The GCSE Maths formula sheet
6 min read ยท updated 2026-10-13
GCSE Maths students in England get a formulae sheet in the exam. Ofqual has decided that exam boards must keep providing formulae and equation sheets in GCSE maths, physics and combined science for the rest of the current specifications.
What Ofqual decided
- โ Boards must provide the sheets in maths, physics and combined science exams for the remaining lifetime of the current specifications
- โ Each year's sheets must be published by 1 September of the year before the exams
- โ Sheets should stay the same between years and across boards, apart from presentation
- โ Boards must not set questions that can be answered just by copying from the sheet
What's typically on the maths sheet
Formulas students previously had to memorise, such as the quadratic formula, Pythagoras' theorem, the trigonometric ratios, the sine and cosine rules and area and volume formulas for shapes like the trapezium, cone and sphere. Check your board's published sheet for the exact list.
You still need to know how to use them
- โ Choosing the right formula for the question
- โ Rearranging and substituting accurately
- โ Basic facts that aren't on the sheet, such as angle rules and area of a rectangle or triangle
- โ Practise past papers with the sheet beside you so finding a formula is quick
FAQs
Is there a formula sheet in GCSE Maths?๏ผ
Yes. Ofqual requires exam boards to provide a formulae sheet in GCSE Maths for the rest of the current specifications.
Do I still need to learn formulas for GCSE Maths?๏ผ
You need to know how to choose and use them, and some basic facts aren't on the sheet.
Is the formula sheet the same for AQA, Edexcel and OCR?๏ผ
Ofqual wants the sheets kept the same across boards and between years, apart from presentation.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-13.
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