Favourite Exam Questions and Topics

Below you will find 27 Favourite Topics that seem to appear regularly.

In each table you can see exactly which Year, what Paper and what Question number where that topic appeared. So, for example, you can follow through the Question links to every question on Pythagoras asked since 1999.

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Questions involving Pythagoras

Comment: As you can see Pythagoras is a real favourite in the calculator papers - there has been at least one questionon this topic every year since 2001.

Questions involving Dimensions of Expressions

Comment: Another favourite, this time of the non-calculator papers. As you can see there has been one question on this topic almost every year since 1999.

Questions involving Trial & Improvement

Comment: As you can see this has been asked almost every year since 1999 so it is well worth revising thoroughly.

Questions involving Vectors

Comment: Another topic which has been asked every year since 1999 in the Higher non-calculator papers - a MUST for revision!

Questions involving Transformations

Comment: Another extremely popular question. But dont forget Transformations can mean transformations of graphs,enlargements, reflections, rotations, stretches etc. As you can see there has been a question on this topic every year since 1999. In the Higher tier in 2003 there were 4 Questions involving transformations in some form oranother! Another MUST for revision.

Questions involving Algebra

Comment:As you can see Algebra is examined every year without fail. This is essential revision.

Questions involving Trigonometry

Comment: In the Higher calculator Paper 6, Trigonometry has come up every year since 1999. These are the sameharder questions that you find near the end of Intermediate Paper 4.

Questions involving Standard Form

Comment:This is a favourite of both papers and has come up every year since 1999.

Questions involving a Circle Problem

Comment: Another favourite. In the Higher papers it has been examined at least once every year since 1999.

Questions involving Histograms

Comment: A favourite only of the Higher Papers - with the exception of 2005, there has beenone Histogram question every year since 1990.

Questions involving Probability

Comment: An extremely popular topic with at least one question in both calculator and non-calculator papers. A real MUST for revision.

Questions involving Percentages

Comment: As you can see Percentagequestions are everywhere in the Intermediate papers. They are also quite popular in the Higher papers too. Essential revision.

Questions involving Simultaneous Equations

Comment: Every year since 2001 there has been a question on Simultaneous Equations - so they are another favourite.

Questions involving Area and/or Perimeter

Comment: A very popular topic as you can see. In 2003 there were even three questions concerning Area and/or Perimeter. The questions can mix in a bit of Algebra, Trigonometry, or Circle properties, especially in the Higher Papers.

Questions involving Solving Equations

Comment: In some form or another being able to Solve an Equation is at the very heart of mathematics - and the examiners are very keen to test you on this. As you can see, since 2001 there has been a question on the Higher Paper each year. You have to know how to solve equations.

Questions involving Volume

Comment: Another very popular topic because it can test so much. For example, can you find the volumes of a cube? a cuboid? a prism? a pyramid? a sphere? a hemisphere? a cone? a cone with a hemisphere stuck to the base? And do you know how to recognise the dimensions of a volume?

Questions involving Straight Line Equations

Comment:In the Higher papers there has been one question on this topic every year since 2001. Its a very important topic because of the overlap with science. Many experiments in science produce straight line graphs and scientists need to understand how to find the equations from the lines. So it is regularly tested.

Questions involving Cumulative Frequency

Comment: As you can see, in the Higher Papers Cumulative Frequencyhas come up 6 times in eight years, whereas in the Intermediate Papers it has come 7 times in the past eight years. Its quite a favourite because it can test how strong your understanding of statistics really is.

Questions involving Finding the n^th Term Formula

Comment: Intermediate paper - 8 Questionsin 7 years. Higher Paper - 6 Questionsin 6 years. A must for revision.

Questions involving Fractions & Ratio

Comment: A real favourite of the Intermediate Papers as you can see, with 22 Questions in the past 8 years. A good understanding of Fractions & Ratio is assumed at the Higher level.

Questions involving Scatter Graphs

Comment: More popular in the Intermediate papers with 8 questions in the past 8 years.

Questions involving Quadratics

Comment: This is an absolute must for Higher candidates. Being able to recognise and, more especially, to solve a Quadraticequation is a fundamental skill at GCSE.

Questions involving Similar Shapes

Comment: A popular question on both Higher & Intermediate papers, with almost one question each year.

Questions involving Prime Numbers & Factors

Comment: Often these Questions are connected to finding the HCF and the LCM , and for the last four years there has been something concerning Prime Numbers

Questions involving Tessellations

Comment: Often a favourite in the Intermediate papers.

Questions involving Cosine & Sine Rules

Comment: These are asked only in the Higher calculator papers, but apart from 2003 and 2006 they have appeared every year since.

Questions involving Upper & Lower Bounds

Comment: Another regular topic - it has appeared in the Higher papers every year since 2000.