Getting a grade 9 in GCSE Maths is rare. Only about 3% of students manage it each year. But here's the thing: it's absolutely achievable if you know what you're doing.
I'm Aadam, and I've spent over 5 years teaching and tutoring students through their GCSEs. In this guide, I'm breaking down exactly what it takes to reach that top grade, including the best free resources you can use right now.
What Does It Actually Take?
Looking at grade boundaries on MathsBot, you'll see that students typically need around 90% to secure a grade 9. The highest it's ever been is 91%.
So if your child is consistently hitting 90% or above in mocks and past papers, they're on track. This means they need to be:
- Accurate with their working
- Precise in their answers
- Able to handle pressure during revision and exams
But here's what might surprise you: they don't need to be naturally gifted at maths. With the right routines and practice methods, any dedicated student can reach this level.
Where Should They Be Starting From?
If your child is just beginning Year 11, they realistically need to be at grade 5 minimum to have a shot at grade 9. Grade 6 gives them a better chance, but ideally they want to start Year 11 already at grade 7.
Most students only improve by about two grades between September and their final exams. That tells you something important: revision can't wait until Year 11. It needs to start much earlier.
Wherever they're starting from, their revision needs to be intensive, structured and smart.
The Main Struggles Students Face
Problem 1: They're Not Used to Complex Questions
Most students revise one topic at a time. They'll master algebraic fractions, then move on to quadratic equations, then study ratio separately.
But grade 9 questions don't work like that. They test multiple topics in a single question. You might get algebraic fractions mixed with quadratics. Or bearings combined with trigonometry.
Students need practice handling these layered problems where different skills come together.
Problem 2: Careless Errors on Easy Questions
Here's what often happens: a student tackles the difficult questions at the end of the paper brilliantly. They show real mathematical thinking. But then they've dropped silly marks on straightforward questions at the start because they rushed or didn't check their work.
Think of it like a boxing match. You're dodging the hard punches successfully, but then you leave yourself open to a simple jab that knocks you down a grade boundary.
Problem 3: Not Enough Active Practice
Too many students treat maths revision like history or English. They watch videos, make some notes, read through examples. That's passive learning.
Maths needs active practice. You have to actually do the questions. Repeatedly. There's no way around it.
Solutions That Actually Work
1. Do Past Papers Weekly (Minimum)
From September of Year 11, your child should be completing at least one full set of papers every week. By January, that should increase to two sets per week.
You can find past papers with worked solutions on my website. The process should be:
- Attempt the paper under timed conditions
- Mark it using the mark scheme
- Watch video walkthroughs for questions they struggled with
- Revisit tricky questions a few days later to check understanding
Once they're comfortable with their own exam board's papers, they should branch out to other exam boards and even look at Further Maths papers for an extra challenge.
2. Target Weak Topics
If your child keeps stumbling on specific topics, here are the best free resources:
Maths Genie has every topic organised by grade level, with videos, exam questions and solutions. Perfect for targeted practice.
Dr Frost Maths offers comprehensive coverage of each topic. Search for "Dr Frost full coverage" plus the topic name to find extensive question sets. Their PowerPoint resources are brilliant too.
Physics and Maths Tutor lets you filter past paper questions by topic or grade. Great for practising those multi-layered questions that appear in real exams.
3. Daily Practice with Corbett Maths
Corbett Maths Five-a-Day provides daily questions at different levels. For a student targeting grade 9, they should be completing Foundation Plus, Higher and Higher Plus questions every single day. Solutions are provided below each set.
This daily practice strengthens neural pathways. Just like you never forget how to ride a bike or say your own name, regular maths practice makes the knowledge automatic. When exam stress hits, your child will still be able to recall what they need.
4. Check Everything
Get your child into the habit of checking from primary school onwards if possible. For every question they should ask:
- What units does the answer need to be in?
- Do I actually understand what's being asked?
- Am I presenting the answer in the correct format?
- Can I estimate to check if my answer is sensible?
- Does this answer seem too big or too small?
5. Get Partial Credit
When your child sees a five-mark question with a wall of text, they might panic and skip it entirely. That's throwing away marks.
Even if they can't answer the whole question, they can usually get one or two marks. Maybe it involves finding the circumference of a circle or the area of a trapezium. Do those parts. Getting two marks instead of zero could be the difference between grade boundaries.
Use mark schemes to understand exactly what examiners want. What specific wording do they need? How should answers be presented? This helps your child write concise answers and move through the paper efficiently.
6. Keep Revision Balanced and Consistent
Don't let your child cram six hours on a Saturday. That's exhausting and ineffective.
Instead, aim for 30 minutes per subject daily, totalling one to two hours of revision each evening. This steady approach prevents overwhelm and helps the brain retain information far better than marathon sessions.
To help structure this properly, I've developed a digital GCSE revision planner and tracker that's become one of the most popular tools among my students. It helps them map out their revision across all subjects, track their progress, and maintain that crucial consistency without getting overwhelmed.
Your Role as a Parent
Your child is going through one of the most stressful periods of their life so far. You need to be their calm, stable presence. Someone they can turn to when they're struggling or need guidance.
Celebrate the small wins with them. An extra few marks on a paper. Completing a topic they couldn't do before. Finishing questions more quickly. These achievements build the confidence they'll carry into the exam hall.
Watch out for burnout. If their scores suddenly drop after steady improvement, they're either working too hard or their revision methods aren't working. Help them adjust their approach.
When to Seek Help
Help doesn't always mean paid tutoring. Could an older sibling who's done GCSEs or A Levels spare 15 minutes? Does a family member work in accounting or another maths-related field?
School teachers often run support groups. Study groups with friends can be valuable too.
If you can afford one to one tuition with an experienced, qualified teacher, I absolutely recommend it. I've seen students improve by two to four grades in just three months.
For more affordable options, consider group tuition, or a university student or recent graduate who can provide quality support at a lower cost.
If paid tuition isn't possible right now, YouTube and the free resources I've mentioned can still help your child succeed.
I also offer what's become recognised as one of the leading mock exam marking services for GCSE and 11+ students. Simply send me your child's completed past papers or mocks, and I'll provide detailed, personalised feedback showing exactly where they're losing marks and what they need to focus on. It's like having an experienced examiner review their work and tell them precisely how to improve.
The Most Important Factor: Mindset
Here's the truth: if your child doesn't believe they can get a grade 9, they won't get it.
Not because they're incapable, but because they won't put in the work required. They'll aim for a 6 or 7 because that feels safer, more realistic. They won't push themselves to master those difficult multi-layered questions.
But if they believe they deserve a grade 9? If they see themselves as someone capable, worthy and smart enough to achieve it? Then they'll do what's necessary.
Your child needs to see themselves as someone who's consistent, who works hard, who pushes through challenges. Someone who can achieve this grade 9 and go on to do even greater things.
That mindset makes all the difference.
Ready to Get Started?
Use the resources in this guide. Build a consistent revision routine. Check everything. Practice actively. And believe it's possible.
A grade 9 in GCSE Maths is within reach. Let's make it happen.
Have questions about helping your child with their GCSE Maths? Drop them in the comments below or get in touch through my website.