One focus per day, building to a timed run. Work it in order.
Ranked from analysed past papers. Start at the top: if you run out of time, you will have covered the most-tested ground.
Higher tier only. A reliable non-calc question: sin, cos, tan of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, built from the two special triangles rather than memorised blind
A recurring non-calc topic. Simplifying, rationalising, and combining surds is a common show-that question
High frequency across the whole spec. On a non-calculator paper, expect to multiply or divide numbers in standard form by hand
Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions by hand is a core non-calculator skill that underpins many longer word problems
OCR-only content. Random, systematic, and stratified sampling, plus identifying bias, is explicitly named and tested by OCR in a way AQA does not examine as directly
Higher tier and OCR-only. x squared plus y squared equals r squared, and finding a tangent to a circle at a given point. Not tested by AQA or Edexcel, so do not skip it if your board is OCR
Higher tier. Converting a recurring decimal to an exact fraction using algebra, a classic non-calculator show-that question
Higher tier only. The bar height is frequency density (frequency divided by class width), not frequency, one fact worth learning properly
PrepWise has a one-page Knowledge Organiser for every topic above. In the final 3 days, use them the same way each time: cover the page, try to recall the method and a worked example from memory, check what you missed, then repeat the next day.
Rules specific to Paper 2. On this paper, structure earns as many marks as knowledge.
Method marks are your safety net on a non-calculator paper. If your final answer is wrong but the examiner can see a correct method (correct formula, correct substitution, correct rearrangement), you still pick up marks. A right answer with no working can lose marks under OCR's mark scheme too.
On Paper 2, do not convert surds or fractions to decimals unless the question asks for it. Root 12 stays as 2 root 3, one third stays as a fraction. Converting early loses accuracy marks and often makes the next step harder, not easier.
For show-that questions (common with exact trig values, recurring decimals, and algebraic proof), you are not finding an answer, you are demonstrating a fact. Write out each algebraic step in full, even ones that feel obvious.
OCR provides a formula sheet on every paper, but its contents differ slightly from AQA and Edexcel. Look at a recent OCR past paper's formula sheet before the exam so you know exactly what is given and what you need to recall.
Equation of a circle and stratified sampling calculations are OCR-specific. If you have used AQA revision materials alongside your OCR revision, double-check you have not skipped these because they were not covered there.
The errors examiners see most on this paper. Each one is an easy mark you already know how to keep.
Rounding a surd or fraction to a decimal partway through a non-calculator question → Keep the exact form (surd or fraction) all the way through. Only convert if the question specifically asks for a decimal or rounded answer
Calculating a stratified sample size using the wrong ratio (mixing up the subgroup and the total population) → The formula is: sample size x (subgroup size divided by total population size). Write out the subgroup and total clearly before dividing
Forgetting the tangent to a circle is perpendicular to the radius at that point → Find the gradient of the radius first, then use the negative reciprocal for the tangent's gradient. This links directly to the parallel and perpendicular gradients topic
Mixing up sin, cos, and tan for the exact values table → Rebuild the table from the two special triangles (equilateral split in half for 30/60, right-angled isosceles for 45) rather than memorising numbers you might muddle under pressure
Getting stuck converting a recurring decimal to a fraction because the algebra steps were not learned in order → Let x equal the recurring decimal, multiply by a power of 10 to line up the repeating digits, subtract the two equations, then solve for x. Practise this exact sequence until it is automatic
The 60 minutes before you walk in. Review what you know and settle your nerves.
You do not revise maths by reading it. Work exam-style questions in PrepWise, get them marked instantly, and see exactly which topics still cost you marks.
Open the Maths Knowledge Organisers, quiz every priority topic and walk in ready. Free during alpha.
Get started with your personalised revision