplify surds by rewriting with the smallest integer inside the root
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Simplify surds by rationalising denominators
• Manipulate & simplify expressions involving surds

Question 1
[i]

[ii]
SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
 GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Recurring Decimals

Grade Criteria Can do

To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Convert recurring decimals to fractions

Question 2

[ii]
9
Convert the recurring decimal 0.2  to a fraction.

………………………………
(2)

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Limits of Accuracy

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Find limits of accuracy for numbers given to whole number accuracy
To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Find limits of accuracy for numbers given to d.p. or s.f. accuracy
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Find limits of accuracy for compound measures (speed, gradient, etc)

Question 3
(i)

(ii)
SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Indices

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade C you must be able to:
• Multiply and divide numbers in index form
To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Know how to use indices rules for negative & fractional powers

Question 4

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

GCSE Mathematics: Proportionality

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Find formulae that describe direct & inverse proportionality (or variation)
and use them to solve problems
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Solve variation problems involving 3 variables

Question 5
[i]

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
[ii]

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Rearranging Formulae

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Rearrange more complicated formulae
To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Rearrange formulae where the subject appears twice
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Rearrange formulae where the subject appears with a power

Question 6

SLGS 2007
 GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Algebraic Fractions

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Solve linear equations involving algebraic fractions where the subject (x) is
part of the numerator
To get a grade A you must be able to:
Combine algebraic fractions using all 4 operations
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
Simplify algebraic fractions by factorising & cancelling
Solve equations containing fractions with algebraic denominators

Question 7
(i)

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
(ii)

SLGS 2007
 GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Using Graphs

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Work out the coordinates in a table of values and plot graphs of the form
y = ax2 + bx + c (quadratic), y = ax3 (cubic), y = a/x (reciprocal)
To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Give the equation of a line parallel or perpendicular to given lines &
passing through a given point
• Interpret more complex real-life graphs
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Transform graphs of a given function with the equation either written in
f(x) form or fully specified
• Identify a function’s equation from its graph which has been transformed
from a known function
• Solve equations using the intersection of two graphs

Question 8

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
 GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Quadratic Equations

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Factorise a quadratic expression of the form x2 + bx + c
• Solve a quadratic equation of the form x2 + bx + c = 0
To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Solve a quadratic equation of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 by factorising or by
using the formula
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Solve quadratic equations by completing the square
• Solve real problems requiring constructing & solving quadratic equations

Question 9
(i)

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

(ii)

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Simultaneous Equations

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Solve 2 linear simultaneous equations
To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Set up & solve 2 linear simultaneous equations from practical problems
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Solve 1 linear & 1 non-linear (probably quadratic, typically the equation of a
circle) simultaneous equations

Question 10
(i)

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
 GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Algebraic Proofs

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Verify results by substituting numbers into them
• Understand the proofs of simple theorems (an exterior angle of a triangle
is the sum of the two opposite interior angles, etc)
To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Show an algebraic statement is true by using both sides to justify your
answer
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
Prove algebraic results using rigorous & logical mathematical arguments

Question 11
[i]

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
[ii]

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
[iii]
(a)Write down an expression, in terms of n, for the nth multiple of 5.

.............................
(1)

(b)Hence or otherwise

(i) prove that the sum of two consecutive multiples of 5 is always an odd number,

(ii) prove that the product of two consecutive multiples of 5 is always an even number.

(5)
(Total 6 marks)

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Circle Theorems

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Find missing angles in circles
To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Use the alternate segment theorem to find missing angles in circles
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Use circle theorems to prove geometrical results

Question 12
[i]

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
 GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Trigonometry

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Use trigonometry to find the length of any side in right-angled triangles
• Use trigonometry to solve problems involving right-angled triangles
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Use the sine rule & cosine rule to find missing lengths or angles
• Find the area of triangles using Area = ½ab sin C
• Solve 3D problems using SOH CAH TOA trigonometry
• Solve simple equations involving sin, cos or tan, using the shape of the
basic graphs or knowledge of CAST diagrams to find all possible solutions

Question 13
[i]

SLGS 2007
 GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

[iii]
SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
 GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Vectors

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Solve problems involving addition & subtraction of vectors
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Solve more complex geometrical problems using vectors

Question 14
[i]

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
[ii]

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Similar Triangles

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Set up equations to find missing sides in similar triangles
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Solve practical problems involving similar triangles

Question 15

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Congruent Triangles

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Know the conditions to show that two triangles are congruent
To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Prove that two triangles are congruent

Question 16

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Scale Factors

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Solve problems using area or volume scale factors for similar shapes
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Solve related problems e.g. involving mass or capacity

Question 17

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Stratified Samples

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Calculate the numbers required for a stratified sample

Question 18
[i]

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Histograms

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Draw histograms given data in a frequency table
• Complete a frequency table given a histogram

Question 19
[i]

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Tree Diagrams

Grade Criteria Can Do

To get a grade B you must be able to:
• Draw & use a tree diagram to work out the probability of combined events
To get a grade A you must be able to:
• Use “and” / “or” knowledge to find probabilities of specific combinations
To get a grade A* you must be able to:
• Draw & use a tree diagram to work out dependent probabilities

Question 20
[i]
Joan has two boxes of chocolates.
The boxes are labelled A and B.

Box A contains 15 chocolates. There are 6 plain, 4 milk and 5 white chocolates.
Box B contains 12 chocolates. There are 4 plain, 3 milk and 5 white chocolates.

Joan takes one chocolate at random from each box.

Work out the probability that the two chocolates Joan takes are not of the same type.

………………………………
(4)

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
GCSE Mathematics: Mixed Questions

Question 21

The depth, D metres, of the water at the end of a jetty in the afternoon can be modelled by this
formula

D = 5.5 + A sin 30(t – k)°

where

t hours is the number of hours after midday,

A and k are constants.

Yesterday the low tide was at 3 p.m.

The depth of water at low tide was 3.5 m.

Find the value of A and k.

A = ………………………

k = ………………………
(4)

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………

y
12

x
–12 –8 –4 O 4 6 12

–4

–8

–12
(a) On the grid above, draw the graphs of x2 + y2 = 100

and 2y = 3x – 4 (3)

(b) Use the graphs to estimate the solutions of the simultaneous equations x2 + y2 = 100

and 2y = 3x – 4

............................. .
............................ (2)

For all the values of x, x2 + 6x = (x + 3)2 – q

(c) Find the value of q.

q = .............................
(2)

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
One pair of integer values which satisfy the equation x2 + y2 = 100 is x = 6 and y = 8

(d) Find one pair of integer values which satisfy x2 + 6x + y2 – 4y – 87 = 0

x = .............., y = ...............
(3)

(Total 10 marks)

(2)

SLGS 2007
GCSE Mathematics A or Better Revision (Edexcel)
Name……………………………………………………………
y y

x x

Graph A Graph B

y y

x x

Graph C Graph D

The graphs of y against x represent four different types of proportionality.

Write down the letter of the graph which represents the type of proportionality.

Type of proportionality Graph letter

y is directly proportional to x .........................

y is inversely proportional to x .........................

y is proportional to the square of x .........................

y is inversely proportional to the square of x .........................

(Total 2 marks)

SLGS 2007