GCSE Statistics Topics by Exam Board: Full List

There are different exam boards that offer GCSE statistics qualifications. This can make finding information about the content that is covered confusing for students and parents. This article details the GCSE statistics topics that are covered for each of the main exam boards, so you can rest assured that you know what you need to know for success in your GCSE statistics exams. 

The two most popular GCSE statistics courses, which are covered in this article, are:

• Edexcel GCSE Statistics (1ST0)

• AQA GCSE Statistics (8382)

The two courses have almost identical content, and both courses are offered in Higher and Foundation tiers. 

The topics for Edexcel GCSE Statistics are listed first, followed by a summary of the differences for AQA GCSE Statistics.

Edexcel GCSE Statistics Topics

Edexcel GCSE Maths can be broadly divided into the following topic areas:

1. The Collection of Data

2. Processing, Representing & Analysing Data

3. Probability

1. The Collection of Data

The collection of data involves gathering information systematically to analyse patterns, trends, and relationships. This topic covers different data types, sampling methods, and ways to ensure reliability and accuracy in statistical investigations.

Collection of data topics include:

• Statistical Enquiry Cycle

• Hypotheses & Constraints

• Types of Data

• Multivariate Data (Higher Only)

• Population & Sample Types

• Stratified Sampling 

  • Multi-Category Stratification is Higher Only

• Collecting Data 

  • Level of Control & Random Response Technique is Higher Only

• Questionnaires & Interviews

• Cleaning Data

• Extraneous Variables

  • Control Groups & Matching Pairs is Higher Only

2. Processing, Representing & Analysing Data

Processing and analysing data involves organising, displaying, and interpreting information to draw conclusions. This includes using charts, graphs, statistical measures, and correlation to compare and understand datasets.

Tabulation, diagrams & representation topics include:

• Bar Charts, Line Graphs & Pictograms

• Pie Charts

  • Comparative Pie Charts is Higher Only

• Stem & Leaf Diagrams

• Two-way Tables & Venn Diagrams

• Population Pyramids

• Choropleth Maps

• Cumulative Frequency Charts

• Box Plots

• Frequency Polygons

• Histograms

  • Frequency Density is Higher Only

Measures of central tendency topics include:

• Mode, Median & Arithmetic Mean

• Mode & Mean from Grouped Data

• Linear Interpolation

• Transforming Data

• Weighted Mean (Higher Only)

• Geometric Mean (Higher Only)

Measures of dispersion topics include:

• Quartiles & Percentiles

• Range & Interquartile Range (IQR)

• Interpercentile Range & Interdecile Range (Higher Only)

• Standard Deviation (Higher Only)

• Outliers

  • Calculating Outlier Boundaries is Higher Only

• Choosing & Comparing Measures of Central Tendency

• Comparing Data Sets

• Standardising Data (Higher Only)

• Skewness

  • Calculating Skewness is Higher Only

Index numbers and rates of change topics include:

• Index Numbers

• Weighted Index Numbers (Higher Only)

• Chain Base Index Numbers (Higher Only)

• Crude Rates of Change

• Standardised Rates of Change (Higher Only)

Scatter diagrams and correlation topics include:

• Scatter Diagrams & Correlation

• Lines of Best Fit

• Regression Lines (Higher Only)

• Spearman’s Rank

  • Calculating Spearman’s Rank is Higher Only

• Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PMCC) (Higher Only)

Time series topics include:

• Time Series Graphs

• Moving Averages

• Trend Lines

• Mean Seasonal Variation (Higher Only)

Quality assurance and estimation topics include:

• Distribution of Sample Means  (Higher Only)

• Control Charts (Higher Only)

• Estimating Population Characteristics

• Petersen Capture Recapture Formula (Higher Only)

3. Probability

Probability explores the likelihood of events occurring and helps to make predictions based on data. It covers key concepts like probability laws, independent and conditional events, and the  binomial and normal distributions.

Probability topics include:

• Probability Scale

• Expected Frequency

• Estimating Probabilities from Data

• Relative & Absolute Risks

• Identifying Possible Bias

• Addition Law & Mutually Exclusive Events

  • General Addition Law is Higher Only

• Independent Events

• Conditional Probability

• Sample Space Diagrams

• Two-way Tables for Probability

• Venn Diagrams for Probability

• Tree Diagrams

Probability distributions topics include:

• Characteristics of the Binomial Distribution (Higher Only)

• Calculating Binomial Probabilities (Higher Only)

• Characteristics of the Normal Distribution (Higher Only)

AQA GCSE Statistics Topics

The topics in the AQA GCSE Statistics specification are exactly the same as those above for Edexcel GCSE Statistics. This means the above topic list can be also used for AQA students.

The only notable difference is that Edexcel expects students to calculate standardised rates of change, whereas AQA only expects an understanding and interpretation of standardised rates of change. This change only affects the Higher tier, as standardised rates of change is a Higher-only topic.

What is Covered in GCSE Statistics Papers?

The structure of the GCSE Statistics exams for Edexcel and AQA are very similar, and their key points are summarised below.

Edexcel GCSE Statistics Exam Paper Structure

• 2 papers, each 1h 30m

• 80 marks per paper

• Each paper worth 50%

• Calculator allowed in both papers

• Any topic can appear in any paper

• Does not generally contain any multiple-choice questions

AQA GCSE Statistics Exam Paper Structure

• 2 papers, each 1h 45m

• 80 marks per paper

• Each paper worth 50%

• Calculator allowed in both papers

• Any topic can appear in any paper

• Contains some multiple-choice questions

Revision Resources for GCSE Statistics

We’ve carefully combed through each specification to make sure that our Revision Notes, Exam Questions and Past Papers are all perfectly aligned with your particular board’s specification and style. Check out the links below.

Edexcel GCSE Statistics Higher

• Exam Questions

• Revision Notes

• Past Papers

Edexcel GCSE Statistics Foundation

• Revision Notes

• Past Papers

AQA GCSE Statistics Higher & Foundation

• Past Papers

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• Detailed revision notes

• Exam-style questions with student friendly worked solutions

• Past papers with mark schemes

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Explore Our GCSE Statistics Resources

References

Edexcel GCSE Statistics Specification
AQA GCSE Statistics Specification