Past papers are the most effective way to prepare for your GCSE Maths exam. This guide covers all past papers from 2019 to 2025 for AQA, Edexcel, and OCR, with links to official sources and a proven method for using them effectively.
How to Use GCSE Maths Past Papers Effectively
Past papers show you exactly what to expect in your exam. Here's a three-step method that works:
1. Start with topic-based practice
Before attempting full papers, make sure you understand individual topics. Work through questions on algebra, geometry, or statistics separately. This builds confidence before tackling complete papers under timed conditions.
2. Do papers under exam conditions
Set a timer for 1 hour 30 minutes. No phone, no notes, no calculator on non-calculator papers. Sit at a desk and complete the paper as if it's the real exam. This reveals gaps in your knowledge and builds exam stamina.
3. Mark your work and analyse mistakes
Use the mark scheme to check your answers. Don't just count marks. Read the marking points to understand what examiners expect. If you lost marks on a question, rework it until you can solve it confidently. Keep a list of topics that need more practice.
AQA GCSE maths past papers
AQA specification 8300 is the most widely sat GCSE Maths exam in England. Each exam series includes three papers: one non-calculator paper and two calculator papers. Foundation tier has a maximum of 240 marks across all three papers. Higher tier also has 240 marks total.
The June 2026 grade boundaries for AQA 8300 were:
- Foundation: Grade 5 = 187/240, Grade 4 = 154/240, Grade 3 = 115/240
- Higher: Grade 9 = 219/240, Grade 7 = 166/240, Grade 5 = 97/240, Grade 4 = 63/240
AQA Past Papers by Year
| Year | Foundation Tier | Higher Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2024 | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2023 | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2022 | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2021 | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2020 | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2019 | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | AQA Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
All papers and mark schemes are available through AQA's assessment resources page and the AQA past paper finder.
Edexcel GCSE maths past papers
Edexcel specification 1MA1 follows the same structure as AQA: three papers per tier with a total of 240 marks. Edexcel papers often include more context-heavy questions that require careful reading.
The June 2026 grade boundaries for Edexcel 1MA1 were:
- Foundation: Grade 5 = 181/240, Grade 4 = 151/240, Grade 3 = 110/240
- Higher: Grade 9 = 208/240, Grade 7 = 146/240, Grade 5 = 82/240, Grade 4 = 50/240
Edexcel Past Papers by Year
| Year | Foundation Tier | Higher Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2024 | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2023 | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2022 | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2021 | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2020 | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2019 | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | Pearson Qualifications VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
Access all Edexcel papers through the Pearson qualifications course materials page or the Pearson past papers hub.
OCR GCSE maths past papers
OCR specification J560 has a different structure. Each tier has three papers with a total of 300 marks. This means OCR papers are slightly longer than AQA and Edexcel papers.
The June 2026 grade boundaries for OCR J560 were:
- Foundation: Grade 5 = 183/300, Grade 4 = 133/300, Grade 3 = 96/300
- Higher: Grade 9 = 264/300, Grade 7 = 170/300, Grade 5 = 94/300, Grade 4 = 57/300
OCR Past Papers by Year
| Year | Foundation Tier | Higher Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2024 | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2023 | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2022 | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2021 | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2020 | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
| 2019 | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE | OCR Assessment Resources VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE |
Find all OCR papers on the OCR J560 assessment page or through the OCR past paper finder.
How many past papers should you do?
A common question, but the answer depends on your starting point and target grade.
Minimum recommendation: three complete exam series (nine papers total). This gives you exposure to different question styles and topics. One series might focus heavily on geometry, another on algebra. You need variety.
For higher grades (7-9): aim for five to seven complete series. Higher papers test problem-solving under time pressure. The more papers you complete, the faster you recognise question patterns. Speed matters at this level.
Quality over quantity: doing ten papers without proper review is less useful than doing five papers with thorough analysis. After each paper, spend time understanding every mistake. Redo questions you got wrong. If you keep losing marks on ratio questions, that's your revision priority.
Timing matters: start past papers six to eight weeks before your exam. Earlier than that and you might not have covered all topics. Later than that and you won't have time to work on weak areas.
Track your scores. If you're consistently hitting your target grade, you're ready. If your scores fluctuate, keep practising until they stabilise.
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