5 GCSE Maths Revision Tips You Should Know to Pass

The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) mathematics examinations in the UK is challenging. 

You’ll find the links to the GCSE maths past papers and tests to help you prepare for your GCSE tests. we also suggest some sources where you can get the past paper at the end of this article.

Stationery items you will need for exams are available here: GCSE maths stationery items

How to revise and pass GCSE maths exam?

There is no secret to passing the GCSE maths test. It's about applying what you learn in primary and secondary schools. But often, students forget the maths facts and processes they learn in class. So, how can you pass your GCSE? Revise! 

 We want you to ace your exams with better grades. Check out the 5 practical tips for revising and passing your GCSE maths exams. And of course, pnginsightmathsexamresources.com provides the resources that are free.

Download the Exam and test papers PDF

5 tips to improve your GCSE maths exam grades

• Tips 1 and 2 are ways for gathering revision materials.
• Tip 3 provide an overview of what to do when revising.
• Tips 4 and 5 are the fundamental things you must do in the exam room.

Check out the GCSE Exam Dates and Timetable1. 

1. Revise Year 7 – Year 10 test papers

Never throw your maths test papers away. Aside from other revision materials, the test papers have the best revision questions. The reason is simple. The end-of-the-term tests in Year 7, Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 are topic assessments. Thus, they’ll give you a complete overview of what the GCSE maths exams are testing. These test papers are the best revision. Keep them and use them.

2. Revise GCSE past paper questions

Maths skills, knowledge and applications are cross-cutting. They remain the same even though the maths assessment questions differ. By this I mean, an exam item can be written in different ways every time. 

But the idea that the item tests always remains the same. For example, a past paper question will ask you to find the perimeter of a regular rectangular shape. Next, you may be asked to find the perimeter of an irregular shape.

In both instances, you still use the idea of the total length around a shape. For this reason, revising GCSE part exam papers is important if you want to improve your marks.

And, revising past papers is the second-best way to if you want to know how to pass GCSE maths exams.

3. Practice makes perfect

When you have the past test papers and exam papers plus other revision resources, it’s time to revise. Know what you need to revise for – prioritise! 

Identify the maths that you are weak in. For example, take a look at the past tests papers and identify the hard questions. 

Target those questions and revise them head-on. Here are some difficult areas of maths that many you may want to revisit.

• Review your 6s, 7s, 8s times table.
• Practice questions on perimeter, area, and volume.
• Review questions on Angles and bearings where you are asked to make deductive reasoning and draw.
• Do algebra questions on solving equations, rearranging formulas, expanding brackets, factorising, etc.
• Attempt questions with 3, 4 or 5 marks that require complete working out.
• Make sure you can use your calculator efficiently.

Check out the exam revision materials here: past TEST papers and past EXAM papers. 

 

4. GCSE maths exam stationery items you’ll need

This is a no brainer. You must have the exam supplies before going into the exam room. Your exam supplies will depend on whether you are doing Foundation or Higher GCSE. So, ask your maths teacher what you will need for the test. 

Some supplies like rough papers and rulers are often provided. You will not be allowed to take them into the exam room. Here are some GCSE maths stationery items you should have: A black pen, pencil, rubber, pencil sharpener, scientific calculator, ruler, protractor & compass.

5. Read the instructions carefully

The instruction will set the pace for the exam. Read it carefully. Here is sample instruction and what you should know as you read it.

• Answer ALL the questions. That means that you should answer as many questions as you can to get full marks.
• Write your answers in the spaces provided on the question paper.
• You are not allowed to use any other paper.

Ensure that you know the answers to these five questions, as you read through the instruction:

• Have you got the correct paper?
• How long do you have to do it?
• Are all the numbered pages there?
• How many questions are in the exam?
• What are the total marks for the GCSE maths exam

Conclusion (Pass GCSE maths exams)

Practising how to revise and pass GCSE maths exams is all you need to do to do well. 5 ways to revise and examiners expectations you should know to do well. These are proven ways to pass your maths exams.

