CCEA GCSE Mathematics (504) Past Papers 2026

Foundation Tier — linear paper covering Number, Algebra, Geometry and Statistics

Duration: 1h 45m

Foundation Tier — second linear paper covering Number, Algebra, Geometry and Statistics

Duration: 1h 45m

Higher Tier — linear paper covering Number, Algebra, Geometry and Statistics

Duration: 2h

Higher Tier — second linear paper covering Number, Algebra, Geometry and Statistics

Duration: 2h

Foundation Tier Completion Test — Paper 1, Non-Calculator

Duration: 1h

Foundation Tier Completion Test — Paper 2, Calculator

Duration: 1h

Foundation Tier Completion Test — Paper 1, Non-Calculator

Duration: 1h

Foundation Tier Completion Test — Paper 2, Calculator

Duration: 1h

Higher Tier Completion Test — Paper 1, Non-Calculator

Duration: 1h 15m

Higher Tier Completion Test — Paper 2, Calculator

Duration: 1h 15m

Higher Tier Completion Test — Paper 1, Non-Calculator

Duration: 1h 15m

Higher Tier Completion Test — Paper 2, Calculator

Duration: 1h 15m

Angle geometry with reasons — Higher tier circle theorems and parallel line rules

All three years flag this as a major source of marks lost at Higher tier. Candidates find the correct numerical angles but omit or give incorrect geometric reasons, earning zero. Circle theorems were specifically highlighted in M4 2023 (Q17b), M4 2024 (Q19c), and M4 2025 (Q17b) as differentiating questions where only the very best candidates scored. The use of informal language such as 'Z angles' instead of 'alternate angles' cost marks in all three years.

M3, M4, M71, M81

Reverse percentages — setting up the initial equation correctly

Flagged in M3, M4 and M72 across all three years. The most consistent error is calculating the given percentage of the given value and subtracting it, earning zero marks. Examiners in M4 2023 noted that 'the mean mark for this question was two marks', reflecting how many candidates found the first step but no further. In M3 2024 only the best candidates set up the correct 128% equation.

M3, M4, M72

Cumulative frequency — reading the median and IQR correctly from the graph

Highlighted as a 'very disappointing response' in M3 2024. Candidates took the midpoint of the x-axis as the median rather than halving the total frequency and reading from the y-axis. The IQR calculation was 'unfamiliar to many'. In M4 2025 candidates lost marks for ignoring the thousands scale on the x-axis. This was described as a 'standard M3 topic, regularly assessed' yet produced poor results.

M3, M4

Volume and surface area — confusing the two, and using radius vs diameter

Across M1, M2, M3 and M4 in all three years, candidates calculated the volume when asked for surface area (or vice versa), used diameter instead of radius for cylinder calculations, or used the circumference formula when an area was needed. The M2 2025 overview specifically stated 'most candidates struggled to find the volume of a cylinder' and M4 2025 Q6 noted that some candidates 'used r = 12 instead of 6'.

M1, M2, M3, M4

Algebraic expressions and equations — writing expressions, expanding brackets, and forming equations from worded problems

Across Foundation units M1, M2, M51, M61 all three years, candidates failed to write algebraic expressions (e.g. 'h + 5'), incorrectly expanded brackets (multiplying only the first term), or used trial and improvement when asked to 'form an equation'. The M2 2025 overview listed this as a specific teaching point: 'most candidates struggled to find the volume... it was evident that most candidates struggled to find the correct common denominator'.

M1, M2, M51, M61

Quadratic equations — factorising with three terms or using the difference of two squares, and giving both solutions

Flagged in M3 2023 (Q21), M4 2023 (Q19), M4 2024 (Q18, Q22), and M4 2025 (Q10, Q20). In M4 2023 'the majority of candidates obtaining zero marks' on difference-of-two-squares factorising. Candidates also consistently omitted the negative root when solving, losing the final mark. Only the strongest candidates linked factorisation in Part (a) to the solution in Part (b).

M3, M4, M81

Histograms — calculating frequency density, drawing bars correctly, and estimating the median

In M4 2025 the histogram question 'was not answered well with a lot of candidates obtaining zero marks as they did not know to find the frequency density first'. Estimating the median from a histogram 'continues to cause problems for the vast majority of candidates' across M4 2023, 2024 and 2025. Failing to label axes and using wrong scales for self-drawn grids were recurring errors.

M4

Fractions of amounts — confusing multiplication with conversion, and misreading mixed numbers

Across M1, M2, M51 and M61 in 2024 and 2025, candidates converted fractions to inaccurate decimals (e.g. treating 2/7 as 28.57% then rounding) instead of dividing by 7 and multiplying by 2. The M2 2025 overview specifically flagged 'candidates thinking that the mixed number 2½ is somehow equal to one' and 'candidates thinking that in order to find a fraction of an amount, the fraction should first be converted to a decimal or percentage — this does not work for fractions which are not terminating decimals'.

M1, M2, M51, M61