Sample paper · GCSE Foundation · grades 1–5
GCSE Foundation sample Paper 2 (calculator)
The real Paper 2 is 1.5 hour 30 minutes and 80 marks, 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 a calculator allowed. AO1 / AO2 / AO3 at this tier: 50% / 25% / 25%.
CalculatorGCSE Foundation
GCSE Foundation sample Paper 2 (calculator)
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- 1.A red blood cell has a diameter of about 7 × 10⁻⁶ metres. A virus has a diameter about 100 times smaller. Work out the diameter of the virus. Give your answer in standard form.
- 2.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.
- 3.A jug holds 3 litres of a drink that is 60% fruit juice. 1 litre of water is added to the jug. Work out the percentage of the new mixture that is fruit juice.
- 4.A market stall sells apples at £2.40 per kilogram. Which of these expressions gives the cost, in pounds, of buying m kilograms of apples?
- 5.A padlock code is formed by arranging three different digits chosen from 2, 3, 4 and 5, with no digit repeated. Work out how many different three-digit codes can be made.
- 6.Write down what a scatter graph is used to show.
- 7.Work out (−6) + (−4) × 3
- 8.A rule turns each input x into an output y. The inputs are x = −1, 0, 1, 2 and the matching outputs are y = 5, 3, 1, −1. Work out the rule.
- 9.Four graphs are described below. Each shows one quantity plotted against another. Write down the description of the graph that shows two quantities in direct proportion.
- 10.A circular coaster has a radius of 4 cm. Work out the circumference of the coaster. Give your answer in terms of π.
- 11.A fair coin is flipped three times. Work out the probability of getting at least one head.
- 12.In a class, 1/3 of the pupils are girls. There are 12 girls in the class. Work out how many pupils are in the class.
- 13.To rearrange the formula y = 3x − 8 to make x the subject, Priya writes: 'Add 8 to both sides to get y + 8 = 3x, then divide both sides by 3 to get x = y + 8 ÷ 3.' Work out the correct expression for x.y = 3x − 8
- 14.y is always the same multiple of x. When x = 6, y = 15. Work out the value of y when x = 10.
- 15.The interior angles of a pentagon are 100°, 110°, 120°, x° and x°. Work out the size of each of the two angles marked x°.
- 16.Simplify 3² ÷ 3⁵, giving your answer as a single power of 3.
- 17.A table of values is being drawn for the graph of y = x³. Work out the value of y when x = −2.y = x
- 18.A charity receives £360 in donations in January and £480 in donations in February. Write the amount received in January as a fraction of the amount received in February, giving your answer in its simplest form.
- 19.A washing machine costs £320 before VAT. VAT is charged at 20%. Work out the total price including VAT.
- 20.A recipe for pastry uses flour and butter in the ratio 3:2. A baker has 180 g of butter and wants to make pastry using all of it. Work out the total mass of pastry the baker can make.
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.