GCSE Maths: Constructions & Loci
Use compasses and a straight edge to build accurate constructions, and to draw the set of points satisfying a rule. Adaptive practice for AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.
What you need to know
The concepts examiners test on constructions & loci, and what each one is really asking.
Where marks get lost
The exam technique that separates a correct method from a correct answer.
- Rubbing out the construction arcs — the marks are for the arcs
- Changing the compass width partway through a construction
- Using a ruler to measure a bisector instead of constructing it
- Shading the region that satisfies one condition rather than all of them
Constructions & Loci questions students ask
Is Constructions & Loci on the Foundation paper?
Yes. Constructions & Loci appears at both Foundation and Higher tier, though Higher papers take it further.
What should I know before starting Constructions & Loci?
It builds on Properties of 2D Shapes and Angles. If those feel shaky, practise them first — Constructions & Loci questions assume them.
What is the most common mistake in Constructions & Loci?
Rubbing out the construction arcs — the marks are for the arcs.
Which exam boards cover Constructions & Loci?
All four we support — AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas. GCSE Maths subject content is set by the DfE, so the topic is common to every board; what changes is the paper structure and the grade boundaries.