National 5 Maths
National 5 Maths is assessed by two exam papers worth 90 marks, both sat on Monday 17 May 2027. There is no coursework, so the whole grade comes from the exam.
- Paper 1 Non-calculator09:00 to 10:00
- Paper 210:30 to 12:00
What grade is my mark?
Type a total mark to see the grade it would have got.
How the A and C boundaries have moved
Boundaries as a share of the total marks. A lower line means the papers were judged harder that year. Qualifications Scotland publishes boundaries from 2022 in this format.
| Year | Out of | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 90 | 65 | 55 | 46 | 36 |
| 2025 | 90 | 64 | 55 | 47 | 38 |
| 2024 | 90 | 64 | 54 | 45 | 35 |
| 2023 | 90 | 62 | 49 | 36 | 23 |
| 2022 | 90 | 62 | 50 | 39 | 27 |
How the exam works
National 5 Maths has two question papers and nothing else. Paper 1 bans calculators, lasts 1 hour and carries 40 marks. Paper 2 allows a calculator, lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and carries 50 marks.
In 2027 both papers are on Monday 17 May. Paper 1 runs 9:00 to 10:00 and Paper 2 runs 10:30 to 12:00.
Both papers mix short questions with longer multi-step ones. The course specification says about 65% of marks are aimed at grade C. The rest separate A and B candidates.
Topic weightings
Algebra carries the most weight, at roughly 30 to 45% of marks. Geometry takes 15 to 35%. Trigonometry and numerical skills take 10 to 25% each, and statistics 5 to 15%. Reasoning runs through every topic.
A formulae list is printed in the papers. In 2025 it gave the quadratic formula, sine rule, cosine rule and area of a triangle. It also gave volumes of a sphere, cone and pyramid, plus standard deviation. Everything else must be learned, including gradient, arc length and sector area.
What examiners reward
Marks follow the working, not just the final answer. The 2025 papers told candidates to show working and give units where needed. A sound method with one slip usually keeps most of the marks.
Where candidates lost marks in 2025
The 2025 course report flagged these weak spots:
- trigonometric graphs, where many candidates scored nothing
- drawing resultant vectors and describing vector pathways
- forming and solving a quadratic equation from a worded problem
- the sine rule combined with bearings
- comparing two data sets in context using statistics
Strong areas included mixed number calculations, expanding brackets, appreciation, sector area, 3D coordinates and standard deviation.
The report also warned that arithmetic slips cost marks on Paper 1. It advised revising the whole course specification, not just recent past papers.
Using past papers
Sit Paper 1 and Paper 2 back to back with a 30-minute break, as on exam day. Mark them with the official marking instructions, which show where each mark is earned. Log every lost mark by topic, then revise the topic rather than the single question.
Check the paper code before you start. Current papers begin X847, as the 2025 papers did. Time older papers against their own printed durations.
Revision checklist
Tick topics as you revise. Ticks are saved on this device only.
- Sit one timed non-calculator paper a week from January, stopping at 1 hour.
- Learn the formulas not on the list: gradient, arc length, sector area, circle area and circumference.
- Sketch y = a sin bx + c graphs and read amplitude and period from given graphs.
- Drill factorising, completing the square and the quadratic formula until they are automatic.
- Practise drawing resultant vectors and writing vector pathways in 2D diagrams.
- Do bearings problems that need the sine or cosine rule.
- Write two-sentence comparisons of data sets using the mean and standard deviation in context.
- Practise fraction, percentage and mixed number arithmetic without a calculator.
- Mark every past paper with the marking instructions and log lost marks by topic.
- Rehearse 17 May by sitting both papers in one morning with a 30-minute break.
Quick answers
- Can I use a calculator in National 5 Maths?
Only in Paper 2. Paper 1 is non-calculator, so arithmetic with fractions, percentages and surds must be done by hand.
- How many marks is the National 5 Maths exam out of?
90 marks in total. Paper 1 has 40 marks and Paper 2 has 50 marks. There is no coursework.
- When is the National 5 Maths exam in 2027?
Monday 17 May 2027. Paper 1 runs 9:00 to 10:00 and Paper 2 runs 10:30 to 12:00.
- Is there a formula sheet in National 5 Maths?
Yes. The 2025 papers listed the quadratic formula, sine and cosine rules and area of a triangle. They also gave three volume formulas and standard deviation.