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

VersionsA only A + B A + B + Csame questions, different order

AnswersQuestions only With answer key Key only

New sheet

GCSE Foundation sample Paper 1 (non-calculator)

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

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.Insert one pair of brackets into 2 + 3 × 5 − 1 so that the calculation is equal to 24. Which calculation is correct?
(a)(2 + 3 × 5) − 1
(b)(2 + 3) × 5 − 1
(c)2 + 3 × (5 − 1)
(d)(2 + 3) × (5 − 1)
2.Which of these statements is an equation with exactly one solution?
(a)5x − 3 = 12
(b)5x − 3 = 5x − 3
(c)5x − 3 > 12
(d)5x − 3 = 5x + 2
3.A map has a scale of 2 cm : 5 km. A footpath measures 8 cm on the map. Work out the real length of the footpath, in kilometres.
(a)3.2 km
(b)20 km
(c)40 km
(d)5 km
4.A triangular prism has a cross-section that is a triangle with a base of 3.5 cm and a perpendicular height of 4 cm. The prism is 10 cm long. Work out the volume of the prism.
(a)7 cm³
(b)70 cm³
(c)35 cm³
(d)140 cm³
5.The probability that Kofi passes his driving test on any attempt is 0.6, and each attempt is independent of the others. Work out the probability that he fails both his first two attempts.
(a)0.16
(b)0.36
(c)0.24
(d)0.4
6.Write down what a scatter graph is used to show.
(a)The relationship between two variables
(b)How a total is shared between categories
(c)How one quantity changes over time
(d)The frequency of each single value
7.Which of these numbers is the largest: −9, −7, −4, −2?
(a)−7
(b)−4
(c)−2
(d)−9
8.The simultaneous equations x = 2 and x + y = 9 are given. Work out the value of y.
(a)y = 4.5
(b)y = 7
(c)y = 9
(d)y = 11
9.A map has a scale of 1 : 100. A path measures 5 cm on the map. Work out the real length of the path, in metres.
(a)500 m
(b)50 m
(c)5 m
(d)0.05 m
10.A parallelogram has an area of 54 cm² and a base of 9 cm. Work out its perpendicular height.
(a)12 cm
(b)486 cm
(c)6 cm
(d)45 cm
11.A survey asked 80 people to name their favourite drink. The table shows the results: Tea 20 people, Coffee 32 people, Juice 16 people, Water 12 people. Work out the percentage of people whose favourite drink was Coffee.
(a)25%
(b)40%
(c)20%
(d)32%
12.Work out the value of ∛125.
(a)5
(b)375
(c)15625
(d)62.5
13.Which of these quadratic graphs does NOT cross the x-axis at all?
(a)y = (x − 2)² + 3
(b)y = (x + 4)(x − 1)
(c)y = (x − 2)(x + 3)
(d)y = x² − 9
14.A tin of beans has a mass of 400 g. A tin of soup has a mass of 500 g. Write the mass of the tin of beans as a fraction of the mass of the tin of soup, giving your answer in its simplest form.
(a)1/5
(b)4/5
(c)5/9
(d)5/4
15.The diagram shows the plan view and the front elevation of a cuboid-shaped box, each drawn as a rectangle. Work out the area of the box's side elevation, in square centimetres.
(a)40 cm²
(b)120 cm²
(c)24 cm²
(d)15 cm²
16.A recipe uses 0.625 kg of flour. Write this mass as a fraction of a kilogram, in its simplest form.
(a)31/50
(b)25/4
(c)5/8
(d)8/5
17.Solve x² − x − 12 = 0.
(a)x = 4 or x = −3
(b)x = −4 or x = 3
(c)x = 12 or x = −1
(d)x = 4 or x = 3
18.A car is bought for £12000. Its value falls by 15% in the first year and by 10% in each year after that. Work out the value of the car 3 years after it was bought.
(a)£8748
(b)£9180
(c)£7800
(d)£8262
19.A cyclist rides at a steady speed of 8 metres per second. Work out this speed in kilometres per hour.
(a)28.8 km/h
(b)0.48 km/h
(c)2.22 km/h
(d)28 800 km/h
20.Amelia uses 2 kg of flour to bake 5 cakes. Using the same recipe, work out how many cakes she can bake with 6 kg of flour.
(a)10
(b)12
(c)15
(d)20

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.