🕑 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Practice past papers under timed, no-note conditions. This helps you get used to the pace and spot where you need to speed up or slow down.

📖 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘀

Know exactly which formulas are provided in the booklet and which you must know by heart. Dedicate time to memorising essential formulas and practice applying them until they become second nature. OCR provides a list of these here.

📊 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝘁

The exam will provide the specific data you need for calculations. However, you are expected to be familiar with its context, variables, and limitations to answer written interpretation questions. Here are summaries of the data sets for each exam board:

• Edexcel

• AQA

• OCR A

Familiarise yourself with command words. These provide instructions and hints for how to write your answer.

1. Calculation and Values

• Calculate / Find / Solve / Evaluate

Obtain the final answer. While a correct answer can sometimes yield full marks on its own, you are strongly advised to show your working. If you make a small error without working, you score zero. You may use your calculator, but write down the equation to secure method marks (in case you make an input error). 

• Determine

Obtain the final answer, but you must provide justification or show the specific steps/calculation used to reach it.

• Exact

Give the answer as a fraction, surd, or in terms of ,, or e. Never use rounded decimals.

• Estimate

Use the provided information or a mathematical model (e.g. trapezium rule, Newton-Raphson, small-angle approximations) to find an approximate value. Do not try to calculate the exact answer.

2. No Workings Required

• State / Write down / Give

No working out is required. The answer should be obvious from the question, a graph, or your calculator.

• Identify

Select the correct answer from a list, a set of options, or a graph.

3. Logic and Proof

• Prove

A formal, rigorous argument. You must clearly define any variables used, show clear logical steps, and finish with a formal concluding statement.

• Show that

You are given the answer; your job is to prove it is true. You must show every single step of the derivation; do not risk skipping lines of algebra just because you can do them in your head. You must finish with a concluding statement.

• Show detailed reasoning

You must demonstrate the detailed analytical method used to solve the problem. You may use a calculator to check values or perform arithmetic, but the logical steps must be fully written out on the page.

• Verify

Substitute a value into an equation or statement to demonstrate that it works.

• Hence

You must use the result found in the previous part of the question. Any other method, even if correct, typically scores zero marks.

• Hence or otherwise

You should use the previous result (it’s usually faster), but other valid methods are permitted.

• Deduce

Use a previous result to find the answer with a little thinking. Minimal working is required.

4. Written and Contextual

• Explain

Provide a concise written answer using correct mathematical vocabulary. If relevant, support your explanation with a calculation.

• Interpret

Translate a mathematical result into a written statement about the real-world context (e.g. "The gradient represents the cost per item").

• Comment on

Analyse your results. This often involves comparing your calculated value to a real-world fact or judging if a model is realistic/valid.

• Compare

State a similarity or difference between two things. You must explicitly mention both items in your answer.

5. Graphing and Visuals

• Sketch

Draw the general shape of the curve without graph paper. You must label key features such as axes intercepts, turning points, intersections and asymptotes (using dashed lines).

• Plot

Mark specific points accurately on a grid and join them if required.

• Draw

Create a diagram with appropriate accuracy. Include any labels, annotations, lengths or angles as these may justify marks.

Read more here:

Exam Hints - OCR

Command Words - OCR

Command Words - AQA

Command Words - Edexcel

↪️ 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿

Start from the beginning and work your way through. Early questions are easier and can boost your confidence. Label each section (e.g., (a), (b), (c)) so examiners can easily follow your work.

🧠 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗢𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸

Don't get bogged down on a single question. If you are stuck, place a star ✱ next to it and move on. Returning to the problem later with a fresh perspective is more effective than staring at it for five minutes without progress. You will maximise your marks by maintaining your momentum.

⏳ 𝗔𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 “𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲”

The number of marks should guide your timings. Sticking to this pace gives you a 20-minute 'safety buffer' at the end to check your work and return to the hard questions you starred.

⚖️ 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀

The mark allocation indicates the expected complexity and depth of your solution. Use it to guide how much you write.

• 1 Mark: Write the answer. These are usually “state” or “write down” questions. Typically, no workings are required. If the calculation feels complex, re-read the question: you’ve likely missed a shortcut.

• 2-4 Marks: Show your working. Method marks are often awarded even if the final answer is incorrect, so make your steps clear.

• 5+ Marks: A short answer here is a red flag. It suggests you have oversimplified the problem or relied too heavily on your calculator. These questions demand a rigorous, logical chain of reasoning.

📐 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀!
A big, clear diagram can help simplify complex problems: vectors, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, normal distribution, force diagrams, etc. Visuals make it easier to process and understand all the information.

✍️ 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

Answers without working may not gain full credit. Even if you can do it in your head, write it down. Always quote the formula you are using before you use it. Even if your final answer is wrong, you can still earn method marks.

⏩ 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲.