PNG Govt Tuition Fee Subsidy 2021 - Press Release

1. INTRODUCTION

This public notice formally announces the PNG Government’s GTFS policy for 2021. In 2021, the government is maintaining the Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTFS) Policy. Under the GTFS, the government is committed to its policy on partnership and to make education a shared responsibility between the national government, provincial governments, DDAs, parents, churches and other stakeholders.

2. EDUCATION REMAINS THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITY

The Marape government reiterates its profound conviction that education is a powerful tool that will transform and sustain our prosperity and therefore will maintain education as a priority policy.

The Marape government is committed to giving every child 13 years of quality education under a standard based education system including a standard-based curriculum that provides an effective platform for measuring children’s performance and for teachers to use evidence to continuously improve childrens’ learning so that they continue to make progress towards fully attaining the benchmarks and hence the attainment of content standards.

We will ensure: 

• the 1-6-6 school structure that phases out elementary schools and moves grade 1 and 2 into primary schools; 
• a robust standards assurance system maintained; multiple pathways with FODE and VET for students is provided; 
• Schools of Excellence implemented; Early Childhood education formalized; and 
• schools’ functioning have sustained funding from both government and parents.

The Government will prioritise FODE and will from this year pay the full tuition fees. In other words, FODE will be fee-free and will be established in all high and secondary schools from 2021.

3. GOVERNMENT TUITION FEE SUBSIDY POLICY

The Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTFS) Policy underscores its principle to make education cost of our children a partnership between governments, parents, churches and the local communities. We have seen the last regime making our people lazy, detached parents from schools and systematically removed their interest in schools. 

We want to disengage and cut out the dependency syndrome that we have systematically allowed into our PNG culture. The shift in the school financing policy by the Marape government is deliberate to get parents and communities to plough the soil and work hard, and contribute to reviving the economy than creating a ‘handout culture’ and a dependency syndrome.

Papua New Guineans are naturally hard-working, resilient and self-reliant. The GTFS policy will re-establish the missing link between the parents and schools while the Government will invest in raising the quality of education, building more schools and making school managers and boards more accountable.

4. 2021 GTFS FUNDING

The total funding for the Government Tuition Fee Subsidy Policy (GTFS) in 2021 will be K486,351,600. This funding remains the same as in 2020. GTFS will have two components:

• a School Operations and Functional Grant of K388,351,600 (80%) and 
• a Commodity component of K97,000,000 (20%). 

We will look into a decentralized procurement model that can encourage SMEs but at the same time is affordable and ensures standards and equity.

5. 2021 TUITION COST AND NATIONAL EDUCATION BOARD (NEB) MAXIMUM FEE LIMITS

The following table shows the Total fees per NEB Maximum Fee limits for each component and by sector.

Table 1: Total Tuition Cost and Fee Limits in Kina

NB: The Approved Permitted Schools are no longer supported by the GTFS Policy.
The State will pay the full FODE Fees.  

6. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY AND PARENTAL CONTRIBUTION

Given the budget allocation, the State Contribution component will be 62% of the total NEB Maximum School Fee Limit cost and parents will pay 38%.

The actual unit fees to be paid by the state and parents based on the 62/38 sharing model for each student per sector will be as follows:

Table 2: 2021 Student Unit Tuition Fee By Sector in Kina

7. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Parents will be required to pay fifty percent (50%) of the Parental Contribution fee at the start of the school year and the balance must be paid before the end of Term 2. The government will pay its component before the end of Term 3.

8. PROJECT FEES

Schools are allowed to collect Project Fees, but they must follow very strict approval guidelines. The Provincial Education Board is the only authority to approve a project fee for schools after it has received a School Learning Improvement Plan (SLIP), a Project Plan, Scope and Budget with a P&C Association agreement. 

Where Project Fees are to be collected, it must be less than 20 percent (20%) of the Maximum Fee limit per student rate set by the National Education Board as shown below.

