DfE statement S3 · Statistics
Histograms and cumulative frequency graphs
Histograms and cumulative frequency graphs is content statement S3 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the statistics area. It is Higher tier only, and it is normally a calculator-paper question. 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: "Construct and interpret diagrams for grouped discrete data and continuous data, i.e. histograms with equal and unequal class intervals and cumulative frequency graphs, and know their appropriate use." (statement S3). Every awarding organisation — Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR — must cover it, so the wording is the same whichever specification your school follows.
Tier
Higher tier only. A Foundation entry is never asked for this, so if you are sitting Foundation you can leave it out of your revision entirely.
Calculator
This is calculator work, which places it on Papers 2 and 3. Know your own calculator before the exam, keep full accuracy through the working and round only at the end.
Common mistakes
- Plotting frequency on a histogram instead of frequency density. With unequal class widths this is simply a bar chart, and it is wrong.
- Plotting a cumulative frequency point at the midpoint of the class rather than at its upper boundary.
- Reading the median from a cumulative frequency graph at half the highest frequency rather than at half the total frequency — they are the same only by coincidence.
Sample questions (10 of 30)
Nearby statements
Questions people ask
Is histograms and cumulative frequency graphs on Foundation or Higher?
Higher only. Foundation papers do not ask for it.
Can I use a calculator for histograms and cumulative frequency graphs?
Yes, on Papers 2 and 3, which are the calculator papers and where questions on this usually sit. Paper 1 is non-calculator.
What is the single most common mistake here?
Plotting frequency on a histogram instead of frequency density. With unequal class widths this is simply a bar chart, and it is wrong.
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 Statistics at Foundation or at Higher.