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

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GCSE Foundation sample Paper 1 (non-calculator)

Maths · GCSE Foundation · Paper 1 · Non-calculator · 20 questions

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1.The density of a type of plastic is 0.9 g/cm³. Work out this density in kg/m³.
(a)900 kg/m³
(b)0.0009 kg/m³
(c)0.09 kg/m³
(d)900 000 kg/m³
2.A triangle has vertices at (1, 1), (1, 5) and (6, 1). Work out the area of the triangle.
(a)20
(b)15
(c)5
(d)10
3.The number of tickets a group can afford is inversely proportional to the price per ticket. At £4 per ticket, the group can afford 12 tickets. Work out how many tickets the group can afford at £6 per ticket.
(a)6
(b)18
(c)12
(d)8
4.A hexagonal prism has 8 faces and 12 vertices. Using F + V − E = 2, work out how many edges it has.
(a)20
(b)22
(c)18
(d)16
5.Two fair five-sided dice, numbered 1 to 5, are rolled. Work out the probability that the two scores differ by at least 2.
(a)6/25
(b)12/25
(c)10/25
(d)13/25
6.A sector of a pie chart stands for 25% of the data. Work out the angle at the centre of that sector.
(a)45°
(b)25°
(c)90°
(d)14.4°
7.2/3 of an amount of money is £30. Work out the amount.
(a)£15
(b)£45
(c)£20
(d)£90
8.Solve 7x − 5 = 3x + 11
(a)−4
(b)1.5
(c)0.6
(d)4
9.Priya is paid £58.50 for working 7.5 hours on a Saturday. Work out her rate of pay, in £ per hour.
(a)£7.80
(b)£438.75
(c)£51.00
(d)£0.13
10.The vector $(- 2 5)$ describes a translation. A student writes it as $(5 - 2)$ by mistake. Write down what error the student has made.
(a)Doubled the x component
(b)Reversed both signs
(c)Swapped the x and y components
(d)Reversed only the y sign
11.Priya spins a fair spinner with P(red) = 0.3, and separately flips a fair coin with P(heads) = 0.5. Using a tree diagram, work out the probability that she gets red AND heads.
(a)0.5
(b)0.8
(c)0.15
(d)0.65
12.A café offers 3 types of soup and 4 types of bread roll. Work out how many different combinations of one soup and one bread roll are possible.
(a)3
(b)12
(c)7
(d)4
13.Write down the coefficient of p in the expression 7 − 4p + 9q.
(a)7
(b)4
(c)9
(d)−4
14.3 kg of apples cost £6. Work out the cost of 5 kg of the same apples.
(a)£3.60
(b)£10
(c)£11
(d)£30
15.Point D is at (3, 4). It is rotated 90° clockwise about the origin (0, 0). Work out the coordinates of the image of point D.
(a)(−3, −4)
(b)(−4, 3)
(c)(4, −3)
(d)(4, 3)
16.Given that 2⁵ = 32, work out 2⁶.
(a)34
(b)37
(c)192
(d)64
17.An equation has exactly one value of x that makes it true, but an identity is true for every value of x. Which of these best explains why 3x + 5 = 20 is an equation rather than an identity?
(a)It has an = sign, and equations always use =.
(b)3x + 5 cannot be simplified, so it must be an equation.
(c)Only x = 5 satisfies 3x + 5 = 20, not every value of x.
(d)A number on the right-hand side makes it an equation.
18.For the pairs x = 6, y = 15 and x = 10, y = 25, which statement is correct?
(a)They are not in direct proportion, because y − x is different for each pair (9 and 15).
(b)They are not in direct proportion, because x + y is different for each pair (21 and 35).
(c)They are in direct proportion, because y ÷ x = 2.5 for both pairs.
(d)They are in direct proportion, because x × y = 90 and 250.
19.Write down a prime number between 30 and 40.
(a)33
(b)31
(c)36
(d)34
20.A map has a scale of 1 : 50 000. Two villages are 4 cm apart on the map. Work out the real distance between the villages, in kilometres.
(a)2 km
(b)20 km
(c)200 km
(d)0.2 km

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.