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.A circle has a diameter of 10 cm. Work out the exact circumference of the circle, in terms of π.
- 2.Simplify k + k + k + k + k.
- 3.A lorry is carrying a load of mass m tonnes. Given that 1 tonne = 1000 kg, write down an expression for the mass of the load in kilograms.
- 4.A(1, 2), B(5, 2) and C(5, 6) are three of the four vertices of a square ABCD. Work out the coordinates of D.
- 5.In a game, Zara says the probability of scoring is 3/8, the probability of missing is 5/12 and the probability of a rebound is 1/6, and that these are the only three outcomes. Is Zara correct that her three probabilities are valid?
- 6.A café owner in Brighton records the midday temperature, x °C, and the number of hot chocolates sold, y, on 12 days. The temperatures recorded run from 4 °C to 18 °C, and the line of best fit is y = −3x + 74. The forecast for tomorrow gives a midday temperature of 12 °C. Work out the number the line of best fit predicts, and write down how much confidence the owner can have in it.y = -3x + 74
- 7.On one night in Manchester the temperature at 3 am was 8 °C below zero and at 9 am it was 3 °C below zero. Write down the warmer of the two readings.
- 8.A ribbon of length L metres is cut into 5 equal pieces, and then 3 metres is removed from one piece. Write down an expression, in metres, for the length of that piece after 3 metres is removed.
- 9.The number of calories burned, E, by a runner is plotted against the time, m minutes, on a straight-line graph. The line passes through the origin and the point (10, 80). Work out the gradient of the line.
- 10.A shape is translated by the vector . The point P(6, 1) lies on the shape. Write down the coordinates of the image of P.
- 11.A spinner is divided into sectors of 180°, 120° and 60°, coloured red, blue and green in that order. The spinner is spun 60 times. Work out how many times you would expect it to land on green.
- 12.Work out 3 × (−2)² − 5
- 13.Which expression is equivalent to 3(x + 4) − 2(x − 1)?
- 14.Write 3/4 as a percentage.
- 15.A hexagon has interior angles of 130°, 142°, 125°, 150°, 135° and x°. Work out the value of x.
- 16.Write these three numbers in order of size, starting with the smallest: 0.7, 3/4, 0.72
- 17.Write down the expression that means the same as p + p + p + q.
- 18.A necklace uses 22 blue beads and 8 red beads. Write the number of blue beads as a fraction of the number of red beads. Give your answer as a mixed number in its simplest form.
- 19.A student works out the exact area of a circle with radius 4 cm by squaring the radius but forgetting to multiply by π. Work out the correct exact area of the circle, in terms of π.
- 20.y is directly proportional to x. When x = 4, y = 10. Work out the value of y when x = 6.
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.