This paper describes an exploratory investigation of the use of an adaptation of Bloom's taxonomy to classify and compare mathematics questions and papers on the basis of the questions alone. It starts with some background comments on the secondary level public examination system in England and Wales. A critical review of classification schemes for mathematics questions, including a detailed discussion of Bloom's taxonomy, is then given, and this is followed by examples of how a suggested version of Bloom's taxonomy might be used in analysing General Certificate of Education Ordinary level Mathematics papers. Some recommendations for further research are contained in the conclusions section.