GCSE Mathematics Mock Assessment Pilot – Frequently Asked Questions

The pilot will generate supplementary research evidence from GCSE Mathematics mock assessment outcomes. The pilot is for research purposes only.

No. This is a mock assessment for research purposes. It will not contribute to students’ final GCSE Mathematics grades in line with other mock papers. 

No. Participation is voluntary. Centres invited to take part can decide whether the pilot is suitable for their students and operational arrangements. 

The opportunity is being offered to a selected group of UK centres delivering GCSE Mathematics. Invitations should be forwarded to the Head of Mathematics or the colleague responsible for GCSE Mathematics delivery. 

Pearson is seeking a suitable range of centres and students to support a representative research sample. 

No. Submitting the form registers your centre’s interest but does not guarantee participation. Places are limited and will be confirmed separately by the GCSE Maths Mock Pilot team.

Places are expected to be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to available capacity, the required research sample and completion of the registration process. 

Please do not share the invitation outside your organisation. Participation opportunities are limited and invitations have been issued to selected centres. 

No. Participation in the pilot is free of charge. 

Participating centres will receive: 

• A free GCSE Mathematics mock assessment 
• Assessment papers delivered ahead of the assessment window 
• Full marking of completed scripts by Pearson 
• Student-level results 
• Results in Excel format to support local analysis, intervention planning and student support 
• Registration and administration guidance before the assessment. 

The confirmed results package currently includes student-level results in Excel format. The availability of marked scripts, script access, item-level analysis or examiner commentary is TBC. 

The pilot covers Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics. 

One Foundation Tier paper and one Higher Tier paper will be available. Centres have been selected to participate in either Higher or Foundation tier.

No. Centres have been selected for either Foundation or Higher Tier entries.  

Yes, you can enter a maximum of 30 Year 11 students. 

Please only enter students you anticipate will be entered for the selected tier in summer 2027.  

The assessment will have one 80-mark assessment containing both calculator and non-calculator sections. 

Any permitted information about the assessment content and administration will be provided to confirmed centres as part of the onboarding guidance. Centres must follow the security instructions supplied by Pearson. 

Yes. Modified paper options will be available where required, subject to confirmation of the formats and production timescales. 

Centres should indicate the required format, tier and estimated quantity when registering their interest. Confirmed centres will receive further instructions during onboarding. 

Centres should not provide unnecessary personal or medical information through the expression-of-interest form. Pearson will explain what information is required at the appropriate stage. 

The arrangements that can be supported during the pilot are TBC. Confirmed centres will receive guidance before the assessment window. 

Complete the pilot project expression-of-interest form by 14th October 2026 via the link provided in your invitation email.

The form should be completed by someone authorised to provide information on behalf of the centre. We recommend involving both the GCSE Mathematics teaching lead and the Exams Officer. 

The GCSE Maths Mock Pilot team will review expressions of interest and contact centres to confirm whether they have been selected. Confirmed centres will then receive onboarding instructions and guidance on completing registration through the Pearson Mocks Service. 

Yes. Centres selected for the pilot will need to complete the standard Pearson Mocks Service registration process. Expression of interest alone does not complete the entry. 
If your centre is accepted onto the pilot, a link to make the pilot Mathematics mock assessment booking will be provided to you.

Final entries through the Pearson Mocks Service are currently expected to be completed by Sunday 22 November 2026. This date should be treated as subject to final confirmation until centres receive formal onboarding instructions. 

If a centre needs to remove one or more students after completing mock entries through the Pearson Mocks Service, they should contact the Pearson GCSE Maths Mock Pilot team as soon as possible. The process for amending or withdrawing individual student entries after submission is TBC and will be confirmed in the onboarding guidance. Centres should not assume that changes can be made automatically after the entry deadline, particularly where assessment materials, modified papers, dispatch arrangements or marking capacity may be affected.

The planned assessment window is 25 January to 12 February 2027, subject to confirmation. 

Centres will be asked to propose a suitable weekday within the assessment window. Pearson may request an alternative date if required for operational, security or research-sampling reasons. 

Yes. Students should sit the assessment at the same time wherever possible. Any proposed deviation from this must be raised with the Pearson GCSE Maths Mock Pilot team in the form via the link provided to you in the invitation email, so that any security or administration requirements can be reviewed and confirmed.

Assessment papers are expected to arrive approximately 5–10 days before the centre’s agreed mock assessment date, subject to final dispatch arrangements. 

Confirmed centres will be given a contact route and instructions for reporting missing, delayed or damaged materials. Centres should contact the GCSE Maths Mock Pilot team promptly and must not use alternative materials unless instructed to do so. 

Assessment materials must be stored securely and only accessed in accordance with the administration guidance provided by Pearson. 

Yes. Confirmed centres will receive guidance covering registration, assessment administration, security, delivery, script return and key deadlines. 

Centres will need to package and return completed scripts to Pearson in accordance with the instructions provided. 

Scripts must be returned as soon as possible after the assessment. The specific return requirement needed to support the marking turnaround and planned results date is TBC. 

The script-return method and any associated arrangements are TBC and will be explained in the onboarding guidance. 

Completed scripts will be marked by Pearson. 

Late return may affect Pearson’s ability to provide results by the planned date. Centres should contact the pilot project team immediately if they anticipate a delay. 

Results are expected to be returned to centres by 10 March 2027, subject to timely receipt of completed scripts and confirmation of the final marking schedule. 

Centres will receive student-level results in Excel format to support local analysis, intervention planning and student support. 

The precise result fields and reporting format are TBC. The outcomes are for mock assessment and research purposes and will not contribute to students’ final GCSE grades. 

Yes. The student-level results are intended to provide useful information that centres can use alongside their own evidence to inform teaching, learning and student support. 

Information submitted through the expression-of-interest and onboarding processes will be used to assess participation, plan delivery, communicate with participating centres and support administration of the pilot. A privacy statement will be provided with the registration form.

Student results will support the research objectives of the pilot. The precise arrangements for analysis, anonymisation, retention and sharing of results, including any sharing with Ofqual, are TBC and should be confirmed in the final privacy notice. 

The final privacy and research information should explain how data will be protected and reported. Pearson will not publish student-identifiable information unless there is an appropriate lawful basis and centres have been informed. 

Any consent, notification or privacy requirements that apply to participating centres will be confirmed in the onboarding guidance and privacy notice. 

Centres should avoid sharing the invitation or secure assessment materials outside their organisation. Confirmed centres must follow all confidentiality and assessment-security instructions supplied by Pearson. 

The onboarding approach is being finalised. Confirmed centres will receive written guidance and details of any briefing session, webinar or support materials. 

Please raise any questions through the form linked in your invitation email in the first instance. The Pearson GCSE Maths Mock Pilot team will review submitted queries and contact centres where follow-up is needed.
Please also check this FAQ before submitting your question, as it will be updated as further arrangements are confirmed.

Contact the GCSE Maths Mock Pilot team as soon as possible if candidate numbers, assessment dates, delivery details, modified paper requirements or your centre’s ability to participate change. 

Please contact the team at GCSEMathsMockPilot@Pearson.com