Table 3: Project Fees Limits for 2021

9. CHURCH AGENCY FEES

Church agency fees are to be paid by each student attending a church agency school as per the Education Act, 1983. Provincial Education Boards will set and approve the fees, but must not be above the maximum limits set below.

a) Preparatory/Elementary – K5.00

b) Primary – K7.00

c) High/Secondary and Vocational – K10.00

10. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE DENIED THEIR RIGHT TO EDUCATION

NO school administration or governing board is to refuse any child from enrolling in school or attending classes for non-payment of any form of fees. Special arrangements should be made between the parents and the school to pay the required fees over a period in the school year. 

Whilst every child has the right to education, schools also need funds to operate, therefore parents are encouraged to cooperate with school boards and pay their component of 38% as early as possible.

11. PARTNERSHIP WITH PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES

Provincial Governments and District Development Authorities are the immediate authorities responsible for the education of students in the general education sector, within their respective jurisdictions.

In the spirit of partnership, we urge every Provincial Government and District Development Authority to help their schools, and especially parents who may struggle to pay their

38% component of the fees. 

Eight provinces (East New Britain, East Sepik, Eastern Highlands, Enga, Milne Bay, Morobe, New Ireland and Northern have signed MOAs with the National Government to manage national government school fee grants/subsidies. We will honour our commitment and enhance further collaboration and partnership.

12. MANDATORY SELF RELIANCE FOR SCHOOLS TO RAISE 10% OF ITS REVENUE

Self-reliance is a standing policy of the department. However, the current take-up of self-reliance projects by schools is low. Schools have become too dependent on fees and subsidies in the recent past. 

Hence per the NEB recommendation at its last meeting, I direct every school to generate 10% of its school’ budget through self-reliance projects. Schools will comply with this direction in 2021.

13. CONCLUSION

The State is committed to education and pays the bulk of the cost of education for each child through teacher salaries, teacher training, standards assurance, curriculum and examinations, infrastructure, and grants, apart from the GTFS policy funding.

The Government’s Tuition Fee Subsidy Policy that advocates sharing the cost of education will continue in our endeavour to provide a sustainable education system for our children.

I thank all parents and stakeholders for your continued partnership in sharing the responsibility in the education of our children.

Any further explanation of the policy can be obtained from the Department of Education Website: www.education.gov.pg or by sending an email to gtfsinfo@education.gov.pg or calling phones: 328 888 00/73350746/32 888 661/72668181.

Authorized by:

HON. JIMMY UGURO, MP

MINISTER FOR EDUCATION

(4th January 2021)

- Re-published - 

2024 PNG National Examination and Term Dates

The PNG Department of Education has recently announced the exam dates for Grade 8, Grade 10, and Grade 12 for the year 2043. The schedule for the Grade 12 Written Expression papers and marking is also available.

GRADES 8, 10 & 12: Want to know how many days remain before the examinations 2024 start? Click here.

Duration of exams in 2024

Below are the exam dates for Grade 8, Grade 10, and Grade 12 in 2024:

• Lower Secondary School Certificate Written Expression (Grade 10): Thursday, June 6, 2024
• Upper Secondary School Certificate Written Expression Exam (Grade 12): Monday, August 5, 2024
• Grade 12 STEM Exams: Tuesday, September 30th to Monday, 4th Friday, 2024
• Lower Secondary School Certificate Exams (Grade 10): Monday, October 7 to Friday, October 11, 2024
• Upper Secondary School Certificate Exams (Grade 12): Monday, October 14 to Friday, October 18, 2024
• Certificate of Basic Education Exams (Grade 8): Monday, October 21 to Thursday, October 24, 2024

Schedule for Grade 10 and Grade 12 exams 2024

Here is the exam schedule for the LSSC Grade 10 and HSSCE Grade 12 exams:

