GCSE Maths Exam Boards: AQA vs Edexcel vs OCR
How the main GCSE Maths exam boards — AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR — compare, why it matters for revision, and how to find your child's board.
By the Avani Academy teamUpdated 3 min read
Quick answer
AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR all teach the same core GCSE Maths content set by the Department for Education, with Foundation and Higher tiers and grades 9–1. The differences are in paper structure, question style and wording. Your child's school chooses the board, so revise with past papers and mark schemes from that board.
Key takeaways
- Content is largely the same across boards — question style differs.
- The school chooses the board; your child doesn't.
- Practising with the right board's papers makes question wording familiar.
- Other boards' papers are useful extra practice once your own are used up.
Same content, different papers
In England, GCSE Maths content is set nationally, so AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR all cover the same core topics at Foundation and Higher tiers, graded 9–1. Each board writes its own papers and mark schemes, and that's where the differences are.
| AQA | Pearson Edexcel | OCR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of papers | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Non-calculator papers | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tiers | Foundation and Higher | Foundation and Higher | Foundation and Higher |
| Style (general impression) | Mix of short and structured questions | Many structured, multi-part questions | Often more problem-solving and context |
Exact paper lengths and mark totals differ by board and can change, so always check the current specification on the board's website.
How to find your child's exam board
- Ask the maths teacher or check the school's curriculum page.
- Look at the cover of a recent mock paper.
- Check revision guides recommended by the school — they're often board-specific.
Why it matters for revision
Because the wording and structure differ, students who practise with their own board's past papers:
- recognise command words and question layouts more quickly,
- understand how marks are awarded from the board's mark schemes,
- know what's on the formula sheet, if one is provided for their exam series.
IGCSE is different
International GCSEs (IGCSE), offered by boards such as Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge, have their own specifications and are taken in many independent and international schools. If your child takes IGCSE, use IGCSE past papers rather than GCSE ones.
How to use mark schemes well
Mark schemes are one of the most underused revision tools. After a past paper:
- 1Mark it strictly, using the board's mark scheme rather than just the final answers.
- 2Notice method marks. Most marks are for correct working, so a wrong final answer with good method can still score well.
- 3Read the examiner's report for that paper if it's published — it lists the most common mistakes students made.
- 4Log every lost mark by topic and type of error (misread the question, arithmetic slip, didn't know the method).
Command words to know
| Command word | What it expects |
|---|---|
| Work out / Calculate | Show working and give an answer |
| Show that | Every step towards a given answer must be written |
| Explain / Give a reason | A short written justification, often naming a rule |
| Estimate | Round sensibly first, then calculate |
| Prove | A full, general argument (Higher tier algebra and geometry) |
How tutoring helps
A tutor familiar with your child's board can target the question styles that cost the most marks and use the board's mark schemes to teach exam technique. See our Year 11 GCSE revision plan and Foundation vs Higher guides.
Avani Academy tutors GCSE Maths for AQA, Edexcel and OCR students. Book a free 30-minute trial.
Frequently asked questions
Which GCSE Maths exam board is the hardest?
None is officially harder — grade boundaries adjust for each paper. Students sometimes find one board's style suits them better, but the school chooses the board.
Can my child choose a different exam board?
Not usually. Schools enter all students with the board they teach. Private candidates can choose, but that's uncommon.
Is GCSE the same as IGCSE?
No. IGCSEs have their own specifications and papers. Check which qualification your child is taking before buying revision materials.
Written by the Avani Academy team
Avani Academy teaches maths online to students in Grades 5–12 in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and India. Lessons are taught by Avani Shukla, an Electronics & Communication Engineer with more than 14 years of experience teaching mathematics. Exam and curriculum rules change — always check the latest guidance from your child's school or exam board.