If your child is preparing for their GCSE Maths exam, you may have noticed the stress that comes with revision. Even strong students often lose marks to avoidable mistakes. The good news? These errors are common – and once spotted, they can be fixed with the right strategies and support.
As a GCSE Maths tutor, I see these pitfalls all the time. Here are the five most common GCSE Maths mistakes – and how your child can overcome them.
1. Misreading the Question
The mistake: Students rush and miss key words like estimate, simplify, or to 2 decimal places.
Fix it:
Practise rephrasing the question in their own words before solving.
Slow down and underline command words.
Highlight units (e.g., cm² vs. cm).
2. Forgetting to Show Working
The mistake: Writing only the final answer – meaning no method marks if it’s wrong.
Fix it:
Always show clear calculation steps.
Think: “Would the examiner understand my working?”
Use past papers to practise writing methods neatly and logically.
3. Mixing Up Formulas and Rules
The mistake: Confusing perimeter with area, mean with median, or using Pythagoras incorrectly.
Fix it:
Create a GCSE Maths formula sheet for regular revision.
Use flashcards or colour-coded notes to separate similar formulas.
Apply formulas in different types of questions, not just in practice drills.
4. Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
The mistake: Struggling to convert between them – a problem that crops up in ratios, probability, and data handling.
Fix it:
Practise converting until it’s second nature.
Relate to everyday examples (shopping discounts, recipes, test scores).
Keep a “conversion ladder” or revision poster as a quick reminder.
5. Timing & Exam Technique
The mistake: Spending too long on one question and running out of time.
Fix it:
Stick to the 1 mark = 1 minute rule.
Circle tricky questions, move on, then return later.
Use past paper practice under timed conditions to build exam stamina.
Helping Your Child Master GCSE Maths
Most students already understand the maths – they just need strategies to apply it under exam pressure. With expert guidance and practice, these mistakes can be turned into strengths.
👉 If your child could use personalised support, visit our Maths Tuition page to see how our lessons help students boost grades, build confidence, and approach the exam with calm and clarity.