If you can’t answer part (a), you may still be able to answer the other parts. You can still earn follow-through marks, even if you suspect your earlier answers are incorrect. If part (a) is a “show that” and you can’t prove it, assume the result is true and use it in (b).

🔗 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀

Questions often build on one another, even without the word "Hence". If you are stuck, review your previous work. The result from part (a) is sometimes the key to unlocking part (b).

🔦 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵

For complex, high-mark questions, you rarely see the full path to the solution immediately. Do not stare at the blank page. Instead, write down a relevant formula, draw a diagram, or perform any logical calculation with the given values. This momentum helps you secure early method marks and often helps reveal the rest of the path as you work.

🧩 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

If the question gives you a value, a diagram, or any extra condition, it’s likely there for a reason. If you’ve finished but haven’t used all the information, you’ve probably made a mistake. Pause and ask: Why did they tell me this? Unused information is often a clue that your method, interpretation, or model is incomplete.

📟 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲?

For commands like "Find", "Calculate", "Evaluate" or "Solve", you may use your calculator’s advanced functions (e.g. polynomial solver, inequality solver, simultaneous equation solver) to save time. However, always write down the equation you are solving first. This acts as your "working out" and secures method marks if you make an input error.

However, you must show full algebraic working if:

• The question contains “show all stages of your working” or requests “detailed reasoning”.

• The command words are “Prove”, “Show that”, “Determine”, or "Solve algebraically".

• The question asks for an “Exact value” (your calculator may not give you the exact answer).

In these cases, use your calculator only to check your final answer. A correct answer without a supporting method will likely score zero marks.

Also, for Edexcel:

• "Solutions relying entirely on calculator technology are not acceptable" means your calculator is an assistant. You can use it for "grunt work" (arithmetic, evaluating logs, roots), but you cannot use it to completely bypass the actual method being tested.

• "Solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable" means your calculator is banned. Your work must look as if you do not own a calculator.

🕵️ 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘃𝘀. 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹

The question’s specific wording often tells you how many answers are required.

• “Find the value...” / “Estimate the root...”

Expect a single answer. If you find two, check if one needs to be discarded.

• “Find the values...”

Expect multiple answers. If you only find one, you may have missed a solution (e.g. by dividing by a variable instead of factorising).

• “Find the set of values...” / “Find the range of values...” 

Expect an inequality.

• “Find the coordinates...”

Don’t just find x and stop! Find the corresponding value of y and write the answer as a pair (x,y).

⚠️ 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Correct algebra can produce answers that are mathematically impossible or contextually wrong. You must explicitly reject these to gain full marks.

• Constraints:

  • Restricted Domain: Is the solution in the domain of the function?

    • Logarithms: You can only log numbers greater than 0.

    • Square Roots: You can only root numbers greater than or equal to 0.

    • Denominators: A solution that makes the denominator 0 is undefined (asymptote).

• "Ghost" Solutions:

  • Squaring: If you squared both sides to solve, you may have created extraneous solutions. Check them in the original equation.

  • Modulus Equations: You may have found extraneous solutions. Check them in the original equation.

• Out of Bounds:

  • Trigonometry: Is the solution inside the given interval (e.g. 0 < x < 360)?

  • Small Angle Approximations: Is the answer small and in radians?

  • Binomial Expansion: Is the input x valid for the expansion range?

  • Geometric Series: Is -1 < r < 1 for the series to be convergent?

• Context:

  • Physical Quantities:

    • Time, mass, distance, and speed are scalar quantities and cannot be negative.

    • Displacement, velocity, and acceleration are vector quantities and can be negative.

  • Probability: Must be between 0 and 1.

  • Models: Is the answer sensible in the real-world context?

❌ 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝘁

• If you realise you have made a mistake, draw a single, neat diagonal line through the work.

• If you replace it: Examiners will ignore the crossed-out work and mark the new attempt.

• If you do not replace it: Examiners will mark the crossed-out work (provided it is legible).

• Do not scribble it out completely: You may need to refer back to it, or you may realise it was actually correct!

• Don’t overwrite: Never turn a "3" into a "5". Cross out the old number and write the new one clearly alongside.

⚠️ 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘀

Always clearly cross out attempts you do not want marked. If you leave two attempts uncrossed:

• Edexcel: Marks the final attempt that is most complete.

• AQA: Marks the best attempt (but may withhold marks if the answers contradict each other).

• OCR: Marks the last attempt (unless it is substantially less complete).

⚙️ Degrees or radians?

• Check your mode before every problem.

• If you see a π symbol, you’re in radians, and if you see a ° symbol, you’re in degrees. 

• For differentiation and integration of trig functions, you MUST be in radians.

⚠️ 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 +𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 ± 

Indefinite integrals always include a “+c”.

Rooting an equation produces positive and negative solutions: if x² = 4, then x = ±2.

