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AQA HIGHER maths past papers and more

Below you will find all available past papers, mark schemes and grade boundaries for the AQA higher examination. Also included is the course specification and other useful information, including the dates of your examinations this year.

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AQA grade boundaries (9 - 3): higher
The maximum mark, totalled from all three papers, is 240. AQA's exam grade boundaries can change a little from year to year. Although AQA work hard to set exam papers with the same level of difficulty, small variations do occur. To compensate, grade boundaries fluxuate depending upon the difficulty of the paper. 

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AQA HIGHER 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
June 2017 79% = 189 65.5% = 157 52% = 125 41% = 98 30% = 72 19% = 46 14% = 33
November 2017 81% = 194 66.5% = 159 51.5% = 124 40% = 96 28.5% = 68 16.5% = 40 11% = 26
June 2018 84% = 201 70.5% = 169 57.5% = 138 44.5% = 107 32% = 77 19.5% = 47 13.5% = 32
November 2018 81% = 194 66.5% = 160 52.5% = 126 40% = 96 27.5% = 66 15.5% = 37 9% = 22
June 2019 86% = 206 71.5% = 171 56.5% = 136 44% = 105 31% = 74 18% = 43 11.5% = 27
November 2019 83% = 199 70% = 168 57% = 137 44.5% = 107 32.5% = 78 20.5% = 49 14% = 34
COVID Nov 2020 81% = 194 66.5% = 159 51.5% = 124 39.5% = 95 28% = 67 16.5% = 39 10.5% = 25
COVID Nov 2021 80% = 192 64.5% = 155 49.5% = 119 37.5% = 90 26% = 62 14% = 34 8.5% = 20
June 2022 89% = 214 77% = 185 65% = 156 50.5% = 121 36% = 86 21% = 51 14% = 33
Nov 2022 84% = 201 71.5% = 172 59.5% = 143 46.5% = 111 33% = 79 20% = 48 13% = 32
June 2023

NOTE: percentages are rounded to nearest 0.5%

AQA HIGHER past papers & mark schemes


Practicing past papers should rank highly on any students list of prioritys. BUT THIS ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH. It vital is that students mark their answers and then seek help/support from teachers/friends/family/a tutor etc, to work on "plugging" these gaps in knowledge and understanding.


  • Access and download a past paper.
  • Mark your answers using the mark scheme. 
  • Seek help to understand questions you are unable to answer, complete more revision on weak topic areas.


The impact of covid.  Summer 2020 = no exam took place. Instead, the summer 2020 papers are used for the autumn's 2020 examinations. Summer 2021 = no exam took place. Once again, the summer 2021 papers are transfered to the November 2021 examinations.


Unavailable papers. The most recent past papers are not available for public to use, as schools typically use the latest papers for student mock exams. Hence, you will not find the November 2022 and June 2023 published papers on websites.


This examination comprises of three papers.

Paper 1 is NO calculator = 1.5 hours, score 80.

Paper 2 uses a calculator = 1.5 hours, score 80.

Paper 3 uses a calculator = 1.5 hours, score 80.

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The dates of the next GCSE maths exam: May & June 2024

Here are the dates of the summer examinations.

Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3
Thurs 16th May Monday 3rd June Monday 10th June

More about the AQA maths series 8300


AQA is an independent education charity, their income is reinvested back into charitable activities and funds research. Their principle is to support young people facing challenges in life realise their potential. The AQA GCSE series 8300 maths exams are less wordy than Edexcel but can feel more abstract in nature. AQA papers contain multiple choice questions (10%). Learners/parents may find useful to download the course specification and AQA's maths formula sheet from the links provided. 

Higher past papers from other exam boards

Edexcel: 1MA1  spec A

Edexcel higher

OCR: series J560

OCR higher
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