Consultation outcome

Decisions: Proposed changes to the assessment of mathematics, physics and combined science GCSEs

Updated 5 May 2026

Summary of decisions

Ofqual has decided to implement the proposals set out in the consultation document. This means that, given the decision taken by Department for Education (DfE) to change its subject content expectations, Ofqual will continue to require exam boards to provide students with formulae and equations sheets for GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science exams for the remaining lifetime of the current specifications. The longer-term subject content expectations will be confirmed by DfE when new qualifications are developed.

This decision relates to GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science exams being taken from 2028 onwards for the lifetime of the current qualifications, including any resit opportunities.

As a result, Ofqual’s updated conditions will require exam boards to:

• publish the formulae and equations sheets for exams by 1 September the year before each exam series,
• provide clean copies of the formulae and equations sheets with their exam papers,
• not set questions that can be answered solely by transferring information from the formulae or equations sheets.

Ofqual expects the formulae and equation sheets used to be used in exams remain consistent with those in previous years and between specifications.

Background

In November 2025, the Curriculum and Assessment Review published its final report, recommending that government evaluate whether students should be required to memorise and recall each formula and equation in these subjects, as well as being able to apply them. As set out in its letter to Ofqual, DfE confirmed in the government response to the review that it is now considering this as it reviews and develops revised subject content for reformed GCSEs in these subjects. It is intended that new qualifications in these subjects will be first taught in 2029 and 2030.

On 26 February 2026, DfE notified Ofqual of its decision to change its subject content expectations for the lifetime of current GCSE specifications, in GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science. This decision is a continuation of changes made to subject content expectations that have been in effect since 2022.

The arrangements consulted on were proposed to apply to GCSE exams taken by students in these subjects up to and including 2030 or 2031, and the final resit series after that. The expectations for new GCSEs and the precise year of their introduction will be confirmed by DfE when the new subject content requirements are confirmed.

Given DfE’s responsibility for the subject content and Ofqual’s responsibility for how that content is assessed, DfE asked Ofqual to put in place appropriate assessment arrangements for students taking GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science exams for the duration of the current specifications.

To implement DfE’s policy decision in 2022 and in subsequent years, Ofqual amended its rules to require exam boards to provide a formulae sheet for GCSE mathematics exams and a revised equations sheet in the exams for GCSE physics and combined science exams. It also required exam boards to make copies of the formulae and equations sheets available for use in teaching.

Ofqual consulted on proposals to:

• continue the requirement for exam boards to provide students with support materials that set out the relevant formulae and equations for exams from 2028 onwards for the lifetime of the current specifications
• require that exam boards do not set questions that can be answered solely by transferring information from the formulae or equations sheets.

The consultation was open from Monday 2 March to Monday 23 March 2026 and received 2,182 responses. A full summary and analysis of the responses has been published at the same time as this decision document.

Details

Ofqual proposed that students should be provided with formulae sheets and equations sheets in the GCSE mathematics, physics and combined science exams for the lifetime of the current specifications. There were 2,182 responses to the consultation overall.

There were 2,182 responses to the proposal that a formulae sheet should be provided in the exams for GCSE mathematics for the lifetime of the current specification. The majority of respondents, 91.7%, supported the proposal, while 2.4% did not. The remaining 5.9% neither agreed nor disagreed or did not respond to this proposal.

There were 2,182 responses to the proposal that an equations sheet should be provided in the exams for GCSE physics and combined science for the lifetime of the current specifications. The vast majority of respondents, 93%, supported the proposal.

Ofqual notes there was overwhelming support for the proposals. The proposals align with what government, which is responsible for subject content in GCSEs, expects students to cover in these qualifications. No issues were raised by respondents, including in the equalities and regulatory impact assessments as set out below, that Ofqual judged would make it necessary to reconsider the proposals.

Ofqual has therefore decided to implement the proposals set out in the consultation document. Ofqual will change its Conditions to require exam boards to:

• publish the formulae and equations sheets for exams by 1 September the year before, so that students may become familiar with them before the exams (for example, publish the formulae and equations sheets for the exams in 2028 by 1 September 2027, and so on)
• provide clean copies with their exam papers for the lifetime of the current specifications
• not to set questions that can be answered solely by transferring information from the formulae or equations sheets.

The support materials will set out the formulae and equations that students are expected to be able to use and apply but are not required to memorise, given the changes made to DfE’s subject content expectations, and will be consistent with the design of the sheets provided since 2022.

Some responses to the consultation suggested changes to the formulae and equations sheets, for example producing separate sheets for foundation and higher papers or including formulae and equations in the question paper or as part of the question. Ofqual requires that the sheets be kept unchanged to maintain continuity between exam series and across exam boards. This approach mirrors decisions taken since the sheets were first introduced in 2022, when exam boards worked together to produce support materials that would be consistent with DfE’s expectations. Maintaining the same content and presentation supports continuity and fairness for all students, regardless of the year in which they take their exams or the exam board they are assessed by. As such, before the exam boards republish the sheets each year, students and teachers may access exam boards’ sheets from previous years.

In response to feedback exam boards may consider whether it is possible to make presentational-only changes that would be consistent for all specifications. Exam boards will be required to ensure that the formulae and equation sheets for use in exams each year are made available publicly no later than 1 September of the previous year.

Equality impact assessment

Ofqual considered the potential impact of the proposals on students with particular protected characteristics. The consultation explained that Ofqual did not consider the proposals would have a negative impact on students who share particular protected characteristics.

Respondents who raised issues tended to focus on students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), partially the risk of working memory issues and the cognitive overload students could experience without formulae and equation sheets.  Some respondents suggested changes to improve accessibility, such as to fonts or layout. Other suggestions included releasing modified versions of formulae and equation sheets before the exam to allow familiarisation before exams take place.

Ofqual expects the formulae and equation sheets used for exams to remain consistent with those provided in previous years and between specifications. However, as with other assessment materials, exam boards may provide modifications to assessment materials as part of reasonable adjustments where required.

Some respondents suggested the formulae and equations be included in the question paper or as part of the question as this would benefit all students and could address the issue of cognitive overload. Decisions about how questions are set, including whether to include an equation in a question stem, sit with exam boards, which Ofqual require to provide appropriate assessment materials.

Ofqual did not identify any issues that would make it necessary to change the proposals.

Regulatory impact assessment

In the consultation, Ofqual identified that schools and colleges would likely have limited or no burden from these proposals. It noted the changes are intended to reduce burden to enable more time for teaching. The consultation acknowledged exam boards would incur costs, while noting they are familiar with the arrangements having produced formulae and revised equation sheets for exams since 2022.

The consultation sought views on the initial regulatory impact assessment. It asked about any other potential costs or burdens that had not been identified, and what steps could be taken to reduce them.

There were no new issues identifies in the consultation, with the main concerns raised being the cost and administrative burden for schools of and the time needed for teachers to familiarise students with the formulae and equations sheets. These concerns may be mitigated by Ofqual’s expectation that formulae and equation sheets used for exams remain consistent with those provided in previous years and between specifications.

While acknowledging the feedback and concerns raised by respondents to the consultation, Ofqual believes these are outweighed by the strong support for the proposals and, the need for assessments to reflect the revised subject content expectations. As such, Ofqual has not identified any such issues that made it necessary to change the proposals.