However, evaluating a square root yields only the positive result: √4 = 2. 

✍️ 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻.

Exact form or decimal? Do they want set notation? Do they want a specific equation form (e.g. ax + by + c = 0)? Column vector or i and j vector notation? Degrees or radians?

📏 Check Units

• Ensure all units are consistent before calculating (e.g. matching km/h with hours). 

• Check if the question requires a specific unit for the final answer. 

• Missing or incorrect units can lose a mark, even if the numerical value is correct.

🎯 Check Accuracy

• Always check the required level of accuracy (e.g. 3 significant figures, 1 decimal place). 

• When no specific degree of accuracy is stated, three significant figures is normally acceptable for final answers. 

• Avoid rounding until your final answer.

🏷️ Check Variables

• If a question asks to find an equation linking variables H and t, you must use them in your final answer. Writing a generic equation like y = mx + c instead of H = mt + c will lose the final accuracy mark. 

• Check the variable’s scale: "population P, measured in thousands" means that if the question gives you 5,000 people, you must substitute P = 5 into the equation. 

• Check how the variable is defined:

  • Relative wording: If t is defined as "years after 1990", then for 2005, use t = 15, not t = 2005.

  • Cumulative wording: If a model gives you the “total sales after t months” but asks for sales specifically “in the 5th month”, you will need to find the difference between t = 5 and t = 4.

🤔 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰

Ask yourself: Does this make sense? A car going 400mph? A coefficient of friction of =9.2? A negative variance? If something looks wrong, go back and check your workings.

🔍 Define Inverse Functions Fully

To fully define a function, you must state its domain. When finding f⁻¹(x), always state its domain, even if not explicitly asked. This is often worth a mark. Tip: The domain of the inverse is the range of the original function.

📊 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀

In statistics, remember to relate your answers to the context. When interpreting answers, critiquing assumptions, or concluding hypothesis tests, ensure your response relates back to the real-world scenario.

🔢 𝗕𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴

Keep the full calculator values throughout your workings by using the ANS or STO functions, and round only at the end to avoid introducing errors. In mechanics, use g = 9.8 m/s² unless the question specifies otherwise, and make sure any final answers that rely on this value are rounded to three significant figures.

⚠️ "𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁" 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗜𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆

Sometimes examiners are very strict with “show that” questions. Your final answer should match the given form exactly: same structure, letters, and order. If they want “S=½Mgcotθ”, then concluding with “S=½cotθMg” can (unfairly) lose you a mark. Be precise in your final step.

❗ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝘀

Misreading or misinterpreting questions are common pitfalls; take your time to read and understand what’s being asked carefully. Work through the problem one step at a time, pausing regularly to review your reasoning and calculations. Before moving on, double-check your answer to confirm you’ve addressed every element of the question.

🔢 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀‑𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸

• Recalculate tricky expressions. 

• Use the powerful functions on your calculator to double-check quadratic/cubic equations, quadratic inequalities, simultaneous equations, definite integrals, derivative evaluations, and summations. 

• Substitute your solution back into the original equation to confirm it holds true.

• On the CG50, you can check the solutions to sinx = tanx by graphing y = sinx and y = tanx and finding their intersections.

👀 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

At the end, go through your paper with fresh eyes. Confirm that every part is answered, and the calculations are accurate. If time allows, redo tricky questions without looking at your original solution: you're unlikely to make the same error twice.

The Day Before

• 💤 Sleep: Prioritise 8 hours of sleep over late-night cramming. A tired brain makes calculation errors.

• 🎒 Equipment: Pack your clear pencil case: spare black ballpoint pens, sharp pencils, ruler, eraser, highlighter. A compass is useful for accurate circle sketches.

• 💧Water: Pack a clear water bottle with the label removed.

• 📟 Calculator: Remove the lid and check the battery/charge. 

• 🆔 ID: Pack your student ID card.

The Morning Of

• 🍳 Nutrition: Eat a slow-release energy breakfast (porridge, oats, eggs, toast).

• 👕 Clothing: Exam halls are unpredictable. Wear a t-shirt with a hoodie/jumper over it so you can adapt to the AC or heat.

• 📟 Calculator: Ensure "Exam Mode" is active (e.g. FX-CG50, Numworks). Set to Degrees mode for Statistics and Mechanics.

• 🥪 Afternoon Exams: Eat a proper lunch. Stick to light revision only: flashcards and formulas.

• ⏱️Arrival: Arrive early to avoid stress, and visit the bathroom before entering.

Just Before You Start

• 🕰️ Clock Visibility: Locate the clock. If it's not visible, tell the invigilator.

• 🪑 Wobbly Desk: If your desk wobbles, ask for a folded sheet of paper.

• 🧠 Brain Dump: Once the exam starts, flip to the first blank page and write any formulae not provided that you typically forget.