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GCSE Maths exam dates 2027
All three boards sit Maths on the same mornings. Note that OCR's non-calculator paper is on a different day.
| Date (9am) | AQA (8300) | Edexcel (1MA1) | OCR (J560) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 non-calculator | Paper 1 non-calculator | Paper 1 / 4 calculator | |
| Paper 2 calculator | Paper 2 calculator | Paper 2 / 5 non-calculator | |
| Paper 3 calculator | Paper 3 calculator | Paper 3 / 6 calculator |
From the boards' 2027 timetables. Full timetables: AQA, Edexcel, OCR. Higher tier OCR papers are numbered 4 to 6.
GCSE Maths papers and tiers by board
| Board | Papers | Marks per paper | Foundation | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQA 8300 | 3 × 1h 30m, each worth 33⅓% | 80 | Grades 1 to 5 | Grades 4 to 9 |
| Edexcel 1MA1 | 3 × 1h 30m, each worth 33⅓% | 80 | Grades 1 to 5 | Grades 4 to 9 (grade 3 allowed) |
| OCR J560 | 3 × 1h 30m, each worth 33⅓% | 100 | Grades 1 to 5 | Grades 4 to 9 |
You take all three papers at the same tier, in the same exam series. Any topic can come up on any paper. Your grade comes from your total across the three papers: individual papers aren't graded.
Your school enters you for a tier, so ask your teacher if you're not sure which one you're taking.
Which GCSE Maths paper is non-calculator?
- AQA and Edexcel: Paper 1 is non-calculator, on Friday 14 May 2027. Papers 2 and 3 allow a calculator.
- OCR: the second paper is non-calculator, on Thursday 27 May 2027: Paper 2 at Foundation, Paper 5 at Higher. Papers 1, 3, 4 and 6 allow a calculator.
If you're with OCR, don't revise for a non-calculator paper on Fri 14 May 2027: yours is on Thu 27 May 2027.
What does GCSE Maths test?
Six topic areas: number; algebra; ratio, proportion and rates of change; geometry and measures; probability; and statistics.
| Topic | Foundation | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Number | 22–28% | 12–18% |
| Algebra | 17–23% | 27–33% |
| Ratio, proportion and rates of change | 22–28% | 17–23% |
| Geometry and measures | 12–18% | 17–23% |
| Statistics and probability | 12–18% | 12–18% |
| Objective | Foundation | Higher |
|---|---|---|
| AO1: Use and apply standard techniques | 50% | 40% |
| AO2: Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically | 25% | 30% |
| AO3: Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts | 25% | 30% |
Sources: Pearson 1MA1 specification; AQA 8300 scheme of assessment (approximate overall weightings).
So Higher tier puts more weight on algebra and on reasoning and problem-solving; Foundation on number and on standard techniques.
Do you get a formula sheet?
Some formulae you have to learn. AQA lists formulae students are expected to know that won't be given in the exam, including the quadratic formula, the circumference and area of a circle, and Pythagoras' theorem.
Where other formulae are needed, Pearson and OCR give them as part of the question.
Grades, boundaries and resits
GCSE Maths results come out on Thursday 19 August 2027. Boundaries change every year: in AQA's June 2026 exams, a grade 4 needed 63/240 on Higher tier and 154/240 on Foundation. More in GCSE grade boundaries explained.
Grade 4 matters in Maths: in England, students who don't get a 4 keep studying Maths after 16. See GCSE grades 9 to 1 explained.
November resits: GCSE Maths can also be taken in November. For AQA, November entries are only for students who were at least 16 on the previous 31 August (AQA scheme of assessment).
Past papers: each board publishes them on its own website. See when each board makes papers public.
Questions people ask
When are the GCSE Maths exams in 2027?
Friday 14 May 2027, Thursday 27 May 2027, Monday 14 June 2027, all in the morning (9am start). AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR sit their Maths papers on the same three days.
Which GCSE Maths paper is non-calculator?
For AQA and Edexcel, Paper 1 is non-calculator (Friday 14 May 2027). For OCR, the non-calculator paper is the second one: Paper 2 at Foundation or Paper 5 at Higher (Thursday 27 May 2027). The other two papers allow a calculator.
How long is each GCSE Maths paper?
Each paper is 1 hour 30 minutes, so 4 hours 30 minutes in total. AQA and Edexcel papers are out of 80 marks each, OCR papers out of 100. Each paper is worth a third of the GCSE.
What grades can I get on Foundation and Higher tier?
Foundation tier covers grades 1 to 5 and Higher tier grades 4 to 9, for all three boards. Pearson's specification adds that a grade 3 is allowed on Higher tier. You take all three papers at the same tier, in the same series.
Do you get a formula sheet in GCSE Maths?
Some formulae you must learn. AQA lists formulae students are expected to know, including the quadratic formula, circle formulae and Pythagoras' theorem, which will not be given. Pearson and OCR give any other formulae you need within the question.
Can I resit GCSE Maths in November?
Yes. GCSE Maths can be taken in November as well as May/June. For AQA, November entries are only for students who were at least 16 on the previous 31 August. Pearson's specification also restricts November entry.
What mark do you need for a grade 4 in GCSE Maths?
It changes every year. In AQA's June 2026 exams, a grade 4 needed 63 out of 240 on Higher tier and 154 out of 240 on Foundation tier. The 2027 boundaries will be different.