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%.
Non-calculatorGCSE Foundation
GCSE Foundation sample Paper 1 (non-calculator)
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- 1.Work out an estimate for 312 × 19, by rounding each number to 1 significant figure.
- 2.Solve 4(x − 3) = 2x + 6.
- 3.Isla says that the ratio 4:6 is equivalent to the ratio 6:9. Is she correct? Give a reason for your answer.
- 4.Work out the distance between the point (0, 0) and the point (5, 12).
- 5.A survey of 60 readers records: 21 read only fiction, 17 read only non-fiction, 14 read both, and the rest read neither. Work out the probability that a randomly chosen reader reads exactly one of the two types, giving your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.
- 6.The masses of eight school bags, in kilograms, are 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11. Work out the median mass.
- 7.Work out the value of √(16 + 9)
- 8.The formula for the area of a trapezium is A = (a + b)h / 2, where a and b are the parallel side lengths and h is the height. Make h the subject of the formula.
- 9.A mortar mix is made from sand and cement in the ratio 5 : 3. Write the ratio of sand to the total mix in its simplest form.
- 10.Work out the length of the straight line segment joining the points (2, −4) and (−3, −4).
- 11.One card is taken at random from an ordinary pack of 52 playing cards. 26 of the cards are red. Work out the probability that the card is red. Give your answer as a percentage.
- 12.A grain of fine sand has a mass of 0.001 grams. Write this mass in standard form.
- 13.A straight line passes through the points (2, 7) and (5, 16). Work out the value of y when x = 0.
- 14.Write 3/4 as a percentage.
- 15.A bottle holds 2 litres of water. A glass holds 250 ml. Work out how many of these glasses can be filled from one full bottle.
- 16.Work out 100 − 4 × 5²
- 17.Which of these is an expression?
- 18.The number of calories burned, E, by a runner is plotted against the time, m minutes, on a straight-line graph. The line passes through the origin and the point (10, 80). Work out the gradient of the line.
- 19.Work out √144 − 2 × 3 + √25
- 20.A recipe for pancakes uses 240 g of flour to make pancakes for 6 people. Work out how many grams of flour are needed to make pancakes for 15 people, using the same recipe.
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.