GCSE Maths Paper 2 Topics

GCSE Maths Paper 2 is normally a calculator paper. Students are expected to solve longer and more complex problems while using calculators accurately and efficiently.

1. Calculator fluency

Students should know how to use brackets, fractions, powers and roots correctly on their calculator.

Revision guide: GCSE Maths Calculator Guide

2. Standard form and indices

Standard form calculations appear frequently in calculator papers.

• Standard Form
• Indices

3. Algebra and equations

GCSE Maths Paper 2 often includes longer algebra questions involving multiple steps.

• expanding brackets
• factorising
• simultaneous equations
• quadratic equations

• Expanding Brackets
• Simultaneous Equations
• Quadratic Equations

4. Graphs and gradients

Graph interpretation and graph drawing are common calculator paper topics.

Topic page: Straight Line Graphs

5. Trigonometry

Trigonometry is one of the most common calculator-paper geometry topics.

• SOHCAHTOA
• finding sides
• finding angles
• 3D trigonometry

Topic page: Trigonometry

6. Bearings and geometry reasoning

Bearings questions often combine geometry and trigonometry.

• Bearings
• Circle Theorems

7. Probability

Probability questions in Paper 2 often involve fractions, decimals and multi-step reasoning.

• Tree Diagrams
• Venn Diagrams

8. Statistics

Statistics questions often involve interpreting graphs and calculating averages.

• Mean Median Mode and Range
• Cumulative Frequency
• Histograms

9. Multi-step problem solving

Calculator papers often contain longer questions requiring students to combine several methods together.

Students should practise:

• interpreting information carefully
• choosing methods independently
• checking answers using estimation
• showing clear working

10. Time management

GCSE Maths Paper 2 often includes long questions near the end of the paper.

Students should:

• avoid spending too long on one question
• move on and return later if stuck
• leave time for checking answers

11. Common Paper 2 mistakes

• incorrect calculator brackets
• wrong calculator mode in trigonometry
• rounding too early
• missing units
• copying numbers incorrectly

Useful GCSE revision guides

• GCSE Maths Calculator Guide
• GCSE Maths Exam Technique
• Common GCSE Maths Mistakes
• How to Revise GCSE Maths

Related GCSE Maths Pages