1. Grade 10 Exam Schedule 2024 - LSSCE 

• Monday, October 7th, 2024 - Maths & Personal Development
• Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 - Social Science & Arts
• Wednesday, October 9th, 2024 - Science & Design and Technology Courses (PS/HE/COMP/D&T)
• Thursday, October 10th, 2024 - Business Studies & Agriculture
• Friday, October 11th, 2024 - English

2. Grade 12 Exam Schedule 2023 - HSSCE 

• Monday, October 14th, 2024 - Advanced Maths P1, General Maths P1, Applied Science & History
• Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 - Physics, Accounting & Geography
• Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 - Biology, Economics, Geography, and Business Studies
• Thursday, October 17th, 2024 - Language and Literature, Applied English, Chemistry & Legal Studies
• Friday, October 18th, 2024 - ICT, Advanced Math P2 & General Maths Paper 2

Download Free PNG Past Exam Papers - Grades 8, 10 and 12

PNG Insight has a comprehensive collection of past maths exam papers for Years (Grades) 8, 10 and 12. The past papers are free for students and teachers. They are the best resources for use in class or as revision guides.

Here is how to get a copy for yourself.

The video instruction on how to download the Grade 12, 10 and 8 maths papers will help you.

How to Download Grade 8 Exam Papers - VIDEO Instruction

How to Download Grade 10 and 12 Maths Past Exam Papers - VIDEO Instruction

6 Key Views for Policy Construction - Dr Tapo

These views are forwarded to inform the readers, and the public, of the challenges of a  changing education system in Papua New Guinea. In particular the central business of the 

• initial teacher preparation, 
• professional practice, 
• teacher supply and demand, 
• GPAs (Grade Point Averages), and 
• Teachers registration and reregistration.

(Dr Tapo's views are raised to inform readers on matters pertaining to education and policy development in PNG)

All of which are inclusive and overwhelm presentation of education quality and stipulated in the vision and mission of the Education Department and the Education Act 1983 (consolidated to no. 13 of 1995).

In light of the challenges of new graduates lacking important skills, teachers education and practice of new teachers, six considerations have been highlighted to give direction for policy formulation at the end of this discussion.

Education policies and practices 

Explanatory Note: PNG INSIGHT has documented multiple public insights into school education and other educational practices impacting directly and indirectly on Papua New Guineans livelihood and community at large.

Education is seen as a right for every school-aged child. But this far, there are overwhelming gaps in the policy formulation, planning, economic absorptive capacity, and overall capacity. 

There is a greater need to develop sustainable development strategies and implementation activities.

At present, the limited reliance knowledge, capital utilisation and the likely impacts are challenges that have merits to interrogate the policies and practices such as the 

• high educational failures, 
• unemployment, 
• high unit costs of university education, secondary, TVET and FODE programs, etc.

Hence, the discussion hereafter is more than just examination, selection and admission, GPAs, teachers recreational leave fares, standard-based curriculum, teaching and learning resources.

Considerations and explanations

The concerns are ominous: increasing population, teacher supply and demand, schools graduating school leavers with lesser skilled and low GPAs, pupils at graduation, overly high student class size, high pupil to teacher ratio, and teacher absence. Other concerns include:

• vacant teacher position,
• unregistered teachers,
• unqualified teachers,
• teacher position mishaps,
• inspections,
• teaching and learning resources,
• teacher knowledge, and 
• lack of understanding of the curriculum.

The list goes on.

Bare Foot Education: Lifelong Consequences

The inherent gaps and sustainability resource absorptive capacity are so real. These all contribute to the gist of this forum 'Bare Foot Education: lifelong Consequences'.

It was great to watch the televised captions of the deemed graduated Diploma in primary teaching from Balob Teacher's College. So to was the principal and the follow-up by fellow colleagues deputy and the secretary for education making a genuine effort to correct the malpractice of established parts of the Education Act 1983 (consolidated to no. 13 of 1995).

