Fiducia TogetherMaths topics
Also called GCSE maths, Foundation tier, Higher tier
What is on a GCSE maths paper, and the difference between the two tiers.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
GCSE maths covers number, algebra, ratio and proportion, geometry and measures, probability, and statistics. It is examined on three papers, one non-calculator.
There are two tiers. Foundation covers grades 1 to 5; Higher covers 4 to 9. A student entered for Foundation cannot be awarded above a grade 5, whatever they score.
Where it applies
Everyone taking GCSE maths. Tier entry is decided by the school, usually in year 11.
How it works
The tiers overlap: much of Foundation appears on Higher too. Higher adds topics — surds, advanced trigonometry, algebraic proof, circle theorems, histograms and more.
A grade 4 is a standard pass and a 5 a strong pass. Not achieving grade 4 usually means continuing to study maths post-16 as a funding condition.
How to use it in your work
Know which tier you are entered for and revise that specification, not a general one. Revising Higher-only content for a Foundation paper is wasted time; the reverse is worse.
Ask your teacher what the tier decision is based on and when it is final.
Where to get help
Your teacher, your board's specification for what is on your paper, and Bitesize for worked examples. The maths song runs the topics in order.
Revise this with a song
These are ours. We write revision songs because a lot of people remember a tune when they cannot remember a page, and because revising out loud in the kitchen beats staring at a highlighter.
- The Maths Song The GCSE maths topics, in order.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.