Past papers 2017-2024Grade 4–5 focus

GCSE Maths Revision
for AQA Foundation

Start with the right paper, find the topics costing marks, and build towards a grade 4 or 5 with a clear plan.

Your exam at a glance

TierFoundation
Grades1 – 5
Paper 1Non-calculator
Papers 2 & 3Calculator
Time1 h 30 min each
Marks80 per paper · 240 total
~160marks for grade 4
~190marks for grade 5
2026 exam dates
Paper 114 May
Paper 23 Jun
Paper 310 Jun
A formula sheet is provided

How to Improve with AQA Past Papers

The four-step revision loop. Turn mistakes into marks.

Step 1

Do a paper

Start with the latest paper and attempt it honestly.

Step 2

Mark it

Use the mark scheme to spot where you lost marks.

Step 3

Fix weak topics

Focus on your worst 2-3 topics, not everything at once.

Step 4

Test again

Try another paper and check if the mistakes are gone.

AQA Foundation Past Papers

Past papers are the fastest way to see where the marks are going.

Newest · Start here
June 2024
Paper 1Non-calculator
Paper 2Calculator
Paper 3Calculator
June 2023
Paper 1Non-calculator
Paper 2Calculator
Paper 3Calculator
June 2022
Paper 1Non-calculator
Paper 2Calculator
Paper 3Calculator
November 2021
Cancelled due to COVID-19
Paper 1Non-calculator
Paper 2Calculator
Paper 3Calculator
November 2020
Cancelled due to COVID-19
Paper 1Non-calculator
Paper 2Calculator
Paper 3Calculator
Show 2017 - 2019

AQA Foundation Grade Boundaries

See recent grade 4 and 5 boundaries and what marks you usually need.

Grade boundaries by year

June series · /240
Grade 4Grade 5

What your current score usually means

Based on 2023–2025 · out of 240
Below 157

Not yet secure for a recent grade 4

157 – 160

Recent grade 4 boundary zone

161 – 185

Solid 4 territory, building toward 5

186 – 189

Recent grade 5 boundary zone

190 +

Strong Foundation performance

Topics Worth the Most Marks
on AQA Foundation

Pick the topic costing you the most marks and start there.

25%of total marks

Number

Weak number work means lost marks everywhere else. Lay a strong foundation here.

Exam tip

Learn your times tables up to 15×15. They save time on non-calculator Paper 1.

AQA Foundation GCSE Maths FAQs

Quick answers to the most common revision questions.

Start with one past paper first. Your mistakes show you which topics are costing you marks, so you can revise those instead of guessing where to start.

Number, Ratio, and Algebra together make up around 70% of the exam. Focusing on these three areas gives you the best chance of improving your grade quickly.

Most students see a clear improvement after completing 5 to 8 papers properly. That means timed, marked, and with every mistake reviewed.

Start untimed so you can learn the method properly. Once you feel more confident, switch to timed practice so you can build speed and confidence.

Only papers from 2017 onwards are useful for full-paper practice, because they match the current GCSE Maths format. Earlier papers are only great for extra practice.

Foundation tier covers grades 1 to 5, 4 is a standard pass and 5 is a strong pass. If you want to achieve grade 6 or higher, you need to sit the Higher tier exam.

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