Geometry and Measures - Edexcel GCSE Higher Maths

Geometry and measures is worth 17 to 23 per cent of the Higher marks on Edexcel 1MA1, and it holds the longest questions on the paper. Circle theorems, the sine and cosine rules, similar shapes and vector proof are all set as multi-step problems late in a paper, often for 4 to 6 marks at a time.

Two things decide how these questions score. The first is knowing what the paper hands you. For the 2025 to 2027 windows every 1MA1 paper comes with an Exam Aid sheet carrying the trapezium and prism formulae, the circle formulae, Pythagoras, the right-angled ratios, the sine and cosine rules and the area rule, while cone, sphere and pyramid formulae are printed in the questions that need them. Arc length, sector area and the exact trigonometric values are not given anywhere, so those are the ones to learn. The second is written reasoning. Edexcel awards marks for naming the reason, so 'angles in the same segment are equal' earns a mark that the correct number alone does not.

Choose a topic below to see the way Edexcel sets it, work through an example with each mark labelled, and practise questions that are marked instantly.