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.Simplify (y³)⁴, giving your answer as a single power of y.
- 2.In the expression 5x² − 3x + 7, which of these is a single term of the expression?
- 3.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.
- 4.Shape S is enlarged by a scale factor of 3, centre the origin. A vertex of S is at (2, 1). Work out the coordinates of the image of this vertex.
- 5.A bag contains beads that are exactly one of red, white or black. The probability of taking a red bead is 3/10 and the probability of taking a white bead is 1/4. Work out the probability of taking a bead that is red or white.
- 6.On a scatter graph of the age of a car, in years, and its value, in pounds, the points fall from left to right. Write down the type of correlation shown.
- 7.Write 12 as a product of its prime factors.
- 8.The simultaneous equations y = 3 and 4x − y = 9 are given. Work out the value of x.
- 9.A photo is enlarged so that its new width is 1.4 times its original width. Write the multiplier that would scale the new width back down to the original width, as a fraction in its simplest form.
- 10.Write down the exact value of sin 0°.
- 11.A fair six-sided dice is rolled 300 times. Work out how many more times you would expect it to land on an even number than on a six.
- 12.Work out √144 − 2 × 3 + √25
- 13.Tom is asked to classify the statement 5(2x − 3) = 10x − 15. Which statement about it is correct?
- 14.A mortar mix is made from sand and cement in the ratio 5 : 3. Write the ratio of sand to the total mix in its simplest form.
- 15.A carpenter measures two triangular braces. Brace 1 has a 55° angle, a 65° angle, and, opposite the 55° angle, a side of 8 cm. Brace 2 has matching 55° and 65° angles and, opposite its 55° angle, a side of 8 cm. The carpenter says that because the equal 8 cm side is not between the two equal angles in either brace, he cannot be sure the two braces are the same size. Is the carpenter correct?
- 16.A sponsored walk is 36 km long. Aisha has completed 8/12 of the walk. Work out how far she has walked.
- 17.a = 2 and b = 5. Work out the value of a²b.
- 18.A straight line passes through the points (1, 20) and (5, 8). Work out the gradient of the line.
- 19.A number is divided by 5, then 6 is subtracted, giving the result −1. Work out the number.
- 20.Write 3 hours 45 minutes as a decimal number of hours.
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.