Three gruelling GCSE exam questions that only the sharpest minds will solve

24 August 2023 , 06:00

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Can you solve these tricky questions? (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)

There are few more nerve-wracking moments in life than opening up your GCSE results, especially for those who struggled to master a particular subject. As students up and down the country today open up those all-important envelopes, many adults may well have forgotten just how difficult sitting such exams can be, with even one tricky question having the power to leave stressed-out pupils feeling utterly stumped.

To mark GCSE results day, The Mirror has set puzzle-loving readers three particularly challenging questions, taken from a real paper sat by Year 11s. No cheating please, and do make sure to put your calculator firmly away.

1. For a total of two marks, have a go at this first question about two children called Lily and Hugo:

The first question is for two points

This is a pretty tough one to start with if, like many people, you've not used maths since your own GCSE days. The pressure is off a bit this time around however, as you're not being timed, and you don't need to worry anymore about being accepted on your chosen college course. If you don't manage it on your first attempt, have another look back and try again. Once you're ready to move on, have a peek at the answer below, which reveals Lily's age in months as a fraction of Hugo's age in months.

This question was handed to children in the top set of their class

Did you manage it? Don't panic if not. Everyone has their personal strengths and remember this is from a higher paper intended for true maths whizzes in the top sets of their year group. Furthermore, many of us adults simply won't be using such advanced maths skills in our day-to-day lives, unless our profession requires it of course.

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2. Once you're feeling suitably recovered, try and figure out 2,000 x 70,000, for another potential two marks, making sure to show your working out:

Make sure to show your working out

At first, this one may appear to be a bit simpler, but you'll soon find this isn't the case at all - especially when you're also being tested not just on the answer you give, but also on your working out. Even if it feels a bit daunting, give it a good go, and get your grey matter whirring away once more. When you're ready, take a look and see how well you did. Make sure to give yourself a huge gold star if your working out looks anything like this shining example.

This one is much trickier than it looks

Of course, algebra isn't everybody's cup of tea, but many do find genuine pleasure in it, and perhaps you can too, even if you've long put away your school textbooks. Just like any good puzzle, algebra helps to develop keen critical thinking and reasoning skills, and you may well find you're far better than you think after a bit of practice.

3. For three marks this time around, try and solve this equation:

Practice makes perfect when it comes to maths (AQA)

Again, working out here is just as crucial as giving the answer itself. The teacher will naturally want to see that students understand the method they're using, not just crossing their fingers and taking a lucky guess. Have a read-back through, see if you've missed anything, and maybe give your pencil a thorough sharpening, before taking a look at your third and final exam answer. Check it out for yourself below:

If you managed to get all three, give yourself an A*

Did you manage to crack all three? Give yourself a well-deserved A*, and feel free to show off to all your friends and family.

Julia Banim