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%.

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GCSE Foundation sample Paper 2 (calculator)

Maths · GCSE Foundation · Paper 2 · Calculator · 20 questions

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1.A spinner has 4 colours and a coin has 2 sides. Work out how many different outcomes are possible when the spinner is spun once and the coin is tossed once.
(a)6
(b)4
(c)8
(d)2
2.The graph of y = x² + 2x − 15 crosses the x-axis at two points. By factorising, work out the x-coordinates of these two points.
y = x² + 2x − 15
(a)x = −3 and x = 5
(b)x = 5 and x = 3
(c)x = 3 and x = −5
(d)x = −15 and x = 1
3.y is inversely proportional to x. When x = 5, y = 8. Work out the value of y when x = 10.
(a)4
(b)0.8
(c)16
(d)3
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 $(6.5 - 3.75)$ to pick up a component, then by the vector $(- 1.5 2.25)$ to place it. Work out the coordinates of the tip after both moves.
(a)(0.75, 11)
(b)(8.75, 2.25)
(c)(6.5, 3.75)
(d)(11, 0.75)
5.In a game, Freddie says the probability of winning is 0.45, the probability of drawing is 0.3 and the probability of losing is 0.35, and that all three of his probabilities are correct. Which statement about Freddie's probabilities is correct?
(a)No — the three probabilities sum to 1.10, over 1.
(b)Yes — each probability lies between 0 and 1.
(c)Yes — the three outcomes are mutually exclusive.
(d)Yes — winning has the highest single probability.
6.A stem-and-leaf diagram, described in words, shows the ages of 9 people at a family party. The stem is the tens digit: stem 1 has leaves 4 and 8; stem 2 has leaves 0, 3, 5 and 9; stem 3 has leaves 1 and 6; stem 4 has leaf 2. Work out the median age.
(a)29
(b)26
(c)23
(d)25
7.Work out (−3) × 4 + 10
(a)−42
(b)−2
(c)−22
(d)22
8.The solution to an inequality is n ≤ 5. Write down the largest integer value of n that satisfies this inequality.
(a)5
(b)4
(c)6
(d)−5
9.Write 250 g : 2 kg as a ratio in its simplest form.
(a)1:8
(b)5:40
(c)125:1
(d)8:1
10.A circular plate has a diameter of 20 cm. Work out the area of the plate. Use π = 3.14.
(a)314 cm²
(b)1256 cm²
(c)62.8 cm²
(d)628 cm²
11.A machine produces bolts. In a sample of 250 bolts, 15 are faulty. Work out the relative frequency of a bolt being faulty, giving your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.
(a)50/3
(b)3/47
(c)1/10
(d)3/50
12.A weather app records the temperature at three points in one day: 6 °C at noon, −2 °C at midnight, and −7 °C just before dawn. Work out the difference between the highest and lowest of these three temperatures.
(a)13 °C
(b)5 °C
(c)−1 °C
(d)8 °C
13.A rule turns each input x into an output y. The inputs are x = 0, 1, 2, 3 and the outputs are y = 4, 7, 10, 13. Work out the output when x = 5.
(a)19
(b)21
(c)22
(d)16
14.Work out the difference between 45% of 70 and 35% of 80.
(a)11.5
(b)3.5
(c)59.5
(d)10
15.Three angles meet at a single point on one side of a straight line. Two of the angles are 48° and 65°. Work out the third angle.
(a)113°
(b)48°
(c)67°
(d)180°
16.Work out 5 + 3 × (9 − 6)
(a)14
(b)24
(c)9
(d)26
17.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
(a)x = 3(y + 8)
(b)x = (y − 8) / 3
(c)x = y + 8 / 3
(d)x = (y + 8) / 3
18.Jamal invests £600 in a savings account paying 3% simple interest per year. Work out the total amount in the account after 4 years.
(a)£675.31
(b)£72
(c)£672
(d)£618
19.Round 6.283 to 1 significant figure.
(a)10
(b)6.3
(c)6
(d)0.6
20.The ratio of Josh's savings to Mia's savings is 4:7. Mia has £39 more than Josh. Work out Josh's savings.
(a)£39
(b)£52
(c)£91
(d)£13

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.