OCRExam BoardsGCSE Maths Everything You Need to Know About OCR GCSE Maths This guide will walk you through the structure of the OCR GCSE Maths exam, key content areas, where to find past papers and how to revise effectively. RM Written by Richard Updated January 15, 2025 • 7 min read OCR is one of the three main exam boards offering GCSE Maths in the UK. Although slightly less common than AQA and Edexcel, thousands of students take OCR exams every year. This guide will walk you through the structure of the OCR GCSE Maths exam, key content areas, where to find past papers and how to revise effectively. What is OCR GCSE Maths? OCR's GCSE Maths qualification aims to assess students on fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills across a wide range of mathematical topics. Like other boards, OCR offers two tiers: Foundation Tier (grades 1 to 5) Higher Tier (grades 4 to 9) At KSOL, our GCSE Maths 7-9 course focuses on helping students excel in the Higher Tier, especially those targeting Grades 7 to 9. The course is fully mapped to the OCR GCSE Maths specification, making it an ideal resource for students preparing for this exam board. OCR GCSE Maths Exam Structure Students sit three written papers in a single exam series: Paper 1: Calculator Paper 2: Non-calculator Paper 3: Calculator Each paper is: 1 hour 30 minutes long Worth 100 marks Worth one third of the final grade OCR exam papers include a variety of question types. Ranging from multiple-choice to short response and extended problem-solving. The board places particular emphasis on mathematical reasoning and applying concepts to real-life situations. Topics Covered in OCR GCSE Maths OCR covers the full national curriculum for GCSE Maths. Students will be assessed on: Number Algebra Ratio, proportion and rates of change Geometry and measures Probability Statistics All papers may include questions from any of these strands, and many questions combine multiple topics. How to Revise for OCR GCSE Maths To prepare effectively for OCR exams: Practise with OCR-style questions. Becoming familiar with the format helps you understand how to approach real exam problems. Understand the command words: words like "justify" and "explain" have specific expectations in OCR questions. Show full working: method marks are awarded generously when you clearly explain your steps. Build reasoning skills: OCR questions often require multi-step logic and application. Focus on understanding methods, not just memorising them. Where to Find OCR GCSE Maths Past Papers Everything you need is here in one course. KSOL's GCSE Maths 7-9 course includes questions that imitate the exact style and challenge of real OCR exams. Each topic features exam-style questions and walkthroughs designed to build confidence and familiarity with what you'll face on exam day. KSOL's Support for OCR Students KSOL's GCSE Maths 7-9 course is fully aligned with the OCR specification and is built to support high-achieving students aiming for Grades 7 to 9. The course includes: Weekly video lessons structured around OCR's exam content OCR-style practice questions and quizzes Instant feedback and worked solutions Personal tutor support with our Help Me Now feature Progress tracking and flexible topic selection Whether you're strengthening your foundations or mastering Grade 9 material, KSOL offers the structure, support and challenge needed to succeed with OCR GCSE Maths. Need more revision help? Read our guide: How to Revise for GCSE Maths Effectively Find out more here! Back to Blog