DfE statement N14 · Number
Estimation and checking
Estimation and checking is content statement N14 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the number 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: "Estimate answers; check calculations using approximation and estimation, including answers obtained using technology." (statement N14). 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
- Rounding each number to 1 significant figure and then presenting the result as an exact answer rather than as an estimate.
- Rounding only some of the numbers in the calculation, which defeats the point of estimating.
- Assuming any rounding makes the estimate larger. Rounding the divisor up makes the estimate smaller — say which way your estimate errs if the question asks.
Sample questions (10 of 30)
Nearby statements
Questions people ask
Is estimation and checking on Foundation or Higher?
Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.
Can I use a calculator for estimation and checking?
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?
Rounding each number to 1 significant figure and then presenting the result as an exact answer rather than as an estimate.
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 Number at Foundation or at Higher.