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.Round 592.5 to the nearest 10.
- 2.Write down the expression that means the same as 'subtract 5 from n, then divide the result by 2'.
- 3.y is directly proportional to x. When x = 4, y = 10. Work out the value of y when x = 6.
- 4.Write down the column vector that describes a translation of 5 units to the left and 3 units down.
- 5.An archer hits the bullseye with probability 0.24 on any one shot. She wants to know how many shots she must take to expect to hit the bullseye 12 times. Work out how many shots this is.
- 6.A school posts a questionnaire about school dinners to the families of all 200 pupils. Only 30 families send theirs back, and 27 of those 30 say they are unhappy with school dinners. Give a reason why this result may not represent all 200 families.
- 7.Work out 6² − 4².
- 8.Simplify k + k + k + k + k.
- 9.Work out the value of x when 4/x = 2/5.
- 10.Two similar triangular tiles have lengths in the ratio 3 : 5. The longest side of the smaller tile is 9 cm. Work out the length of the longest side of the larger tile.
- 11.Two ordinary fair dice are rolled. Work out the probability that both dice show the same score.
- 12.A quarter-circle has a radius of 6 cm. Work out the exact perimeter of the quarter-circle, giving your answer in terms of π.
- 13.Work out the value of 3b − 4 when b = 6
- 14.y is directly proportional to x. If the value of x is trebled (multiplied by 3), what happens to the value of y?
- 15.Triangles PQS and RQS share the common side QS. PQ equals RQ, and PS equals RS. Which condition proves that triangle PQS is congruent to triangle RQS?
- 16.Jack buys 3 books, each costing £4.25, and pays with a £20 note. Work out how much change he receives.
- 17.Which of these values of x is a solution of x² + 2x − 15 = 0?
- 18.Write 75p : £1.50 as a ratio of whole numbers in its simplest form.
- 19.Amelia eats 5/8 of a bar of chocolate and Oliver eats 3/4 of an identical bar. Write both amounts as eighths and write down the greater of the two fractions.
- 20.In a car park there are 35 cars and 15 vans. Write the ratio of the number of vans to the number of cars 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.