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.Work out an estimate for 6.8 × 41, by rounding each number to 1 significant figure.
- 2.The simultaneous equations x = 2 and x + y = 9 are given. Work out the value of y.
- 3.Which of these ratios is already written in its simplest form?
- 4.A robotic arm's tip starts at the point (12.5, −4.25) on a grid measured in centimetres. It moves by the vector to pick up a component, then by the vector to place it. Work out the coordinates of the tip after both moves.
- 5.A = {factors of 12} and B = {factors of 18}. Work out n(A ∩ B), the number of elements in both sets.
- 6.Write down the statement that correctly describes the difference between correlation and causation.
- 7.The attendance at a football match is 23,000, correct to the nearest thousand. Which of these attendances is not possible for the match?
- 8.Jack is x years old. His brother Kwame is 3 years older than Jack. Write down an expression for Kwame's age.
- 9.A jug holds 2 litres. Given that 1 litre = 1000 cm³, work out the capacity of the jug in cm³.
- 10.A polygon has 12 straight sides. What is the mathematical name for this polygon?
- 11.A fair coin is flipped and a fair three-sided spinner, labelled X, Y and Z, is spun. Every outcome is listed as a pair, such as (H, X). Work out the probability that the outcome is a head and Z.
- 12.Work out 3 × (−2)² − 5
- 13.Solve 2x + 7 = x + 13
- 14.A textbook is reduced from £60 to £45. Work out the percentage reduction.
- 15.Work out the distance between the point (0, 0) and the point (5, 12).
- 16.The number 36 can be written as 2² × 3², and the number 84 can be written as 2² × 3 × 7. Work out the highest common factor of 36 and 84.
- 17.A graph shows the total monthly cost of a mobile phone tariff against the number of minutes of calls. The line starts at £12 and stays level until 200 minutes, then rises by 5p for each further minute of calls. Use the graph to work out the total cost of a month in which 250 minutes of calls are made.
- 18.A furniture designer makes a scale model of a wardrobe using a scale of 1 : 8. The real wardrobe is 2.4 m tall and 1.2 m wide. Work out the perimeter of the front face of the model wardrobe, in centimetres.
- 19.Work out 3³ + 2⁴.
- 20.£96 is shared between Ben, Cara and Dev in the ratio 2:3:7. Work out how much Cara receives.
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.