Edexcel GCSE Mathematics
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Course version · 601/4700/3Version from Sept 2020Change version
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Official Regulatory Specification
Regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 601/4700/3
- Awarding Organisation
- Pearson Edexcel
- Regulatory Type
- GCSE (9 to 1)
- National Level & Units
- GCSE • 18 units
Explore your topics
6 topics
Assessment and exam guidance
What Gets Top Grades
Knowledge & Understanding
Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge
- Uses correct subject-specific terminology
- Shows detailed understanding of concepts
- Makes accurate connections between topics
- Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge
Application
Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts
- Selects relevant knowledge for the question
- Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
- Uses examples appropriately
- Shows awareness of context
Analysis & Evaluation
Develops sophisticated analytical arguments
- Constructs logical chains of reasoning
- Considers multiple perspectives
- Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
- Acknowledges limitations and nuances
Key Command Words
Give a single fact or term
Name, select, or recognise
Set out main features briefly
Give an account of what something is like or what happens
Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains
State similarities AND differences (both required)
Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains
Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion
Make judgments about importance with justification
Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •Confusing gradient with y-intercept.
- •Incorrectly applying compound interest formula.
- •Mixing up units in compound measures.
- •Using the wrong measure for skewed data.
- •Forgetting to order data before finding median.
- •Misinterpreting standard deviation as a measure of central tendency.
- •Mislabeling axes or using incorrect scales.
- •Confusing histograms with bar charts.
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Practice rearranging formulas.
- •Check units are consistent before calculating.
- •Draw diagrams for rate of change problems.
- •Always show your working for calculations.
- •Use a calculator efficiently for standard deviation.
- •Relate measures to the context of the data.
- •Always use a ruler for drawing graphs.
- •Check that intervals are consistent in histograms.
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