GCSE Maths: Order of Operations (BIDMAS)
Apply the correct order of operations in calculations. Practise it with adaptive questions for AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.
What you need to know
The concepts examiners test on order of operations (bidmas), and what each one is really asking.
Where marks get lost
The exam technique that separates a correct method from a correct answer.
- Working left to right without following BIDMAS (3 + 4 × 2 ≠ 14)
- Thinking multiplication always comes before division (they are equal priority)
- Forgetting to evaluate inside brackets first
- Not applying indices before multiplication
Order of Operations (BIDMAS) questions students ask
Is Order of Operations (BIDMAS) on the Foundation paper?
Yes. Order of Operations (BIDMAS) appears at both Foundation and Higher tier, though Higher papers take it further.
What should I know before starting Order of Operations (BIDMAS)?
It builds on Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and Squaring numbers. If those feel shaky, practise them first — Order of Operations (BIDMAS) questions assume them.
What is the most common mistake in Order of Operations (BIDMAS)?
Working left to right without following BIDMAS (3 + 4 × 2 ≠ 14).
Which exam boards cover Order of Operations (BIDMAS)?
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.