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.Write 0.35 as a fraction in its lowest terms.
- 2.A taxi charges a £3 fixed fee plus £2 for each mile travelled. Write an expression, in pounds, for the total cost of a journey of n miles.
- 3.Write the ratio 2 : 1/4 as a ratio of whole numbers in its simplest form.
- 4.A regular polygon has 12 sides. Work out the size of one exterior angle of the polygon.
- 5.A pupil must choose 2 different subjects at random from these five: maths, physics, biology, chemistry and history. Work out the probability that the two subjects chosen are maths and biology.
- 6.A pupil writes this question for a school survey: “Do you agree that learning matters and that we should be set more homework?” Write down what is wrong with the survey question.
- 7.Work out 35% of 180.
- 8.Tom is asked to classify the statement 5(2x − 3) = 10x − 15. Which statement about it is correct?
- 9.Write 45 minutes : 2 hours as a ratio in its simplest form.
- 10.A trapezium has parallel sides of length 6 cm and 10 cm, and a perpendicular height of 4 cm. Work out its area.
- 11.A padlock code is formed by arranging three different digits chosen from 2, 3, 4 and 5, with no digit repeated. Work out how many different three-digit codes can be made.
- 12.Write 260,000 in standard form.
- 13.Solve 5x − 9 = 16
- 14.Work out 25% of 200.
- 15.A perpendicular bisector is drawn through the midpoint of a line segment AB. Which set of points does this construction show?
- 16.A bag holds 5 different sweets. Noah takes 2 of the sweets out of the bag together, so the order in which he takes them does not matter. Work out how many different pairs of sweets he could take.
- 17.A lift has a weight limit: it must carry no more than 630 kg. Let w be the total weight, in kg, carried by the lift. Which inequality describes this?
- 18.y is directly proportional to x. If the value of x is trebled (multiplied by 3), what happens to the value of y?
- 19.Write 0.25 as a fraction in its simplest form.
- 20.A garden centre has 90 rose bushes in stock. It receives a delivery that increases its stock of rose bushes by 20%. In the same week it sells 150 lavender bushes. Work out the new number of rose bushes, then write it as a fraction of the number of lavender bushes sold, 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.