DfE statement S1 · Statistics

Sampling and inference about populations

Both tiersEither paper

Sampling and inference about populations is content statement S1 of the DfE GCSE mathematics subject content, in the statistics 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: "Infer properties of populations or distributions from a sample, whilst knowing the limitations of sampling." (statement S1). Every awarding organisation — Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR — must cover it, so the wording is the same whichever specification your school follows.
— Department for Education, Mathematics: GCSE subject content and assessment objectives, statement S1

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

Drawing a conclusion about a whole population from a sample that was not taken fairly — asking shoppers outside one shop about shopping habits, for instance.
Assuming a large sample must be representative. Size does not fix bias.
Not mentioning any limitation when the question explicitly asks about the reliability of the sample.

Sample questions (10 of 22)

S1 · Sampling and inference about populationsQuestion 1 of 10 · 0 correct

Practice mode· no pressure · hints available

Statistics

Beginner

Isla wants to find out the favourite television programme of the pupils at her school. She asks only her own close group of friends. Write down what is wrong with her sample.

💡 Hints:

Foundation worksheet Higher worksheet Foundation statistics practice Higher statistics practice

Nearby statements

S2Tables, charts and diagrams for data S3Histograms and cumulative frequency graphsHigher only

Questions people ask

Is sampling and inference about populations on Foundation or Higher?

Both. It is Foundation content, so it can be asked on either tier.

Can I use a calculator for sampling and inference about populations?

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?

Drawing a conclusion about a whole population from a sample that was not taken fairly — asking shoppers outside one shop about shopping habits, for instance.

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.