NEO supports learners registered with AQA via revision and prep alongside their primary NEO programme. Pearson Edexcel IGCSE is NEO’s primary maths offer; AQA is the dominant pathway for the existing Nudge North East cohort.
NEO does not register learners with AQA — registration sits with the LA, school, or commissioner.
Tiers and papers
- Foundation tier (8300F) — three papers, each 1h 30min, 80 marks, calculator on Papers 2 and 3 only. Targeted at grades 5–1.
- Higher tier (8300H) — three papers, each 1h 30min, 80 marks, calculator on Papers 2 and 3 only. Targeted at grades 9–4.
Note: Paper 1 is the non-calculator paper at AQA. Edexcel IGCSE allows calculators on both papers — a meaningful difference for learners moving between boards.
Content domains
Six content domains, the same at Foundation and Higher (with Higher extending the depth):
- Number
- Algebra
- Ratio, proportion and rates of change
- Geometry and measures
- Probability
- Statistics
These map directly onto the canonical KS4 Maths content strands.
Assessment Objectives
AQA’s three AOs are skill-based, cutting across all content domains:
- AO1 — Use and apply standard techniques (Foundation 50%, Higher 40%)
- AO2 — Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically (Foundation 25%, Higher 30%)
- AO3 — Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts (Foundation 25%, Higher 30%)
This is structurally different from Edexcel IGCSE, where AOs are content-aligned. Each AQA AO connects to all six canonical content strands through the cross-cutting Mathematical reasoning and problem-solving canonical strand.
Tests canonical
See each AO page for the specific canonical strands tested.
Revision support
CGP, Oxford, and Pearson revise-AQA series — see Revision guides for sourcing pattern.