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100+ Free CCEA GCSE Maths Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CCEA GCSE Maths Exam

A* to G

CCEA GCSE Mathematics is graded A* to G, with A* and A only via Higher Tier M4 and M8

CCEA GCSE Mathematics specification

2 units

Students take one Modular Test (45%) and one Completion Test (55%)

CCEA GCSE Mathematics specification

Units M1-M8

Foundation uses M1/M2 with M5/M6; Higher uses M3/M4 with M7/M8

CCEA / BBC Bitesize GCSE Maths CCEA

4 content areas

Number, Algebra, Geometry & Measures and Handling Data in every unit

CCEA GCSE Mathematics specification

AO1 45-55%

Recall and use of knowledge carries the largest assessment-objective weighting

CCEA GCSE Mathematics specification

Non-calc + calc

Each Completion Test has a non-calculator Paper 1 and a calculator Paper 2

CCEA GCSE Mathematics specification

Subject code 2210

CCEA GCSE Mathematics (2017 specification, qualification number G9602)

CCEA GCSE Mathematics specification

100

Free original practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

CCEA GCSE Mathematics is Northern Ireland's modular GCSE in maths, set by CCEA. Students complete one Modular Test (M1-M4, worth 45%) and one Completion Test (M5-M8, worth 55%); Foundation uses M1/M2 with M5/M6 and Higher uses M3/M4 with M7/M8. Completion Tests include a non-calculator Paper 1 and a calculator Paper 2. Every unit covers four content areas - Number, Algebra, Geometry & Measures and Handling Data - across assessment objectives AO1 (45-55%), AO2 (25-35%) and AO3 (15-25%). Grades run A* to G, with A* and A available only via the Higher Tier M4 and M8 route. This 100-question bank gives original single-best-answer practice spanning both tiers in UK/NI sterling context.

Sample CCEA GCSE Maths Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CCEA GCSE Maths exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the value of the digit 7 in the number 4 783 used to write a price of £4,783?
A.7
B.70
C.700
D.7,000
Explanation: In 4 783 the 7 sits in the hundreds column, so its value is 7 x 100 = 700. Place value depends on the column a digit occupies, not just the digit itself.
2Write 0.375 as a fraction in its simplest form.
A.3/8
B.3/4
C.37/100
D.5/16
Explanation: 0.375 = 375/1000. Dividing top and bottom by 125 gives 3/8. Always simplify by dividing by the highest common factor.
3A jacket costs £60. In a sale the price is reduced by 15%. What is the sale price?
A.£45
B.£51
C.£55
D.£57
Explanation: 15% of £60 = 0.15 x 60 = £9, so the sale price is £60 - £9 = £51. Equivalently, multiply by 0.85: 60 x 0.85 = £51.
4Share £240 between Aoife and Liam in the ratio 3 : 5. How much does Liam receive?
A.£90
B.£120
C.£150
D.£160
Explanation: The ratio has 3 + 5 = 8 parts, so one part is £240 / 8 = £30. Liam gets 5 parts: 5 x £30 = £150.
5Calculate 2/3 + 1/4, giving your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.
A.3/7
B.11/12
C.5/7
D.3/12
Explanation: Use a common denominator of 12: 2/3 = 8/12 and 1/4 = 3/12, so the sum is 11/12. The numerator and denominator share no common factor, so it is already simplest.
6Write 45 000 in standard form.
A.4.5 x 10^3
B.45 x 10^3
C.4.5 x 10^4
D.0.45 x 10^5
Explanation: Standard form is A x 10^n where 1 <= A < 10. 45 000 = 4.5 x 10 000 = 4.5 x 10^4. The decimal point moves four places.
7Evaluate 5^2 x 5^3.
A.5^5
B.5^6
C.25^5
D.10^5
Explanation: When multiplying powers of the same base, add the indices: 5^2 x 5^3 = 5^(2+3) = 5^5. The base stays the same.
8A car travels 150 miles using 5 gallons of petrol. At the same rate, how many gallons are needed for 240 miles?
A.6 gallons
B.7 gallons
C.8 gallons
D.9 gallons
Explanation: The rate is 150 / 5 = 30 miles per gallon. For 240 miles you need 240 / 30 = 8 gallons. This is direct proportion.
9Round 3.0764 to two decimal places.
A.3.07
B.3.08
C.3.076
D.3.10
Explanation: The third decimal digit is 6, which is 5 or more, so we round the second decimal up: 3.07 becomes 3.08. The digits after are then dropped.
10A coat is reduced to £85 in a sale, which is 20% off the original price. What was the original price?
A.£102
B.£105
C.£106.25
D.£100
Explanation: After a 20% reduction, £85 represents 80% of the original. Original = 85 / 0.80 = £106.25. Dividing by the multiplier reverses a percentage change.

About the CCEA GCSE Maths Exam

CCEA GCSE Mathematics is the Northern Ireland GCSE in maths, set by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) rather than an English board. It uses a unitised (modular) structure: students complete one Modular Test and one Completion Test. Foundation Tier candidates take a unit from M1 or M2 plus a completion unit from M5 or M6, while Higher Tier candidates take M3 or M4 plus M7 or M8. The Modular Test is worth 45% and the Completion Test 55%; the Completion Test has a non-calculator Paper 1 and a calculator Paper 2. Every unit assesses the same four content areas - Number, Algebra, Geometry & Measures, and Handling Data - against three assessment objectives (recall and use of knowledge, selecting and applying methods, and interpreting and solving problems). Grades run A* to G, with A* and A awarded only through the Higher Tier M4 and M8 route.

