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)
MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk
- 1.Work out an estimate for 37 × 84, by rounding each number to 1 significant figure.
- 2.Solve x² − 6x = 0.
- 3.Two numbers are in the ratio 2 : 3. The smaller number is 8. Work out the larger number.
- 4.A rhombus has all four sides equal in length. Which statement about a rhombus is correct?
- 5.A grower knows that the probability that one of their seeds germinates is 0.6. The grower wants to expect 300 of the seeds to germinate. Work out how many seeds the grower should plant.
- 6.A scatter graph has 12 plotted points. Four pupils each draw a line of best fit on the same graph and count how many of the 12 points lie above their line and how many lie below it: Amir — 10 above, 2 below. Priya — 6 above, 6 below. Kofi — 2 above, 10 below. Leah — 0 above, 12 below. Write down the name of the pupil whose line was drawn correctly, so that the points are roughly balanced above and below it.
- 7.A number, n, is equal to 3.7 when rounded to 1 decimal place. Write down the error interval for n.
- 8.Isla says that the lines y = 2x + 1 and y = −2x + 3 are parallel. Write down the statement that gives the correct answer for the correct reason.y = 2x + 1y = -2x + 3
- 9.Two mathematically similar triangular flags have areas in the ratio 4 : 25. The height of the smaller flag is 6 cm. Work out the height of the larger flag.
- 10.A triangular flag has a base of 40 cm and a perpendicular height of 25 cm. Work out its area.
- 11.A leisure centre has 150 members. 80 of the members are male and the rest are female. Every member uses either the pool or the gym, but not both. 66 members use the pool, and 35 of those pool users are male. Work out how many female members use the gym.
- 12.Work out √144 − 2 × 3 + √25
- 13.A straight line has equation y = 2x − 7. Write down the coordinates of the point where the line crosses the y-axis.y = 2x − 7
- 14.A metal alloy is made from copper and tin in the ratio 7:3. Work out the mass of tin in 250 g of the alloy.
- 15.A solid is built from centimetre cubes standing on a table. Seen from the front, the left-hand column is 2 cubes high, the middle column is 2 cubes high and the right-hand column is 1 cube high. Work out how many squares make up the front elevation.
- 16.Find the missing number: ▢ ÷ 15 = 24
- 17.A theatre's front row has 18 seats. Each row behind has 4 more seats than the row in front. Which row has exactly 62 seats?
- 18.A metal block has a mass of 270 g and a volume of 30 cm³. Work out the density of the block, in g/cm³.
- 19.Work out an estimate for 79.3 − 24.6, by rounding each number to the nearest whole number.
- 20.A straight line passes through the points (1, 20) and (5, 8). Work out the gradient of the line.
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.