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Mainly Maths provides resources for GCSE Maths. These include AQA Maths past papers and a number of online tests (quizzes). Some of these resources were developed as inde- pendent learning and self-test materials for mature students.
Adults wishing to study GCSE Maths sometimes need a flexible course. This page includes a list of a few colleges that provide GCSE Maths with a flexible component.
Online tests (quizzes) for GCSE maths. You submit your answers online for electronic marking.
Use the tests for revision or to assess your progress. See the online tests page
and the resources page.
More Info
First you download the test question paper called a Test Booklet, that includes space to record your working. You then submit your answers using the online quiz for immediate marking and feedback.
To self-assess your readiness for a GCSE Maths course. The test is suitable if you have not studied maths for a while and are considering joining a maths class as a mature student. See the online tests page.
A small selection of booklets, mainly statistics. Use the resources page (menu on left) to view a booklet. A four page sample from the Histograms booklet is shown below. The booklet includes the higher tier work on histograms but some of the content is relevant to foundation. If the sample does not display correctly see the detail in the right-hand panel.
Sample from Histograms BookletClick big/small to switch between the small and full size views.
To download the complete Histograms booklet, go to the resources page and click "Histograms (PDF version)".
This section provides links to the AQA GCSE past-papers and marking, exam timetables and grading. Mostly about GCSEs but some more general relevance. See maths papers and exam info in the menu.
Aberdeen College
Bradford College
Craven College
Lincoln College
Northampton College
Shrewsbury College
Southern Regional College
University of Northampton
Adult students: try the pre-GCSE online diagnostic test, to check if you are ready for a GCSE Maths course.
Browser and Adobe Reader Test
Most of the resources available through this site are in PDF format. These notes assume that you use Adobe software to view
and print PDF documents.
There are two ways to show a PDF document in a web browser.
This site uses both methods and both require that a plug-in (an add-on in Internet Explorer) is enabled in your web browser.
The sample from the Histograms booklet, in the left-hand panel, uses the second method. You should check that the sample displays correctly.
As of 2011, provided you use recent versions of your browser and Adobe, there should be no problem.
If there is a problem, before you attempt a fix, you should first try refreshing the page - press f5 or Ctrl+f5.
More Info
If you cannot normally view a PDF in your browser then check Adobe's browser setting. Open Adobe Reader, select the Preferences item
from the Edit menu and select the Internet category. The "Display PDF in browser" box should be checked. Click OK.
After changing this setting you may have to re-start the PC. Also, the Adobe add-on, also called a plug-in,
must be enabled in the browser.
If Adobe and its plug-in are set up correctly and if the sample document is not visible, it could be that you are using
old software. There may be a message in place of the sample document or an empty frame, and it is likely that you need
to upgrade your browser and/or Adobe.
Chrome Users
Chrome is a clutter free and fast browser. Possibly because of its lightweight design, you may experience printing and other problems with PDFs.
Chrome does not use the Adobe Reader plug-in. It uses its own Chrome ‘PDF Viewer plug-in’ which does not support some of the Adobe features.
More Info
One problem is that Chrome may not correctly size a document. Look at the sample document. It is set to 'fit width' so that the full page
width of the document is displayed in the small frame. You should see the whole page but, with Chrome, you may see a zoomed in view of just part of the page.
This is fixed by disabling the Chrome PDF Viewer plug-in.
If you experience problems, the likely cause is Chrome's PDF Viewer plug-in. To disable Chrome’s plug-in and to enable the Adobe Reader plug-in, see this link: Chrome Plug-in
Using an Embedded Document
To access the Adobe context menu, right-click the sample document. You are recommended to select Hand Tool from the menu
(click Hand Tool). Notice the Print option on the menu. Use that option, or Ctrl+P, to print a PDF. If there is no Print
option, consider an Adobe Reader upgrade.
To interact with the sample document, for example to scroll the content with the arrow keys, you first have to click inside the document. The arrow keys and the mouse wheel will then scroll the PDF. To restore scrolling to the browser window, click any part of the window outside the PDF frame.
Adobe Reader Upgrade
If, as is likely, you use Adobe Reader, you may wish to upgrade to the most recent version - currently v10 and called
Adobe Reader X. To upgrade Adobe Reader, click
Adobe.