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Introduction 5
Higher course overview 6
Higher units 7
This Higher tier diagnostic document is intended to support students in accessing the Higher tier of the new GCSE
(9–1) Mathematics specification.
This document lists the units in the Higher tier scheme of work, suggests questions to establish whether a student has
the required prior knowledge, and provides a mapping of references to the Foundation scheme of work (and
occasionally the Access to Foundation tier scheme of work) should the student need to refresh their understanding or
develop a particular skill. Teachers can then turn to the relevant unit(s) in the Foundation scheme of work for additional
support, including objectives, possible success criteria, opportunities for reasoning and problem-solving, and common
misconceptions.
For later Higher tier units, prior knowledge has sometimes not been covered in the Foundation scheme of work. In these
instances, a reference to an earlier Higher tier unit is provided, along with diagnostic questions to check that this
knowledge has been acquired.
Our free support for the GCSE Mathematics specification (1MA1) can be found on the Edexcel mathematics website
(http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/home.html) and on the Emporium (www.edexcelmaths.com).
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Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
UNIT 1: Powers, decimals, HCF and LCM, positive and negative, roots,
rounding, reciprocals, standard form, indices and surds
Return to Overview
SUB-UNITS
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
understand place value, Given the digits 2, 5, 7 and Foundation Unit 1: Number, powers,
order integers and 9, make all the possible decimals, HCF and LCM, roots and
decimals and use the four three-digit number with one rounding
operations
decimal place and put them
in order.
Addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division
questions with up to three
digits and one decimal place
recall multiplication facts Quick-fire multiplication and Foundation Unit 1a: Integers and
to 10 × 10 division questions. e.g. place value
6×7=
8×9=
35 ÷ 5 =
132 ÷ 12 =
multiply and divide by 10, Multiply 24.75 by 10, 100, Foundation Unit 1a: Integers and
100 and 1000 1000 place value
recall and identify Which of these numbers is a Foundation Unit 1c: Indices, powers
squares, square roots, square number? Which is a and roots
cubes and cube roots cube? Explain your answers.
2, 5, 8, 12, 16, 20, 28
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
use negative numbers 4 – (–6) = Foundation Unit 1a: Integers and
with the four operations, place value
recall and use the –6 × 3 =
hierarchy of operations Foundation Unit 1c: Indices, powers
and understand inverse 18 ÷ = –3 and roots
operations
4 × 7 – 16 ÷ 2 =
deal with decimals and Use a calculator to calculate: Foundation Unit 1c: Indices, powers
negatives on a calculator and roots
–6.5 × –4.2 =
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Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
UNIT 3: Averages and range, collecting data, representing data
Return to Overview
SUB-UNITS
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
read scales on graphs, On cm-squared paper, draw Foundation Unit 3a: Tables, charts
draw circles, measure axes for x and y from 0 to 8. and graphs
angles and plot
Plot these points:
coordinates in the first Foundation Unit 3b: Pie charts
(1, 0), (2, 6), (7, 8).
quadrant
Join to make a triangle. Foundation Unit 6a: Properties of
Measure the angles. shapes, parallel lines and angle facts
On the same coordinate grid, Foundation Unit 15a: Plans and
use a pair of compasses to elevations
draw a circle centre (5, 4),
radius 4 cm. What are the
coordinates of the point
where the circle touches the
x-axis?
use tally charts What number does this Foundation Unit 3: Drawing and
represent? interpreting graphs, tables and charts
find the midpoint of two What number is in the middle Foundation Unit 7: Statistics,
numbers of 3 and 9? 42 and 50? sampling and the averages
Return to Overview
SUB-UNITS
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
use the four operations of See questions for Unit 1 Foundation Unit 1a: Integers and
number place value
find common factors What factor is common to 8 Foundation Unit 1d: Factors,
and 12? To 14 and 35? multiples and primes
2
Shade 3 of
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Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
UNIT 5: Angles, polygons, parallel lines; Right-angled triangles: Pythagoras
and trigonometry
Return to Overview
SUB-UNITS
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
rearrange simple If t = 6h – 3, write an Foundation Unit 2: Expressions,
formulae and equations expression for h substituting into simple formulae,
expanding and factorising
recall basic angle facts On squared paper, draw a Foundation Unit 6a: Properties of
right-angled triangle with one shapes, parallel lines and angle facts
acute and one obtuse angle. 6b - G3, G6
x
30°
y 45°
0.3 × 50 = 15
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
identify coordinates of Draw axes for values of x and Foundation Unit 9a: Real-life graphs
given points in the first y from –5 to +5.
quadrant or all four
quadrants Plot the points (2, 3), (–3, 2)
and (–2, –3), which form
three corners of a square.
