England · WJEC Eduqas2026

Eduqas GCSE Mathematics (C300): complete guide to Number, Algebra, Ratio, Geometry, Probability and Statistics and the exams

A complete guide to WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Mathematics (specification C300) for England. Covers the six content areas (Number, Algebra, Ratio proportion and rates of change, Geometry and measures, Probability, Statistics), how the two written components work, the Foundation and Higher tiers, the formulae list, the assessment objectives, and how to study each area for top grades.

Browse guides →Syllabus dot points (33)

WJEC Eduqas GCSE Mathematics (specification C300) is a single linear course assessed by two written components sat at the end of the course, available to schools and colleges in England. There is no coursework. This page is the index: below is a map of the six content areas, the tier structure, the exam components, the formulae list, the assessment objectives, and how to study each area, with a direct link to every dot point.

The six content areas

The specification is organised into six areas. Number and Algebra are the foundation that everything else builds on.

Number: The structure of the number system and calculation, fractions, decimals and percentages, standard form and indices, surds, rounding, estimation and bounds, and factors, multiples and primes.
Algebra: Algebraic manipulation, solving linear and simultaneous equations, quadratic equations, sequences, straight line graphs, inequalities and other graphs and functions.
Ratio, proportion and rates of change: Ratio and scale, direct and inverse proportion, percentage change and interest, compound measures, and growth, decay and rates of change.
Geometry and measures: Angles and polygons, Pythagoras and trigonometry, area and volume, circles and circle theorems, transformations, vectors, and constructions and loci.
Probability: The probability scale and combined events, tree diagrams, Venn diagrams and set notation, and relative frequency and expected outcomes.
Statistics: Sampling and types of data, averages and spread, statistical charts and graphs, and scatter graphs and correlation.

Foundation and Higher tiers

The qualification is tiered. You sit both components at one tier.

Foundation tier targets grades 1 to 5 and covers core number, algebra, ratio, geometry, probability and statistics.
Higher tier targets grades 4 to 9 and adds harder material such as surds, algebraic fractions, the quadratic formula, completing the square, the sine and cosine rules, vectors and vector geometry, circle theorems, histograms and more demanding reasoning.

The tier you enter caps the maximum grade available, so the choice of tier is a real decision: Foundation secures the core grades up to 5, while Higher reaches grades 6 to 9 but starts its grade range at 4.

Exam structure

Eduqas GCSE Mathematics is assessed by two written components, both sat at the end of the course. Each component is 120 marks and 2 hours 15 minutes, and each is worth 50 percent of the grade, for a total of 240 marks.

Component 1 (Foundation C300U10-1, Higher C300UA0-1) - non-calculator. 2 hours 15 minutes, 120 marks, 50 percent.
Component 2 (Foundation C300U20-1, Higher C300UB0-1) - calculator allowed. 2 hours 15 minutes, 120 marks, 50 percent.

Each component mixes short, structured and unstructured questions, and either component can assess content from across the whole specification, so you cannot revise component by component.

Assessment objectives

The same three assessment objectives apply across the full qualification, but their weightings depend on the tier you enter.

Assessment objective	Foundation	Higher
AO1 - use and apply standard techniques	50 percent	40 percent
AO2 - reason, interpret and communicate mathematically	25 percent	30 percent
AO3 - solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts	25 percent	30 percent

So at Foundation half the marks reward reasoning and problem solving (AO2 plus AO3), rising to 60 percent at Higher, where AO1 falls to 40 percent. Either way Eduqas rewards clear method, worded justification and multi-step problem solving heavily, and AO1 still depends on fluent, accurate technique.

The formulae list

Eduqas prints a formulae list at the front of each component. The same list is supplied at both tiers, although several entries are only needed at Higher, such as the sine rule, the cosine rule and the area of a triangle as $\frac{1}{2}ab\sin C$ . Some formulae are still expected to be recalled, including the area of a circle $A = \pi r^2$ , Pythagoras' theorem $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$ and the trigonometric ratios. You still need to know when to use each formula, so practise selecting the right tool rather than relying on the list alone.

How to study Eduqas Mathematics

Mathematics rewards fluent technique, clear working and accurate arithmetic.

