The Department for Education has confirmed that students taking qualifications in GCSE maths, physics and combined science in 2025, 2026 and 2027 will not need to memorise formulae and equations.  Instead, exam boards will be required to provide formulae and equation sheets in the exam halls.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said that the Covid pandemic “continues to have an impact on students who missed out on vital years of education and stakeholders have raised concerns that removing the support which formulae and equation sheets have provided in recent years is premature”.

Ofqual is now consulting with exam boards on the provision of formulae and equation sheets.

Any decision to continue the formulae and equation sheets beyond 2027 will be subject to the outcomes of the DfE review of curriculum and assessment.