DfE statement P1 · Probability
Frequency of outcomes, tables and frequency trees
Frequency of outcomes, tables and frequency trees is content statement P1 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the probability area. It is on both tiers, and it appears on both the calculator and the non-calculator papers. 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: "Record, describe and analyse the frequency of outcomes of probability experiments using tables and frequency trees." (statement P1). 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 turns up on both the non-calculator and the calculator papers, so practise it both ways — the written method for Paper 1 and the efficient calculator route for Papers 2 and 3.
Common mistakes
- Filling in a frequency tree whose branches do not add back to the total at each stage.
- Starting from the wrong given, so the first split uses a number that belongs further down the tree.
- Giving a frequency where the question asks for a probability, or the reverse.
Sample questions (10 of 30)
Nearby statements
Questions people ask
Is frequency of outcomes, tables and frequency trees on Foundation or Higher?
Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.
Can I use a calculator for frequency of outcomes, tables and frequency trees?
It depends on the paper. Paper 1 is non-calculator; Papers 2 and 3 allow one, and this topic is asked on both kinds.
What is the single most common mistake here?
Filling in a frequency tree whose branches do not add back to the total at each stage.
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 Probability at Foundation or at Higher.