UK Core Maths is a family of Level 3 Mathematics qualifications for students who have passed GCSE Mathematics but are not taking AS or A-Level Mathematics and still need strong quantitative skills for further study, work and everyday decision-making.
This page compares three current routes with distinct assessment structures: AQA Level 3 Mathematical Studies 1350, OCR Core Maths A (MEI) H868 and OCR Core Maths B (MEI) H869.
Who Core Maths is for
Core Maths extends GCSE Mathematics into real quantitative contexts without becoming a full A-Level Mathematics course. OCR describes its Core Maths qualifications as equal in size and UCAS tariff points to an AS Level and aimed at students who need Mathematics to support other Level 3 subjects and future study or employment.
AQA Level 3 Mathematical Studies 1350
AQA 1350 is a linear qualification built around data, personal finance, estimation and critical analysis of models, with one optional applied route.
| Paper | Current structure |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 · 1350/1 | 1h 30m · 60 marks · calculator allowed · data, personal finance and estimation |
| Paper 2A | Statistical Techniques · 1h 30m · 60 marks |
| Paper 2B | Critical Path and Risk Analysis · 1h 30m · 60 marks |
| Paper 2C | Graphical Techniques · 1h 30m · 60 marks |
Students take Paper 1 plus one of 2A, 2B or 2C. Preliminary material and a formula sheet are provided under the current structure, with statistical tables also supplied for 2A.
OCR Core Maths A (MEI) H868
OCR Core Maths A emphasises critical mathematical thinking and real-life problem solving.
- H868/01 Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning: 2 hours · 72 marks · 50%.
- H868/02 Critical Maths: 2 hours · 60 marks · 50%.
Content includes modelling, statistics, finance, spreadsheets, exponentials, graphs and gradients, geometry/measures, risk, estimation, problem solving and communication. Both papers use pre-release material for some questions.
OCR Core Maths B (MEI) H869
OCR Core Maths B uses the same quantitative-reasoning foundation but gives its second component a stronger statistical emphasis and makes substantial use of authentic data.
- H869/01 Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning: 2 hours · 72 marks · 50%.
- H869/02 Statistical Problem Solving: 2 hours · 60 marks · 50%.
Core Maths B introduces students to working with a large pre-release data set and a statistical problem-solving cycle. This makes it especially relevant to subjects such as biology, environmental science, psychology, geography and sociology.
Which route fits?
| Need | Route to examine |
|---|---|
| Finance, data, modelling and one specialist applied option | AQA Mathematical Studies 1350 |
| Critical quantitative reasoning across real-life problems | OCR Core Maths A H868 |
| Stronger statistics / authentic data-set emphasis | OCR Core Maths B H869 |
| Full algebra/calculus route for Mathematics-heavy degrees | A-Level Mathematics, not Core Maths |
AQA 2027 dates
- Paper 1: 11 May 2027, PM.
- Paper 2A / 2B / 2C: 19 May 2027, AM.
Core Maths is not “easier A-Level Maths”
The qualifications solve a different problem. They are designed around quantitative reasoning, data, finance, modelling, risk and real decisions rather than the full pure-Mathematics progression of A-Level Mathematics. A student aiming for Mathematics, Engineering, Physics or another degree with explicit A-Level/H2-style Mathematics prerequisites should check those prerequisites directly rather than assume Core Maths substitutes for them.
World Mathematics route: return to the World Mathematics Atlas for GCSE, A-Level, international and university Mathematics pathways.
Official sources checked 28 September 2026: AQA Level 3 Mathematical Studies 1350, OCR Core Maths A H868, and OCR Core Maths B H869.