DfE statement G12 · Geometry and measures
Properties of 3D shapes
Properties of 3D shapes is content statement G12 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the geometry area. It is on both tiers, and it is examined without a calculator. Below is what the specification actually requires, the 3 mistakes that cost marks on this topic most often, and practice questions written to the statement — original questions, not past papers.
What the specification says
The DfE subject content for GCSE mathematics states, verbatim: "Identify properties of the faces, surfaces, edges and vertices of: cubes, cuboids, prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones and spheres." (statement G12). Every awarding organisation — Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR — must cover it, so the wording is the same whichever specification your school follows.
Tier
Both tiers. This statement is Foundation content, which means Higher students are examined on it too — Higher is Foundation plus more, never instead of it.
Calculator
This is non-calculator territory. Questions on it belong naturally on Paper 1, where written method is all you have — so practise it that way rather than with a calculator to hand.
Common mistakes
- Miscounting the hidden edges and vertices of a solid drawn in two dimensions.
- Giving a cylinder flat faces it does not have, or calling its curved surface a face.
- Describing a cone as having two faces and two edges. It has one flat circular face, one curved surface, one edge and one apex.
Sample questions (10 of 30)
Nearby statements
Questions people ask
Is properties of 3D shapes on Foundation or Higher?
Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.
Can I use a calculator for properties of 3D shapes?
Not on Paper 1, which is where this normally appears. Paper 1 is non-calculator for both tiers and carries the same 80 marks as each of the other two papers.
What is the single most common mistake here?
Miscounting the hidden edges and vertices of a solid drawn in two dimensions.
Are these past paper questions?
No. Every question is original, written to this DfE content statement and checked before publication. We do not host past papers or mark schemes.
Back to Geometry and measures at Foundation or at Higher.