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 (5 + 2) × 3²
- 2.A number, n, is tripled and then 4.5 is added. The result is 22.5. Form an equation and solve it to find n.
- 3.A charity receives £360 in donations in January and £480 in donations in February. Write the amount received in January as a fraction of the amount received in February, giving your answer in its simplest form.
- 4.ABCD is an isosceles trapezium. The sides AB and DC are parallel, and the two sloping sides AD and BC are equal in length. Angle D is 112°. Work out the size of angle B.
- 5.A bag contains 2 white counters and 8 black counters. One counter is taken at random from the bag. Work out the probability that the counter is not black.
- 6.The age, in years, and the score in a reaction test are recorded for eight members of a sports club: (14, 92), (18, 88), (23, 85), (27, 80), (31, 78), (36, 74), (42, 70), (49, 65). The eight pairs are plotted on a scatter graph. Describe the correlation between age and score.
- 7.The distance from the Earth to the Moon is 384,000 km. Write this distance in standard form, in kilometres.
- 8.A number, w, satisfies the statement "three times w, minus 5, is at least 16". Which of these is the correct inequality for w?
- 9.A film runs for 2.25 hours. Work out the length of the film in minutes.
- 10.A parallelogram has an area of 96 cm² and a base of 8 cm. Work out the perpendicular height of the parallelogram.
- 11.A fair four-sided dice, numbered 1 to 4, is rolled twice. Every outcome is listed as an ordered pair, first roll then second roll, such as (2, 3). Work out how many different outcomes are in the list.
- 12.The diameter of an artificial silk fibre is 4 × 10⁻⁶ metres. One nanometre is 10⁻⁹ metres. Work out the diameter of the fibre in nanometres.
- 13.Solve 2(x + 3) = 10
- 14.A coach journey of 240 km takes 3 hours. For this fixed distance the average speed needed is inversely proportional to the time taken. Work out the average speed needed to complete the same journey in 2 hours.
- 15.Point A is at (2, 3). It is translated by the vector (4, −1) to give point A′. Work out the coordinates of A′.
- 16.Write down the symbol that makes this statement true: 6/11 ___ 4/11
- 17.Expand and simplify (x − 3)²
- 18.A recipe requires flour and butter in the ratio 3 : 2. Write down which of these amounts could be used in the recipe.
- 19.Write 0.00072 in standard form.
- 20.A train journey takes 2 hours 15 minutes. A bus journey to the same place takes 3 hours 45 minutes. Write the time for the train journey as a fraction of the time for the bus journey, giving your answer in its simplest form.
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.