Source: EMTV News 10/02/2021

Standardised reporting practices and processes

Colleges and the Department have established policies, practices and procedures as standardised practices and processes used for selecting, admission, teaching, learning, assessments, and reporting of a novice student teacher (s) achievement standards and professional practice through the two or three-year diploma.

The selection and admission committee, Academic advisory committee and Governing councils are clear on these procedural mandatory requirements clearly defined in the numerous subdivisions of the Act.

Inspection, vetting and action

Membership and attendance, reporting and recommendations from committees and boards are submitted to the Secretary for Education for vetting and action by the directorates and divisions of the Education Department.

This happening to deregister potential beginning teacher graduates who have not entered practice without a practice licence is an administrative judgement error. 

Inspection of a new teacher at work is the only evidence-based and is the professional duty of the inspector. Hence, the recommendation of a teacher or teachers to get a teacher practice licence. 

Only then the performance standards to register or not to register is the question which can lead to suitability and unsuitable report of a teacher to deregister a beginning teacher.

The ambiguity to deregister prior to teacher posting, in a position with a number, in a school does have its underlying motives. This decision is void and in the near future could become part of the practice inconsistent with the established quality standards, measures and guidelines.

6 key views for policy construction

The way forward given the standardised practices that exist in the Education Act 1983 (consolidated to no. 13 of 1995), I offer these views for construction by policymakers, committees, and governing councils of Teachers colleges. These are sixfold:

1) Leader/managers 'show cause" and take a zero-tolerance

Treat the Balob demonstration as a means. It has never happened before, in the life of teacher education presentation since 1975.

Leader/managers 'show cause" and take a zero-tolerance to ensure established quality standards procedural guidelines are honoured. And well understood by a person delegated the power as the Education Authority to act on behalf of the Secretary for Education. Secretary who is the Accreditation Awarding officer of the state on education;

2) Regulate Teacher Professional Standards

Established and regulate Teacher Professional Standards and even go as far as a Parliamentary Bill to enact the proper standards for teacher education providers, specialised programs for specialisations, novice, beginning and practising teachers with particular specialisations, etc;

3) Papua New Guinea Board of Teacher Registration

Established Papua New Guinea Board of Teacher Registration with specific functions and in partnership with the Department of higher education, science and technology and the DHERST Act and the Department of Education and the Education Act, and the Teaching Service Commission and the TSC Act;

4) Separate autonomous body of standards

Divorce the teacher professional standards, quality standards and assurance mechanisms, and the framework of the national standards embedded in the Education, Teaching Service Commission, and DHERST Acts of Parliament to a separate autonomous body;

5) Review Understanding of GPA, Selection and Admission - NDoE and DHERST

Review overall understanding of the grade point average (GPA), selection and admission. Foremost, courses and alphabetical ratings across schools' achievement standards and awards at the completion are not satisfactory merits. 

These merits awards given to grade 12 as the specific grade level has confounding and complex quality assurance concerns because inhibiting factors interconnected and interwoven with grade 12 certificates at High schools, secondary school, national high schools technical high schools and vocational schools and Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE); and

6) Define Grade 12 and its Equivalence Guidelines

Grade 12 and its equivalence guidelines are defined. For the moment, all school leavers who are deemed grade 12 and or with equivalence continue to show knowledge and skill gaps. 

They have survived the specific grade levels in absence of the required aptitude abilities whereas confidence and competence of knowledge and skill level very much different and do impact the selection, admission and completion of initial teacher preparation. 

Hence, the Balob Teachers College demonstration and the deregistration announcement and action.

Dr Michael F Tapo, EdD 

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Editor's note: Dr M.F Tapo has over 40 years of experience, working in the education sector and his contribution is invaluable, balanced and insightful. He is a former PNG Department of Education Secretary. 

We are delighted to have Dr Tapo's thoughts on the discussions on Education and Development on our platform. Related articles: Problem Solving and Thinking Strategies and Thinking strategies Help Students Solve Problems.

Image: PNG Insight. Supplied, Dr Tapo