11+ and GCSE Maths, explained for parents

Straight answers on exams, revision and where marks actually get lost. Written by a practising maths teacher.

Flat doodle open doorway with a crossed-out robot and a stepping-stone path of alternative resources GCSEResources & Reviews

Best Medly AI Alternatives for GCSE Revision in 2026

Free and paid alternatives to Medly AI for GCSE revision, and how to choose between them based on what your child actually...

27 Jul 2026 · 3 min read
Comic illustration of a child picking a padlock on a treasure chest while a smug official looks away 11+Exam Technique

Is the FSCE 11+ Exam Really "Tutor-Proof"? Here's What That Claim Misses

The FSCE 11+ exam is often called tutor-proof. Here's what that claim actually means, and why the right kind of preparation still...

23 Jul 2026 · 4 min read
Child confidently working through fraction diagrams with a tutor pointing, cartoon illustration 11+Maths Topics

Why Does My Child Understand Fractions in Lessons but Fail Them in Tests?

Your child gets it in the lesson but drops marks in the test. Here's the real reason that happens with fractions, and...

22 Jul 2026 · 3 min read
Determined child concentrating on 11+ fraction diagrams at a home desk, cartoon illustration 11+Maths Topics

11+ Fractions Help: Why Your Child Keeps Getting Stuck (And What Actually Works)

Fractions cause more 11+ tears than almost any other topic. Here's why worksheets alone don't fix it, and what actually closes the...

20 Jul 2026 · 5 min read
Teenage boy writing in an exercise book at a desk by a window, with a clock beside him GCSEParent Guides

How Much Revision Should My Child Be Doing Right Now?

School says one thing, other parents say another, the internet says seven hours a day. Here's what the right amount of GCSE...

17 Jun 2026 · 7 min read
Students Collaborating On Maths Using Laptop Choosing a TutorGCSE

Why Your Child Might Actually Learn More in a Shared Tutoring Session Than a 1:1

Most parents assume 1:1 is premium and shared is a compromise. Here's why the opposite is often true, and when a shared...

9 Apr 2026 · 6 min read
Professional Reviewing Marked Exam Papers Exam TechniqueGCSE

GCSE Mock Marking Service UK: What Are Your Options?

External mock marking ranges from real examiners to unchecked freelancers. A straight comparison of the UK options, what each costs and what...

17 Mar 2026 · 4 min read
Teacher Marking GCSE Exam Papers With Laptop Spreadsheet GCSEResources & Reviews

Why Schools Are Outsourcing Mock Exam Marking | SHLC Tutors

Mock season buries departments in marking while data deadlines are already looming. Why more schools outsource it, and how to do it...

17 Mar 2026 · 5 min read
Two students working through maths together at a kitchen table with a laptop and a calculator GCSERevision Planning

Why Easter Is the Most Important Week of GCSE Revision (And How to Use It Properly)

Easter is close enough to matter and far enough away that most students coast through it. How to use those two weeks...

16 Mar 2026 · 3 min read
Two exam paper cards side by side comparing the GCSE and IGCSE paper structures GCSEIGCSE

IGCSE vs GCSE Maths: What's the Difference?

If your child is at an independent school they may be sitting IGCSE without you realising. How the two qualifications differ, and...

1 Mar 2026 · 8 min read
Two students working through a maths problem on a laptop at a kitchen table Choosing a TutorGCSE

A Flexible GCSE Maths Option for Home Educators: Veronika's Maths Club

Home educating families need GCSE maths that fits round everything else. An honest look at Veronika's Maths Club, who it suits and...

25 Feb 2026 · 3 min read
A stopwatch, marked exam papers and pencils laid out on a desk GCSEGrades & Boundaries

How to Get a Grade 9 in GCSE Maths: Student Guide

Only about 5% of maths entries get a grade 9. Here's what those students actually do differently, and the habits worth copying...

18 Jan 2026 · 13 min read
A student lifting two kettlebells marked with the number 4, next to an open workbook and a revision timetable GCSEGrades & Boundaries

How to Pass Your GCSE Maths Resit: The Honest Guide to November 2026

Paper 1 is on 4 November 2026 and entries close on 4 October. Here is what a grade 4 really takes on...

18 Jan 2026 · 16 min read