Work from the specification statements. Each statement is a checklist; questions are written from them.
Master Number and Algebra first. They underpin every area, so weak algebra leaks marks everywhere.
Show full working. Method marks are secure even when a final answer slips, so set out every step, and remember AO2 and AO3 reward reasoning.
Practise non-calculator skills. Component 1 has no calculator, so drill mental and written methods separately.
Finish with timed past papers. Sit full papers across both components to build speed and exam stamina.

Syllabus, dot point by dot point

Each area has specification-statement-level answer pages with worked exam questions and cross-links, plus an overview guide and quiz. Browse the full set at /gcse-eduqas/mathematics/syllabus.

Number

Algebra

Ratio, proportion and rates of change

Geometry and measures

Probability

Statistics

For the official specification

Eduqas publishes the full specification (C300), past papers and mark schemes at eduqas.co.uk. Always revise from the current specification and Eduqas's own past papers, because question style is board-specific.

Maths guides

In-depth written guides with paired practice quizzes.

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Maths practice quizzes

Multiple-choice drills with worked answer explanations. Your scores stay on this device.

The GCSE-EDUQAS system, explained

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Common questions about Maths

How is Eduqas GCSE Mathematics (C300) structured?

WJEC Eduqas GCSE Mathematics is a single linear course assessed by two written components sat at the end of the course. The content is organised into six areas: Number, Algebra, Ratio proportion and rates of change, Geometry and measures, Probability, and Statistics. It is tiered, with Foundation tier covering grades 1 to 5 and Higher tier covering grades 4 to 9, and the most demanding topics (such as surds, the sine and cosine rules, circle theorems and vector geometry) appearing only at Higher. There is no coursework or controlled assessment.

What are the two Eduqas GCSE Mathematics exam components?

There are two components, each worth 120 marks, lasting 2 hours 15 minutes, and each worth 50 percent of the grade. Component 1 is the non-calculator paper and Component 2 is the calculator paper. At Foundation tier they are C300U10-1 and C300U20-1; at Higher tier they are C300UA0-1 and C300UB0-1. Both components can assess content from anywhere in the specification, so you cannot revise by paper. The total is 240 marks.

What is the difference between Foundation and Higher tier in Eduqas maths?

Foundation tier targets grades 1 to 5 and focuses on core number, algebra, ratio, geometry, probability and statistics. Higher tier targets grades 4 to 9 and adds harder material such as surds, algebraic fractions, the quadratic formula, completing the square, the sine and cosine rules, vectors and vector geometry, circle theorems, histograms, and more demanding reasoning. You sit both components at one tier, and the tier caps the maximum grade you can achieve, so Foundation candidates cannot score above a grade 5.

Does Eduqas give a formula sheet in the maths exam?

Yes. Eduqas prints a formulae list at the front of each component, with the same list available to both tiers, although several of the listed formulae (such as the sine rule, cosine rule and the area of a triangle as one half a b sine C) are only needed at Higher. Some formulae are still expected to be recalled (for example the area of a circle, Pythagoras and the trigonometric ratios), so you must know when and how to use each formula rather than relying on the list alone.

What are the assessment objectives in Eduqas GCSE Mathematics?

There are three assessment objectives, and their weightings differ by tier. At Foundation tier AO1 (use and apply standard techniques) is worth 50 percent, AO2 (reason, interpret and communicate mathematically) 25 percent, and AO3 (solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts) 25 percent. At Higher tier the balance shifts towards reasoning: AO1 is worth 40 percent, AO2 30 percent, and AO3 30 percent. Either way a substantial share of the marks rewards reasoning and problem solving rather than routine calculation, so showing clear method and worded justification matters.

How should I structure my Eduqas GCSE Mathematics revision?

Work area by area against the specification, mastering Number and Algebra first because they underpin everything else, then Ratio and proportion, Geometry, Probability and Statistics. Drill each technique until it is automatic, always show full working so method marks are secure, learn the recall formulae, and practise the non-calculator skills separately for Component 1. Finish with full timed past papers across both components.

How does Eduqas GCSE Mathematics compare to other exam boards?

All GCSE Mathematics specifications (Eduqas, AQA, Edexcel and OCR) follow the same national subject content, so Number, Algebra, Ratio, Geometry, Probability and Statistics are broadly the same everywhere, and all are tiered into Foundation and Higher. Eduqas's distinctive features are its C300 component codes, its two-component structure (one non-calculator, one calculator, each worth half), its longer 2 hour 15 minute papers, and its own past papers. Always revise from the current Eduqas specification and Eduqas past papers, because question style is board-specific.