What is in National 5 Maths: the course content

National 5 Maths is examined by two papers, both compulsory: Paper 1 without a calculator (40 marks) and Paper 2 with one (50 marks). The skills are numerical, algebraic, geometric, trigonometric, statistical and reasoning skills, which this course teaches in eight sections.

Weeks before your first paper

Hours a week for maths

Topic 1: Numbers

Topic 2: Expressions and algebraic fractions

Topic 3: Straight lines and equations

Topic 4: Quadratics

Topic 5: Shape, measure and circles

Topic 6: Vectors and 3D coordinates

Topic 7: Trigonometry

Topic 8: Statistics

26 weeks, 104 hours in all

Start with Topic 1

Numbers: 12 of your hours. It is 3 of the 40 questions on our timed checks, 13%.

Hours per topic
Topic	Your hours	Share of the checks
Topic 1: Numbers	12	13%
Topic 2: Expressions and algebraic fractions	12	13%
Topic 3: Straight lines and equations	12	13%
Topic 4: Quadratics	12	13%
Topic 5: Shape, measure and circles	12	13%
Topic 6: Vectors and 3D coordinates	12	13%
Topic 7: Trigonometry	12	13%
Topic 8: Statistics	12	13%

Week by week

Week 1Section 1: Numbers
Week 2Section 1: Numbers
Week 3Section 1: Numbers
Week 4Section 2: Expressions and algebraic fractions
Week 5Section 2: Expressions and algebraic fractions
Week 6Section 2: Expressions and algebraic fractions
Week 7Section 3: Straight lines and equations
Week 8Section 3: Straight lines and equations
Week 9Section 3: Straight lines and equations
Week 10Section 4: Quadratics
Week 11Section 4: Quadratics
Week 12Section 4: Quadratics
Week 13Section 5: Shape, measure and circles
Week 14Section 5: Shape, measure and circles
Week 15Section 5: Shape, measure and circles
Week 16Section 6: Vectors and 3D coordinates
Week 17Section 6: Vectors and 3D coordinates
Week 18Section 6: Vectors and 3D coordinates
Week 19Section 7: Trigonometry
Week 20Section 7: Trigonometry
Week 21Section 7: Trigonometry
Week 22Section 8: Statistics
Week 23Section 8: Statistics
Week 24Section 8: Statistics
Week 25A timed check and two paper-style questions, then review every lost mark
Week 26A timed check and two paper-style questions, then review every lost mark

Check your topics with the free test

Paper 1	Non-calculator, 1 hour, 40 marks
Paper 2	Calculator, 1 hour 30 minutes, 50 marks
Total	90 marks, graded A to D
Exam day 2027	Monday 17 May

The eight sections of this course

1 Numbers: surds, indices and scientific notation, significant figures, reverse percentages, appreciation and depreciation, fractions.
2 Expressions and algebraic fractions: expanding, factorising, completing the square, simplifying and combining algebraic fractions.
3 Straight lines and equations: gradient, y - b = m(x - a), function notation, equations and inequations, simultaneous equations, changing the subject.

Reasoning runs through every paper

Besides the methods, questions ask you to choose a strategy and to explain what an answer means in its context, such as which data set is more consistent and why.

Try 2 questions

Question 1Paper 1 style · no calculator

Express

\sqrt{72}

as a surd in its simplest form.

Question 2Paper 2 style · calculator

Solve

3x^2 - 4x - 2

= 0

, giving your answers to

2

decimal places.

Next step

Take the free test Take the course tour

Questions people ask

Is there coursework in National 5 Maths?

No. The grade comes from the two question papers: 40 marks without a calculator and 50 marks with one, 90 marks in all.

Which grades are awarded?

The course is graded A to D on the total mark of both papers.

Does this course cover Applications of Mathematics?

No. It is built for National 5 Mathematics only. Students moving on can continue with our Higher Maths course.