AQA vs Edexcel vs OCR: Choosing Your GCSE Maths Exam Board

AQA GCSE Maths (8300)

AQA is the most popular GCSE Maths exam board in England, used by roughly 40% of centres. The specification code is 8300. AQA papers are structured as three papers of 80 marks each: Paper 1 (non-calculator), Paper 2 (calculator), and Paper 3 (calculator). Each paper lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. AQA is known for its emphasis on problem-solving and mathematical reasoning. Questions often require students to interpret real-world scenarios, explain their thinking, and construct mathematical arguments. The mark schemes reward communication: students who explain their approach clearly can earn marks even when their final answer is not quite right. AQA tends to include more context-rich questions, where mathematical content is embedded in a real-world situation that students must interpret before they can begin calculating. This means strong reading comprehension is important alongside mathematical ability. Grade boundaries for AQA tend to be broadly similar to other boards, though they fluctuate year to year. The key advantage of AQA is the extensive range of past papers and practice materials available, and the fact that many online resources (like Dr Frost Maths and Corbett Maths) map their content specifically to AQA specifications.

• Strengths: Excellent range of past papers, strong online resource alignment, detailed mark schemes.
• Question style: Context-heavy, emphasis on reasoning and communication, multi-step problems.
• Best for students who: Are strong readers, can interpret word problems, and are comfortable explaining their mathematical thinking.
• Preparation tip: Practice writing explanations and justifications. AQA frequently asks 'explain why' or 'show that' questions.

Edexcel GCSE Maths (1MA1)

Edexcel, published by Pearson, is the second most popular GCSE Maths board. The specification code is 1MA1. Like AQA, Edexcel uses three papers of 80 marks each (one non-calculator, two calculator), each lasting 1 hour 30 minutes. Edexcel is generally considered to have a more structured, progressive question style. Questions tend to build in difficulty more gradually within each paper, with a clearer distinction between accessible opening questions and challenging final questions. Multi-step calculation problems are common, and the mark schemes tend to be slightly more prescriptive about method. Edexcel papers are sometimes perceived as more predictable in their topic coverage. Certain topics appear almost every series (simultaneous equations, Pythagoras with trigonometry, cumulative frequency), which can be advantageous for targeted revision. The exam board publishes excellent practice papers and specimen papers. Many students and teachers find Edexcel mark schemes slightly easier to interpret than AQA or OCR, which is helpful when self-marking practice papers.

• Strengths: Gradual difficulty progression, predictable topic coverage, clear mark schemes.
• Question style: Structured multi-step problems, progressive difficulty within papers, less context-heavy than AQA.
• Best for students who: Prefer methodical, step-by-step questions and benefit from predictable paper structure.
• Preparation tip: Work through past papers chronologically to spot recurring topics and question styles. Focus on showing complete working for multi-step problems.

OCR GCSE Maths (J560)

OCR is the third major GCSE Maths board, with specification code J560. It follows the same three-paper structure as AQA and Edexcel: Paper 1 (non-calculator), Papers 2 and 3 (calculator), each 80 marks and 1 hour 30 minutes. OCR has a somewhat smaller market share than AQA and Edexcel, which means fewer schools use it and there are fewer third-party resources specifically mapped to OCR specifications. However, the content is identical to the other boards since all follow the same national curriculum. OCR papers have their own distinctive style. Questions tend to be slightly more concise in their wording compared to AQA, with less contextual wrapping. Some teachers describe OCR questions as more direct, which can be either easier or harder depending on the student: easier because there is less interpretation needed, harder because there are fewer clues about what method to use. The mark schemes for OCR sometimes allow for a wider range of valid methods, which can benefit students who approach problems in non-standard ways. OCR also publishes useful topic-based practice materials alongside full past papers.

• Strengths: Concise question wording, flexible mark schemes, good topic-based practice resources.
• Question style: More direct, less context-heavy, sometimes requires more independent problem identification.
• Best for students who: Prefer clear, direct questions without extensive contextual setup.
• Preparation tip: Since fewer third-party resources are OCR-specific, make extra use of the official past papers and practice materials from the OCR website.

Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580)

The Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is worth mentioning because it is used by many international schools in the UK, some independent schools, and an increasing number of home educators. The specification code is 0580 for the standard Maths course (0606 for Additional Maths). IGCSE Maths differs from the UK GCSE boards in several important ways. The grading scale uses A* to G rather than 9 to 1. The content has significant overlap with UK GCSE but includes some topics at different levels and omits others. For instance, IGCSE places more emphasis on set notation and less on statistical diagrams compared to UK boards. Paper structure also differs. IGCSE typically uses two or four papers depending on the tier (Core or Extended), with different time allocations. The Core tier targets grades C to G, while Extended targets grades A* to E. Students preparing for IGCSE should use Cambridge-specific past papers rather than AQA, Edexcel, or OCR papers, as the question style and mark allocation differ significantly. The Cambridge website provides an extensive archive of past papers with mark schemes and examiner reports.

• Key differences from UK GCSE: Different grading scale (A* to G), different paper structure, some content variations.
• Strengths: Internationally recognised, extensive past paper archive, clear specification.
• Best for: International school students, some independent school students, home educators who prefer the Cambridge approach.
• Preparation tip: Use Cambridge past papers exclusively. UK GCSE papers are not suitable preparation for IGCSE due to structural and content differences.

Key Differences at a Glance

All three UK boards and Cambridge IGCSE cover the same national curriculum content, but the details of assessment vary. Understanding these differences helps you prepare more effectively for your specific exam.

• Paper structure: AQA, Edexcel, and OCR all use three 80-mark papers (1 non-calculator, 2 calculator). Cambridge IGCSE uses either 2 or 4 papers depending on tier.
• Time per paper: AQA, Edexcel, and OCR all allow 1 hour 30 minutes per paper. Cambridge IGCSE varies by paper.
• Calculator policy: All UK boards have one non-calculator and two calculator papers. IGCSE has specific calculator and non-calculator papers depending on the option chosen.
• Grade boundaries: Vary year to year across all boards. AQA and Edexcel boundaries are most widely published and discussed. OCR boundaries are less commonly referenced but follow similar patterns.
• Question style: AQA emphasises reasoning and context. Edexcel favours structured progression. OCR is more direct and concise. Cambridge IGCSE has its own distinctive international style.
• Formula sheets: All UK boards provide a formula sheet with certain formulae (cone volume, sphere surface area, etc.). Know which formulae are given and which you must memorise for your specific board.
• Resources available: AQA and Edexcel have the widest range of third-party practice resources. OCR has fewer. Cambridge IGCSE relies more on official past papers.

How Your Exam Board Affects Tutoring

The exam board your school uses should directly influence how your tutor prepares your child. A generic maths tutor who teaches the same way regardless of exam board is leaving marks on the table. AQA students need to practise interpreting context-rich problems and writing mathematical explanations. Edexcel students benefit from drilling multi-step structured problems and learning to show systematic working. OCR students need to practise identifying the right approach from more concise question prompts. Cambridge IGCSE students need preparation tailored to a fundamentally different paper structure and mark scheme. When choosing a tutor, ask which exam boards they have experience with. The best tutors not only know the curriculum content but understand the specific question styles, mark scheme conventions, and common pitfalls of each board. A tutor who has worked as an examiner or moderator for your specific board brings particularly valuable insight into how marks are awarded and lost.

Finding the Right Support for Your Board

Whatever exam board your school uses, the most important thing is to prepare with the right materials. Use past papers from your specific board, not a different one. Check that any online resources or textbooks you use are aligned to your specification. And if you are working with a tutor, make sure they know your exam board and tailor their teaching accordingly. Start by confirming your exam board and specification code with your school. Then build your revision resources around board-specific materials. Our diagnostic quiz at /quiz adapts to UK GCSE content that applies across all boards, giving you a clear picture of your strengths and weaknesses regardless of which exam you are sitting. And when you browse tutors on our /tutors page, you can look for specialists who understand the nuances of your specific exam board. The combination of diagnostic data and board-specific expertise is what makes the difference between generic preparation and targeted preparation that maximises your grade.