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.Write these three numbers in order, starting with the smallest: 3/5, 0.55, 58%
- 2.A plumber charges a £40 call-out fee plus £25 for each hour worked. The total charge, £C, for a job lasting h hours is given by C = 40 + 25h. Work out the charge for a job lasting 3 hours, and name what kind of statement C = 40 + 25h is.
- 3.Write 45 minutes : 2 hours as a ratio in its simplest form.
- 4.A treasure map has a scale of 1 cm to 4 m. A path from the start to a rock is drawn as two straight sections, measuring 3 cm and 2.5 cm. Work out the total real distance from the start to the rock, in metres.
- 5.Two fair spinners are each numbered 1, 2 and 3. Priya spins both spinners together and records the two numbers as a pair, listing every possible outcome systematically in a grid. Work out the probability that the two numbers are the same.
- 6.Work out the median of these five numbers: 2, 4, 7, 12, 26
- 7.Work out the reciprocal of (2 + 3)
- 8.A sequence starts at 2. Each term after that is found using the rule "double the previous term, then add 1". Work out the 4th term of the sequence.
- 9.Grace's mean mark in her maths tests rises from 70 to 84. Work out the percentage increase in her mean mark.
- 10.A solid has one curved surface and two flat circular faces of equal size, one at each end. What is the name of this solid?
- 11.A red fair dice and a blue fair dice are rolled together. Every outcome is listed as an ordered pair, red score then blue score. Work out the probability that the red score is less than the blue score.
- 12.Ava measures a metal rod and records its length as 15 cm, correct to the nearest centimetre. Ben measures the same rod and records its length as 14.8 cm, correct to the nearest 0.1 cm. Decide whether both records can be correct, and give a reason for your answer.
- 13.Work out the y-intercept of the graph of y = x² + 3x − 10.y = x² + 3x − 10
- 14.y is inversely proportional to x. When x = 5, y = 8. Work out the value of y when x = 10.
- 15.After a translation by the vector , a point lands on (4, 1). Write down the coordinates of the point before the translation.
- 16.Work out (−2)³ + (−3)² − (−4)
- 17.A cinema sells adult tickets for £10 and child tickets for £6. A family group buys 9 tickets in total, spending £74. Work out how many adult tickets were bought.
- 18.Last week Priya worked 5 shifts of 7 hours. This week she worked 4 shifts of 8 hours. Write the number of hours she worked last week as a fraction of the number of hours she worked this week.
- 19.2/3 of an amount of money is £30. Work out the amount.
- 20.In a mix of mortar the ratio of the mass of sand to the mass of cement is 5 : 2. Write the mass of cement as a fraction of the total mass of the mix.
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.