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Paper 1 of the AQA GCSE Mathematics exam is a non-calculator paper. This means you must be able to carry out all calculations by hand — including those involving fractions, percentages, surds, and trigonometric exact values. This lesson covers the mental and written methods you need to master for Paper 1, along with time management strategies.
Paper 1 is worth 80 marks — one-third of your entire GCSE grade. Many students find Paper 1 the most challenging because they have become reliant on calculators. The key to success is practice: the more you work without a calculator, the faster and more accurate you become.
Even on Papers 2 and 3 (calculator papers), strong non-calculator skills help you:
Strong mental arithmetic is the foundation of Paper 1. Here are strategies to speed up your mental calculations.
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