Short answer: For a GCSE Maths exam you need a black ink or ball-point pen, an HB or B pencil, an eraser, a ruler marked in centimetres and millimetres, a protractor, a pair of compasses and, for calculator papers, a scientific calculator. Carry it all in a see-through pencil case. Under JCQ rules from 1 September 2026, watches and mobile phones are not allowed in the exam room. Your calculator must not store text or formulae or connect to other devices, and you should clear its memory before the exam.
The core GCSE Maths kit
The front cover of a GCSE Maths paper lists exactly what you must have. On recent Pearson Edexcel papers, the list is:
- Ruler graduated in centimetres and millimetres
- Protractor
- Pair of compasses
- Pen: black ink or ball-point
- HB or B pencil: diagrams and graphs drawn in pencil must be dark
- Eraser
- Calculator, for calculator papers only
The formulae sheet comes with the paper, and you're allowed to use tracing paper. Other exam boards' papers have similar lists, so check the front of your own board's past papers.
Printable checklist
- [ ] 2–3 black pens (ink or ball-point)
- [ ] 2 sharpened HB or B pencils, plus a sharpener
- [ ] Eraser
- [ ] 30cm or 15cm ruler with cm and mm markings
- [ ] Protractor
- [ ] Pair of compasses (check the screw is tight)
- [ ] Scientific calculator with working batteries
- [ ] See-through pencil case
- [ ] Bottle of water in a clear bottle, if your school allows it
- [ ] Candidate number
GCSE calculator rules (JCQ 2026/27)
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) sets the calculator rules for GCSE exams in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Under its Instructions for conducting examinations, during an exam a calculator must not be able to offer:
- language translation
- symbolic algebra manipulation
- symbolic differentiation or integration
- communication with other machines or the internet
It also must not give access to information stored before the exam. That includes databanks (scientific constants are the exception), dictionaries, mathematical formulae and text.
Other JCQ rules to know:
- Don't borrow a calculator from another candidate during the exam. The invigilator can give you a replacement if yours fails.
- Exam mode: some calculators, mainly graphical ones, have an exam mode. They're acceptable if exam mode is switched on and makes the calculator compliant.
- Non-calculator papers: where a calculator is only allowed for part of an exam, you may be asked to put it on the floor under your desk, where the invigilator can see it.
- You are responsible for making sure your calculator meets the rules.
JCQ's advice to candidates for 2026/27 is to:
- Make sure your calculator works and the batteries are good.
- Clear anything stored in its memory and, if it has one, make sure it's in exam mode.
- Remove any cases, lids or covers with printed instructions or formulae.
- Leave operating instructions and prepared programs at home.
A standard scientific calculator designed for GCSE meets these rules. If you're unsure about yours, ask your maths teacher or exams officer well before the exam.
What you can't take into the exam room
JCQ's Information for candidates (effective 1 September 2026) says you must not take in:
- notes
- earphones or earbuds, MP3/4 players or similar devices, smart glasses, tablets
- a mobile phone
- watches of any kind: analogue, digital or smartwatch
Any pencil case must be see-through. Having a banned item counts as breaking the rules even if you don't mean to use it, and the penalties can include disqualification.
Also avoid correction pens, correction fluid or tape, erasable pens, highlighters and gel pens in your answers. Write in black ink. Coloured pencils or inks are only for diagrams, maps and charts, unless the paper says otherwise.
Using a KAPEK Mathematics Set for GCSE
If you'd rather buy everything at once, the KAPEK Mathematics Set is one option. It's a case holding a detachable scientific calculator (with fractions) plus a full geometry set: compass, protractor, rulers and more. It's designed for GCSE, Scottish Nationals & Higher and the Irish Junior and Leaving Certificate, though not for A-Level. It costs £14.99 with free UK delivery and comes in Pink, Blue or Black.
How to use it on exam day: the KAPEK case has a built-in digital clock, and watches and clocks of your own aren't allowed in the exam room. So:
- Use the full set for lessons, homework and timed past papers at home. The clock is handy for timing practice.
- On exam day, detach the calculator and slide off the fascia.
- Put the calculator, compass, protractor and ruler into a clear pencil case.
- Leave the KAPEK case at home or in your bag outside the exam room.
Your school will always have the final say, so check with your exams officer if you're unsure. For more detail, see our FAQ or our KAPEK vs Casio fx-83GT CW comparison.
Scotland and Ireland
Scottish National 5 and Higher exams are run by SQA, and the Irish Junior and Leaving Certificate by the State Examinations Commission. Each has its own rules for calculators and equipment, so check your school's guidance. The basic kit is much the same: pens, pencil, ruler, protractor, compasses and an approved calculator.
Night-before-the-exam tips
- Test your calculator. Run a few calculations and replace the batteries if the display is faint.
- Clear the memory.
- Practise with your own kit. Use the same compass and calculator you'll take into the exam so nothing feels unfamiliar.
- Pack spares. Bring an extra pen and pencil. You can't borrow from other candidates.
- Check the timetable. JCQ asks you to arrive at least ten minutes before the start.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a compass for GCSE Maths?
Yes. GCSE Maths papers list a pair of compasses, a protractor and a cm/mm ruler as required equipment, because some questions involve constructions, loci and measuring angles.
Can I take a watch into my GCSE exam?
No. JCQ's 2026/27 Information for candidates lists watches, whether analogue, digital or smart, as unauthorised items. The exam room will normally have a clock you can see.
Does my pencil case have to be clear?
Yes. Any pencil case taken into the exam room must be see-through.
Which calculator is allowed in GCSE Maths?
Any calculator that meets JCQ rules: no translation, symbolic algebra or calculus, connectivity or stored text and formulae. Most standard scientific calculators sold for GCSE meet these rules. Ask your teacher if you're not sure about yours.
What happens if my calculator stops working in the exam?
Put your hand up. The invigilator can give you a replacement calculator, but you mustn't borrow one from another candidate.