Sample paper · GCSE Foundation · grades 1–5
GCSE Foundation sample Paper 1 (non-calculator)
The real Paper 1 is 1.5 hour 30 minutes and 80 marks, non-calculator, and all three papers carry equal weight. This sample is 20 original questions in the same content proportions as the Foundation qualification — number 25%, algebra 20%, ratio, proportion and rates of change 25%, geometry and measures 15%, probability 7.5%, statistics 7.5% — with no calculator-only items. AO1 / AO2 / AO3 at this tier: 50% / 25% / 25%.
GCSE Foundation sample Paper 1 (non-calculator)
- 1.A length, L cm, has the error interval 24.5 ≤ L < 25.5. Write down the degree of accuracy to which the length was measured.
- 2.Solve 4x − (2x − 6) = 18
- 3.A watering can holds 4500 cm³ of water. Given that 1 litre = 1000 cm³, work out the capacity of the watering can in litres.
- 4.A shape is translated by the vector . The point P(6, 1) lies on the shape. Write down the coordinates of the image of P.
- 5.A spinner is divided into 8 equal sections. 3 of the sections are red and the rest are not red. The spinner is spun once. Work out the probability that it does not land on red.
- 6.The rainfall, in millimetres, was recorded in Cambridge on six days: 12, 5, 9, 15, 3 and 11. Work out the range of the rainfall.
- 7.Write these numbers in order, starting with the largest: 7/8, 0.8, 78%, 17/20
- 8.A graph shows the total monthly cost of a mobile phone tariff against the number of minutes of calls. The line starts at £12 and stays level until 200 minutes, then rises by 5p for each further minute of calls. Use the graph to work out the total cost of a month in which 250 minutes of calls are made.
- 9.To make a shade of green paint, the amount of yellow paint used is always 0.75 times the amount of blue paint used. Write the amount of blue paint as a fraction of the amount of yellow paint, in its simplest form.
- 10.The midpoint of the line segment AB is (3, 5). A is the point (1, 3). Work out the coordinates of B.
- 11.A garage tested 200 cars in one week. 70% of the cars were more than 3 years old and the rest were 3 years old or less. Of the cars more than 3 years old, 1 in 4 failed the test. 12 of the cars that were 3 years old or less failed the test. Work out how many of the 200 cars failed the test altogether.
- 12.On a number line, point A is at −1. Point B is 4 units from point A. Write down the two possible positions of point B.
- 13.Solve 5x² − 15x = 0.
- 14.Two quantities x and y are in the ratio x : y = 2 : 5, and y = kx for a constant k. Work out the value of k.
- 15.The angle between north and a cycle path is 40°, but it is measured anticlockwise from north. What is the three-figure bearing of the cycle path?
- 16.Round 0.006482 to 2 significant figures.
- 17.Write down the expression that means the same as 'subtract 5 from n, then divide the result by 2'.
- 18.Isla and her brother share £60 in the ratio 1:2. Work out Isla's share.
- 19.Work out 15% of £40, using 10% and 5%.
- 20.Work out how many seconds there are in 3 minutes and 20 seconds.
How the 20 questions are shared out
- Number — 5 questions (25% of the qualification)
- Algebra — 4 questions (20% of the qualification)
- Ratio, proportion and rates of change — 5 questions (25% of the qualification)
- Geometry and measures — 3 questions (15% of the qualification)
- Probability — 2 questions (7.5% of the qualification)
- Statistics — 1 question (7.5% of the qualification)
Where an area has fewer printable questions than its share, the shortfall is filled from the other areas. These are original questions, not past papers.