What are the coordinates of
the fourth corner?
use Pythagoras’ Theorem Find the length of the Foundation Unit 12: Right-angled
unknown side. triangles: Pythagoras and
trigonometry
x cm
5 cm
12 cm
calculate the area of Find the area of this shape. Foundation Unit 8: Perimeter, area
compound shapes and volume
3 cm
6 cm
7 cm
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Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
use and draw conversion 5 miles ≈ 8 kilometres Foundation Unit 9a: Real-life graphs
graphs for common units Draw axes with scales from 0
to 80 km on the horizontal
axis and 0 to 50 miles on the
vertical axis. Plot a line to
show the relationship
between miles and
kilometres.
Estimate 20 km in miles.
Estimate 40 m in kilometres.
use function machines Findy when x = 3. Foundation Unit 1a: Integers and
and inverse operations x → ×2 → +5 = y place value
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
name and identify the Sketch a cuboid, a cylinder Foundation Unit 15a: Plans and
properties of 3D forms and a square-based pyramid. elevations
find perimeter and area Measure the sides of this Foundation Unit 8: Perimeter, area
by measuring lengths of rectangle. Find its perimeter and volume
sides and area.
substitute numbers into Use the formula A = πr2 to Foundation Unit 5a: Equations and
an equation and give find the area of this circle. inequalities
answers to an appropriate Give your answer to an
degree of accuracy Foundation Unit 1b: Decimals
appropriate degree of
accuracy.
1.7 cm
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Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
understand the various Match each item to the most Foundation Unit 8: Perimeter, area
metric units appropriate unit you could and volume
use to measure it.
a Transformations
b Constructions, loci and bearings
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
recognise 2D shapes Make different shapes using Foundation Unit 6: Angles, polygons
two congruent right-angled and parallel lines
triangles by matching equal
sides, and name the shapes
produced. (There are six:
rectangle, kite, two
parallelograms, two isosceles
triangles.)
plot coordinates in four See questions for Unit 6. Foundation Unit 9a: Real-life graphs
quadrants
plot linear equations On cm-squared paper, draw Foundation Unit 9b: Straight-line
parallel to the coordinate axes for x and y from 0 to 8. graphs
axes Plot the lines x = 4 and
y = –2.
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Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
UNIT 9: Algebra: Solving quadratic equations and inequalities, solving
simultaneous equations algebraically
Return to Overview
SUB-UNITS
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
understand the ≥ and ≤ List the positive integers that Foundation Unit 1a: Integers and
symbols satisfy the inequality place value
10 > x ≥ 6.
substitute into, solve and What is the value of h in this Foundation Unit 2b: Expressions and
rearrange linear formula, if C = 10? substitution into formulae
equations C = 5h + 20
factorise simple quadratic Factorise x2 – x – 6, Foundation Unit 16a: Quadratic
expressions equations: expanding and factorising
recognise the equation of Which of these equations is Higher Unit 6c: Quadratic, cubic and
a circle the equation of a circle? other graphs
y = x2 + 16
x2 + y2 = 52
x + y = 25
Return to Overview
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
distinguish between Match to events to how likely Foundation Unit 13: Probability
events which are they are to occur.
impossible, unlikely, even
chance, likely, and certain 1 Christmas will fall on 25
to occur December this year.
2 The sun will rise at
midnight tonight.
3 You will score an even
number if you roll an
ordinary, fair dice.
4 The next person you meet
likes chocolate.
5 If you buy a lottery ticket,
you will win the jackpot.
A Impossible B Unlikely
C Even chance D Likely
E Certain
1 1
P(blue) = 2 P(red) = 4
1 3
P(green) = 5 P(pink) = 10
P(black) = 0 P(marble) = 1
0 1
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Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
UNIT 11: Multiplicative reasoning: direct and inverse proportion, relating to
graph form for direct, compound measures, repeated proportional change
Return to Overview
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
find a percentage of an What is 45% of 300? Foundation Unit 4b: Fractions and
amount and relate percentages
percentages to decimals What is the decimal
equivalent of 6%?
rearrange equations and A square has sides of d + 3. Foundation Unit 5a: Equations and
use these to solve A rectangle has sides of inequalities
problems 3d + 1 and d – 3. They have
the same length perimeter.
Find d.