Assessment

Modular qualification. Students take one Modular Test (M1, M2, M3 or M4, 45%) and one Completion Test (M5, M6, M7 or M8, 55%). Foundation Tier uses M1/M2 with M5/M6; Higher Tier uses M3/M4 with M7/M8. All units assess Number, Algebra, Geometry & Measures and Handling Data.

Time Limit

Foundation: Modular Test 1 hour 45 minutes, Completion Test Paper 1 (non-calc) 1 hour and Paper 2 (calc) 1 hour. Higher: Modular Test 2 hours, Completion Test Paper 1 and Paper 2 about 1 hour 15 minutes each.

Passing Score

No single pass mark. Graded A* to G; A* and A are awarded only at subject level from the combined Higher Tier M4 and M8 marks. Raw mark boundaries are set independently each series.

Exam Fee

No fee is paid directly by students. Entry fees for CCEA GCSE Mathematics units are paid by schools and registered centres; private candidates are charged by the centre that enters them. (CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment), Northern Ireland)

CCEA GCSE Maths Exam Content Outline

28%

Number

Place value, four operations, fractions, decimals and percentages, ratio and proportion, percentage change and reverse percentages, indices, standard form, rounding, estimation and bounds, with surds and converting recurring decimals to fractions at Higher Tier.

28%

Algebra

Simplifying expressions, expanding and factorising, solving linear, simultaneous and quadratic equations, rearranging formulae, inequalities, arithmetic and quadratic sequences and the nth term, functions, and interpreting straight-line and curved graphs.

26%

Geometry and Measures

Angles, parallel lines and polygons, circle theorems, Pythagoras' theorem and trigonometry (including SOHCAHTOA and the sine and cosine rules at Higher), area, surface area and volume, arcs and sectors, transformations, constructions, bearings and vectors.

18%

Handling Data

Averages and range from lists and frequency tables, bar charts, pie charts and frequency diagrams, cumulative frequency and box plots, scatter graphs and correlation, and probability including relative frequency, tree diagrams and combined events.

How to Pass the CCEA GCSE Maths Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No single pass mark. Graded A* to G; A* and A are awarded only at subject level from the combined Higher Tier M4 and M8 marks. Raw mark boundaries are set independently each series.
  • Assessment: Modular qualification. Students take one Modular Test (M1, M2, M3 or M4, 45%) and one Completion Test (M5, M6, M7 or M8, 55%). Foundation Tier uses M1/M2 with M5/M6; Higher Tier uses M3/M4 with M7/M8. All units assess Number, Algebra, Geometry & Measures and Handling Data.
  • Time limit: Foundation: Modular Test 1 hour 45 minutes, Completion Test Paper 1 (non-calc) 1 hour and Paper 2 (calc) 1 hour. Higher: Modular Test 2 hours, Completion Test Paper 1 and Paper 2 about 1 hour 15 minutes each.
  • Exam fee: No fee is paid directly by students. Entry fees for CCEA GCSE Mathematics units are paid by schools and registered centres; private candidates are charged by the centre that enters them.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CCEA GCSE Maths Study Tips from Top Performers

1Learn which units you are entered for (for example M2 and M6, or M4 and M8) and download the matching CCEA past papers and mark schemes for focused practice.
2Practise non-calculator skills deliberately, because each Completion Test has a Paper 1 with no calculator - long multiplication, fractions and standard form by hand come up regularly.
3Memorise the formulae you are expected to recall, such as area and volume formulae, Pythagoras' theorem and the trigonometric ratios, and know which are given in the exam.
4Show clear working on multi-step questions; CCEA awards method marks, so a wrong final answer with correct working still scores.
5Use the mark schemes to learn the exact wording examiners expect, especially for circle theorem reasons and probability explanations.
6For Higher Tier, drill the topics that only appear there - surds, the sine and cosine rules, vectors and quadratic sequences - as these separate A* and A grades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of CCEA GCSE Mathematics?

It is modular. Students take one Modular Test (M1, M2, M3 or M4, worth 45%) and one Completion Test (M5, M6, M7 or M8, worth 55%). Foundation Tier uses M1/M2 with M5/M6; Higher Tier uses M3/M4 with M7/M8.

How is CCEA GCSE Maths graded?

Grades run A* to G. A* and A are awarded only at subject level from the combined Higher Tier M4 and M8 marks. Foundation Tier units lead to grades roughly C to G, and Higher Tier units to grades up to A*.

Can students use a calculator?

Modular Tests (M1-M4) are calculator exams. Each Completion Test (M5-M8) has a non-calculator Paper 1 followed immediately by a calculator Paper 2, so students must practise both.

What content areas are assessed?

Every unit assesses four areas: Number, Algebra, Geometry & Measures, and Handling Data. They are tested against assessment objectives AO1 (recall and use of knowledge), AO2 (selecting and applying methods) and AO3 (interpreting and solving problems).

How is CCEA GCSE Maths different from English boards like AQA or Edexcel?

CCEA is the Northern Ireland board and uses a modular Modular Test plus Completion Test structure with units M1-M8, whereas English reformed GCSE maths uses three terminal papers graded 9 to 1. CCEA still grades A* to G.

Are these official CCEA questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep single-best-answer practice questions modelled on the CCEA content areas. CCEA provides official past papers and mark schemes for each unit separately on its website.