What Grade Is My Child Working At?
A short GCSE Maths check paper that starts easy and gets harder, with every answer written out for parents. It gives a quick idea of where your child is now, and what to work on next.
How It Works
- 1Print the Paper
Print the paper only. Keep the answers somewhere safe so your child doesn't see them.
- 2Your Child Sits It
Section A has no calculator and Section B allows one. It takes about an hour, and it is fine to stop at questions they have not learnt yet.
- 3You Mark It
Use the Answers for Parents. Every answer is written out, with simple notes on when to give part marks.
- 4Read the Score
Add up the marks out of 48 and use the table below to see roughly which grade your child is working at.
What the Score Means
| Score (out of 48) | Roughly Working At | What to Work On Next |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 8 | Around grade 1 to 2 | Focus on number skills: times tables, the four operations, fractions and percentages. |
| 9 to 15 | Around grade 3 | Secure fractions, ratio and solving simple equations. A grade 4 is within reach. |
| 16 to 23 | Around grade 4 | A standard pass (grade 4) is likely. Next, work on algebra, Pythagoras and circles. |
| 24 to 29 | Around grade 5 | A strong pass (grade 5). Next, trigonometry, factorising and reverse percentages. |
| 30 to 36 | Around grade 6 | This is Higher tier level (the harder GCSE papers). Next, indices, the quadratic formula and proportion. |
| 37 to 42 | Around grade 7 | Strong Higher work. Next, surds, the sine and cosine rules and harder algebra. |
| 43 to 48 | Grade 8 to 9 range | Excellent. Practise full Higher papers, especially the hardest questions at the end of each paper. |
Questions Parents Ask
Is it for Foundation or Higher?
Both. The questions start at about grade 1 and go up to grade 9, so it works whichever tier your child is on. A Foundation student is not expected to answer the last few questions.
Does it work for IGCSE?
Yes, as a rough guide. The topics are shared by GCSE and International GCSE Maths, although the exams themselves are set out differently.
Which year groups is it for?
It is designed for Years 10 and 11, but a confident Year 9 student can try it too. Expect lower scores earlier in the course, simply because some topics have not been taught yet.
Can You Check My Child's Level for Me?
Yes. The free 90-minute first lesson includes a proper look at where your child is, and I'll explain exactly what to work on next.
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Let's Find the Right Starting Point for Your Child
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