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.The thickness of a sheet of card is 0.02384 cm. Write this thickness correct to 2 significant figures.
- 2.Work out the value of 5a + 2 when a = 3
- 3.A ratio is 3 : 5. Write the first part of the ratio as a fraction of the whole.
- 4.The diagram shows a solid built from identical cubes. How many squares are in its plan view, the view looking straight down from above?
- 5.A biased spinner is spun 40 times and lands on red 16 times. It is then spun a further 60 times and lands on red 21 times. Work out the best estimate of the probability that the spinner lands on red, using the results of all 100 spins together.
- 6.A two-way table records whether each of 40 people at a gym in Sheffield prefers weights or cardio, and whether they are male or female. 24 of the 40 people are female. 15 of the males prefer cardio. 10 of the females prefer weights. Work out the total number of people who prefer cardio.
- 7.A quantity surveyor calculates a length as 24.6851 m. Round this length to 2 decimal places.
- 8.A gym charges a joining fee plus a monthly fee. Anna paid £100 in total after 3 months of membership. Ben paid £160 in total after 6 months of membership (same joining fee and monthly fee as Anna). Work out the monthly fee.
- 9.A cleaning solution is made by mixing disinfectant and water in the ratio 1 : 9. Priti wants to make 6 litres of the solution in total. Work out how much disinfectant she needs.
- 10.A parallelogram has a base of 9 cm and a perpendicular height of 6 cm. Work out the area of the parallelogram.
- 11.The probability that Ben catches his bus on time is 0.8. The probability that Freya catches her bus on time is 0.5. The two events are independent. Work out the probability that both Ben and Freya catch their bus on time.
- 12.Write down the symbol that makes this statement true: −2/3 ___ −5/6
- 13.Solve the inequality 5x − 3 > 2x + 9.
- 14.A jug holds 2 litres. Given that 1 litre = 1000 cm³, work out the capacity of the jug in cm³.
- 15.A surveyor is marking out field ABCD for a new crop. The plan states that side AB is parallel to side DC, but AB and DC are not equal in length, and sides BC and AD are not parallel to each other. Which term correctly describes the shape of field ABCD?
- 16.A market trader buys 8 melons at £1.35 each. He sells all of them for a total of £15.60. Work out his profit.
- 17.Solve (3x + 2)/5 = (x + 4)/3
- 18.6 identical taps fill a paddling pool in 20 minutes. Each tap fills at the same steady rate. Work out how long 3 of these taps would take to fill the same pool.
- 19.A recipe uses 160 g of flour. Sam wants to increase the amount by 1/4. Work out the new amount of flour.
- 20.A spring's extension is directly proportional to the force applied to it. A force of 5 N produces an extension of 12 mm. Work out the extension produced by a force of 20 N.
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.