Grade planner · Edexcel GCSE Maths
From grade 5 to grade 7
Grade 7 is roughly the old A. It is a big step: here is how many marks it takes, and the topics where they most often come from.
The gap in marks
64–69
more marks out of 240 for a 7 than a 5: about 21–23 per paper.
| Series | Grade 5 | Grade 7 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 82 | 146 | 64 |
| June 2025 | 87 | 156 | 69 |
| June 2024 | 73 | 137 | 64 |
| June 2023 | 79 | 145 | 66 |
From Pearson's published Higher boundaries. Boundaries move every year, so these show a spread, not a prediction. All boundaries since 2017.
Where the marks are
On real Higher papers, questions at grades 6 and 7 are worth about 91 marks per exam (averaged over 12 exam series plus Pearson's specimen papers). These topics carry the most of them:
- Functions≈ 4.2 marks per examPractise
- Histograms≈ 3.8 marks per examPractise
- Compound interest, growth and decay≈ 3.7 marks per examPractise
- Pythagoras and trigonometry≈ 3.5 marks per examPractise
- Sine rule, cosine rule and area of a triangle≈ 3.5 marks per examPractise
- Circle theorems≈ 3.5 marks per examPractise
- Expanding brackets and simplifying≈ 3.3 marks per examPractise
- Powers, roots and indices≈ 3.1 marks per examPractise
- Cumulative frequency≈ 3.1 marks per examPractise
- Direct and inverse proportion≈ 3 marks per examPractise
How to close the gap
- Make your algebra fast and accurate
Expanding, factorising, rearranging and solving are part of most grade 6 and 7 questions, even ones that look like geometry or statistics.
- Learn the grade 7 topics properly
Functions, histograms, growth and decay, trigonometry, the sine and cosine rules and circle theorems are where many of these marks sit.
- Give reasons in full
Circle theorem and angle questions need the reason written in the correct words. "Angles in the same segment are equal" scores; "they're the same" doesn't.
- Don't round too early
Keep full calculator values until the final answer. Early rounding is one of the commonest ways to lose accuracy marks at this level.
- Attempt every question
Grade 7 needs marks from the second half of the paper. Even the hardest questions usually have a first method mark that most students can get.
Why grade 7 matters
Many sixth forms ask for a 7 (sometimes a 6) to study A level Maths, and it is a common requirement for further maths and competitive courses.
Higher tier only
Foundation papers are graded 1 to 5, so grade 7 can only be reached on the Higher tier.
Know where you are first
Take the Check-Up
About 25 minutes. Shows which topics are costing you marks now.
Sit a timed mock
A real paper, timed, with your mark and a grade estimate.
Grade calculator
Turn a mock total into a grade in recent exams.
Questions students ask
How many marks do you need for a grade 7 in GCSE Maths?
On Edexcel GCSE Maths, grade 7 needed 146 out of 240 on Higher in June 2026. Boundaries change every year, so aim a few marks above them.
How many more marks is grade 7 than grade 5?
On Higher, 64–69 marks out of 240 across June 2026, June 2025, June 2024, June 2023: about 21–23 marks per paper.
What should I revise to get a grade 7?
On past Higher papers, the topics carrying the most marks at grades 6 and 7 were functions; histograms; compound interest, growth and decay; Pythagoras and trigonometry; and sine rule, cosine rule and area of a triangle. Once the topics you find easier are secure, work on these next.
Can I get a grade 7 on Foundation?
No. Foundation papers are graded 1 to 5, so grades 6 to 9 are only available on the Higher tier.