A STAGGERING 5.3 million UK adults still have nightmares about their GCSE maths exams, highlighting the enduring pressure and challenges of these exams. In the lead up to International Puzzle Day (January 29), Tutors Valley has uncovered one of the most challenging GCSE exam questions ever set (from a 2022 Edexcel paper), inviting readers to put their problem-solving skills to the test.

The question has been doing the rounds on Reddit, where it has sparked debate among users. Many admitted they were completely thrown by it, including those who thought GCSE maths was firmly behind them.

Difficult GCSE maths question doing the rounds on Reddit
The diagram shows three circles, each of radius 4cm. The centres of the circles are A, B and C such that ABC is a straight line and AB = BC = 4cm. Work out the total area of the two shaded regions. Give you answer in terms of π (Image: cokezeroisbetterthan)

What initially appears to be an easy question quickly turns into a brain teaser, with confident answers being wrong and commenters racing to pinpoint where they went wrong.

Hint: the solution involves spotting invisible equilateral triangles and 60º circle sectors. It is explained here.

As conversations around exam difficulty and critical thinking continue to grow online, the question serves as a timely reminder of the level of reasoning expected of today’s students, and just how demanding GCSE exams can be.

That pressure is reflected in how students feel going into exams. In 2024 a SaveMyExams survey of UK students found that 85 per cent experience exam anxiety, with one in four describing it as nearly unbearable during exams. This highlights the importance of being as prepared as possible during exam season, whether that means spending extra time revising, seeking support from a tutor in challenging subjects, or finding effective ways to manage anxiety.

Lindsey Wright, Head of Maths Education at Tutors Valley, shares her advice on how parents can help reduce exam stress at home:

“There is no doubt that exams in the UK are designed to challenge students, but there are practical steps parents can take to ensure their child feels as prepared and confident as possible.

“Understanding how your child learns is crucial. In a classroom of 30, it is easy for students to fall behind or lose confidence, whereas one-to-one tutoring provides a safe space to make mistakes, ask questions and identify problem areas.

“This support is especially important when research shows that 71 per cent of students do not seek any support at all to manage their stress.”

For more information on how to help your child through exams, visit Tutors Valley.