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Cambridge OCR
Maths newsletter

Hello Colleague

We know it’s been just a few weeks since our last newsletter, but we wanted to bring you a few updates before the end of term. 😊  

Ofqual’s GCSE (9-1) Maths public consultation on continuing to provide formulae sheets in GCSE (9-1) Maths (and Physics & Combined Science) exams from 2028 onwards has now closed. We’ll let you know the outcome once it’s announced.

If you’ve entered candidates for GCSE (9-1) Maths exams in summer 2026, remember you still have until Tuesday 21 April to change students’ tier of entry. 

As always, if you have any queries or if we can give you any further support, please let us know. Our role is to support you as you deliver our qualifications.

Neil, Steven, Ruth, Caroline and Amy - your Maths Subject Advisors

maths@ocr.org.uk
@OCR_Maths
01223 553998
OCR-Newsletter-Box-shaddow
GCSE (9-1) Maths alternative papers
Teacher working on a laptop

We’ve just published a brand-new set of GCSE (9-1) Maths alternative papers. This set is based on the November 2025 papers. You can use them for additional exam preparation with students, or use them alongside the original question papers in order to monitor progress.

Download them now from Teach Cambridge (you’ll find them in the ‘Assessment’ section). Mark schemes for them are also available.

Teach Cambridge
GCSE (9-1) Maths – past question data now available

To help support you with preparing for exams, we’ve begun collating data from past exam questions and publishing it for you on Teach Cambridge. This can help you identify past questions on a particular topic, view each question’s assessment characteristics and see how candidates performed on it when it was set.
Teacher pointing at a laptop

The data from several of the most recent Foundation tier series is now available from Teach Cambridge (go to the ‘Assessment’ section, then ‘Assessment support’).

Data from the most recent Higher tier series will also be added to Teach Cambridge shortly.

Teach Cambridge
GCSE (9-1) Maths updates
Students in lesson

For clarity and consistency in bounds questions, we’ve updated the GCSE (9-1) Maths November 2021 J560/06 mark scheme and examiners’ report and also the practice papers (set 2) J560/05 mark scheme.

If you’re using any of these papers as mocks or to prepare students, please use these updated materials.

All are available now from Teach Cambridge (you’ll find them in the ‘Assessment’ section).

Teach Cambridge
Core Maths – New additions to ExamBuilder

We’ve added more Core Maths papers into ExamBuilder, so you now have all past papers and sample assessment materials (SAMs) available for Core Maths A & B.

ExamBuilder is our free and easy-to-use test-building platform available to all Cambridge OCR centres.
Teachers talking

Help your students prepare for their exams by using ExamBuilder to:

  • build customised tests from an extensive question bank
  • access and adapt a wide range of past papers
  • tailor questions and mark schemes to suit the needs of your students
  • create cover pages that mirror real exam formats
  • download editable Word versions of past papers to create your own alternative papers.

If your school or college isn’t using ExamBuilder yet and would like to set up an account, please visit our sign up page to get started.

ExamBuilder
Upcoming maths Teacher Networks
Teachers talking

We’re busy setting up Teacher Networks for next term and have now scheduled a few for the first half of term. These are completely free to attend and set up to bring maths teachers together, so we can share relevant updates, answer your questions, discuss best practice collectively and more. 

Book your place now for any of the below.

  • Thursday 23 April – AS / A Level Further Maths (A and B) (online) – In this network we’ll review the differences between statistics content across our Further Maths qualifications, including a look at questions plus teaching and revision ideas.
  • Tuesday 28 April – AS / A Level Maths (A and B) (online) – We’ll review the differences between mechanics content across our AS & A Level Maths qualifications, including a look at questions and teaching and revision ideas.
  • Wednesday 6 May – AS / A Level Further Maths (A and B) (online) – Here we’ll review the differences between mechanics content across our Further Maths qualifications, including a look at questions plus teaching and revision ideas.

Whether you’re already teaching a qualification or just interested in learning more, you’re very welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you there.

If you’d be interested in running a future face-to-face network at your school or college, please let us know.

Teacher Networks
Are you considering teaching our GCSE (9-1) Maths? Join our free webinars!

In a couple of weeks we'll be running three free short webinars focusing on different aspects of our GCSE (9-1) Maths.

Whether you’re new to our qualification or thinking about moving to us, these webinars will give you all you need to get started. They’re also a great opportunity for you to ask us any questions you may have.
GCSE Maths for all

Upcoming webinars:

  • 📅 Understanding the Assessment, 13 April 2026, 4.00 - 4.30pm
  • 📅 Content and Specification Overview, 16 April 2026, 4.00 - 4.30pm
  • 📅 Support and Resources, 22 April 2026, 4.00 - 4.30pm

Book your place

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