Return to Overview
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
recognise and enlarge Enlarge this triangle by a Foundation Unit 10: Transformations
shapes and calculate scale factor of 2.
scale factors
Shape B is an enlargement of
shape A. What is the scale
factor?
calculate area and What is the area of a Foundation Unit 8: Perimeter, area
volume in various metric rectangle that measures 4.5 and volume
measures m by 6 m?
measure lines and angles Use compasses and a ruler to Foundation Unit 3b: Pie charts
and use compasses, ruler construct this triangle
and protractor to accurately. Foundation Unit 6a: Properties of
construct standard shapes, parallel lines and angle facts
constructions
y Foundation Unit 8: Perimeter, area
x a
and volume
40° 35°
Foundation Unit 15b: Constructions,
6 cm
loci and bearings
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Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
1
UNIT 13: Sine and cosine rules, 2 ab sin C, trigonometry and Pythagoras’
Theorem in 3D, trigonometric graphs, and accuracy and bounds
Return to Overview
SUB-UNITS
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
use axes and coordinates See questions for Unit 6. Foundation Unit 9a: Real-life graphs
to specify points in all
four quadrants
recall and apply See questions for Unit 6. Foundation Unit 12: Right-angled
Pythagoras’ Theorem and triangles: Pythagoras and
trigonometric ratios Use the cosine rule to find trigonometry
the value of a.
11 cm
32°
a cm
substitute into formulae See questions for Unit 9. Foundation Unit 5a: Equations and
inequalities
Return to Overview
SUB-UNITS
a Collecting data
b Cumulative frequency, box plots and histograms
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
understand the different Sort the following data into Foundation Unit 3a: Tables, charts
types of data: two groups: discrete and and graphs
discrete/continuous continuous.
A Heights of 10 students
B Number of pets owned by
30 students
C Favourite colours of 15
students
D Mass of 20 apples
use inequality notation See questions for Unit 3. Foundation Unit 1a: Integers and
place value
understand the data Put these four steps in the Foundation Unit 7: Statistics,
handling cycle correct order. sampling and the averages
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Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
UNIT 15: Quadratics, expanding more than two brackets, sketching graphs,
graphs of circles, cubes and quadratics
Return to Overview
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
solve quadratics and Solve these equations. Foundation Unit 5a: Equations and
linear equations 3(x – 6) = 6 inequalities
x2 – 3x – 28 = 0
Foundation Unit 16: Algebra:
quadratic equations and graphs
Return to Overview
SUB-UNITS
a Circle theorems
b Circle geometry
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
draw circles with See questions for Unit 3. Foundation Unit 15a: Plans and
compasses elevations
recall the words, centre, Use the following words to fill Foundation Unit 17: Circles,
radius, diameter and in the gaps. cylinders, cones and spheres
circumference
centre circumference
diameter radius
recall the relationship of Line A has gradient 2. Higher Unit 6b: Linear graphs and
the gradient between two Line B is perpendicular to coordinate geometry
perpendicular lines Line A.
Write down the gradient of
Line B.
find the equation of the Find the equation of the line Foundation Unit 20: Rearranging
straight line, given a with gradient 3 that passes equations, graphs of cubic and
gradient and a coordinate through the point (2, 4). reciprocal functions and simultaneous
equations
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Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
UNIT 17: Changing the subject of formulae (more complex), algebraic
fractions, solving equations arising from algebraic fractions, rationalising
surds, proof
Return to Overview
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
simplify surds 12 . Higher Unit 1c: Factors, multiples,
Simplify
primes, standard form and surds
use negative numbers See questions for Unit 2. Foundation Unit 1a: Integers and
with all four operations place value
recall and use the See questions for Unit 2. Foundation Unit 1a: Integers and
hierarchy of operations place value
Return to Overview
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
use vectors to describe Write as a column vector the Foundation Unit 10: Transformations
translations transformation that maps
shape A onto shape B.
use Pythagoras’ Theorem See questions for Unit 6. Foundation Unit 12: Right-angled
triangles: Pythagoras and
trigonometry
identify properties of See questions for Unit 8. Foundation Unit 6a: Properties of
triangles and shapes, parallel lines and angle facts
quadrilaterals
25
Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
UNIT 19: Direct and indirect proportion: using statements of
proportionality, reciprocal and exponential graphs, rates of change in
graphs, functions, transformations of graphs
Return to Overview
SUB-UNITS
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Students will be able to: Possible diagnostic Students will need to work on the
questions objectives covered in:
draw linear and quadratic Sketch the following graphs. Foundation Unit 9: Real-life and
graphs y = 2x – 3 algebraic linear graphs
y = x2
Foundation Unit 16b: Quadratic
equations: graphs
calculate the gradient of a A line passes through the Foundation Unit 9a: Real-life graphs
linear function between points (1, 2) and (7, 5).
two points Find the gradient of the line.
recall transformations of Sketch the graph of y = sin x. Higher Unit 13a: Graphs of
trigonometric functions On the same axes, sketch trigonometric functions
the graph of y = 2 sin x.
write statements of direct a is directly proportional to b. Foundation Unit 11b: Proportion
proportion and form an a = 18 when b = 1.5.
equation to find values Form an equation involving a
and b and solve it to find the
value of a when b = 7.
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Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Mathematics
Higher tier diagnostic document – Issue 1 April 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016