Can you answer this GCSE maths question?

 Most adults would struggle!

It’s nearly the end of exams season and students sitting their exams are sensing there’s light at the end of the tunnel, most are looking forward to a well-earned summer break.

Now the 2025 GCSE maths exam are over, our Head of Maths is putting a question to the public. 

Could you solve a maths question from a real GCSE exam paper?

Ms Braithwaite has chosen an actual question from a GCSE maths paper and broken it down step by step. The aim is to show what students are being asked to tackle, and to help parents and others see how maths is taught and tested today.

A National Concern

Maths continues to be one of the toughest subjects for pupils in the UK. Last year, nationally, just 59 per cent of students achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE maths. That’s the minimum standard needed for most sixth form and college courses.

At Overton Grange School, 74% of their students achieved grades 9-4, that’s 15 percentage points above the national average!

Outside of schools, basic numeracy remains a serious issue. According to National Numeracy, nearly half of working-age adults in the UK have everyday maths skills no higher than those expected of a primary school leaver.

Employers and education leaders have raised concerns about how this affects everything from job prospects to financial decisions.

The Royal Society has called for major changes to the way maths is taught, including more focus on reasoning and better support for teachers.

At Overton Grange School staff are already helping pupils tackle the subject with a clear, practical approach. 

Alexandra Brathwaite, Head of Maths at the school, said:

"People often look at a question and think it’s too challenging or cannot be solved. But when you go through it one part at a time, it becomes manageable. That’s how we teach our students to work."

Here is the question they are inviting you to try. It’s taken directly from a GCSE maths paper.

The Question:

Chris, Debbie and Errol share some money in the ratio 3:4:2. Debbie gets £120. Chris then gives some of his share to Debbie and Errol. The money that Chris, Debbie and Errol each have is now in the ratio 2:5:3.

How much money did Chris give to Errol ?

The Solution:

Firstly, you can think of ratios as parts of an amount – in this case, money - each part is worth an equal amount of money.

• Debbie gets 4 parts of the money. We're told this equals £120.

• By doing £120 ÷ 4 = £30, you find what each part is worth. So 1 part = £30

• Chris has 3 parts, so he gets £90 (3 x £30 = £90) and Errol has 2 parts (2 x £30 = £60) so he gets £60.

• The total amount of money that Chris, Debbie and Errol get is £120+£60+£90 = £270.

• After Chris gives away some of his money the ratio changes. So now instead we have 2:5:3(Chris : Debbie : Errol), = 10 parts total.

• We can then divide our total amount into these 10 parts. £270 ÷ 10 = £27. So, 1 part is now worth £27.

• Errol gets 3 parts now, so £27 x 3 = £81 so Errol now has £81.

• To find out how much Chris gave Errol see answer below.

This is the kind of question that asks students to read carefully, think logically and apply their knowledge in a calm, structured way. These are the skills that are being tested in GCSE exams right now.

Miss Brathwaite said: "We talk about confidence a lot. It isn’t just about knowing the maths, it’s about being willing to try. Most people can do more than they think."

So, how did you do?

• Answer: Chris gave Errol £21.

To find out how much Chris gave Errol we take Errol’s new amount of money and subtract the £60 he had originally:  £81-60 = £21

“At Overton Grange School maths isn’t just about results. It’s about inspiring students to think clearly and solve problems. That’s what they are working on every day - and why we’re sharing questions like this with our community.” Added Miss Brathwaite.