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.Two lighthouses flash at the start of the same minute. The first lighthouse flashes every 8 minutes and the second flashes every 12 minutes. Work out how many minutes it will be until they next flash together.
- 2.Work out the equation of the straight line through the points (−3, 4) and (1, −8).
- 3.Two quantities are connected by the formula y = 0.8x. Write down the ratio y : x in its simplest form.y = 0.8x
- 4.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°.
- 5.The probability that it rains in Manchester tomorrow is 1/12. Work out the probability that it does not rain in Manchester tomorrow.
- 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.Work out (5 + 2) × 3²
- 8.The point F has x-coordinate −1 and lies 6 units above the x-axis. Write down the coordinates of F.
- 9.x is 2/3 of y. Write the ratio x : y in its simplest form.
- 10.ABCD is an isosceles trapezium. The sides AB and DC are parallel, and the two sloping sides AD and BC are equal in length. Angle D is 112°. Work out the size of angle B.
- 11.At a fête, a game costs £3 to play. The probability of winning is 0.1, and each win pays out £20. 150 people play the game. Work out the fête's expected profit from the game.
- 12.In a classroom the ratio of boys to girls is 3 : 4. What fraction of the class are boys?
- 13.Work out the value of 4p² − 3 when p = 2.5
- 14.A lorry is carrying a load of mass m tonnes. Given that 1 tonne = 1000 kg, write down an expression for the mass of the load in kilograms.
- 15.A shop stacks identical storage crates in a display. The diagram shows the plan of the floor positions used, with one corner position marked. Every floor position is filled with crates stacked 3 high, except the marked corner position, which is left completely empty. Work out how many crates are used in total.
- 16.A quarter-circle has a radius of 6 cm. Work out the exact perimeter of the quarter-circle, giving your answer in terms of π.
- 17.A company's profit is £500 in its first year. Each year after that, the profit is £300 more than the year before. Work out the profit in the company's 6th year.
- 18.Work out how many seconds there are in 3 minutes and 20 seconds.
- 19.A supermarket sells apples at £1.85 per kg. Anna buys 3.6 kg of apples. Estimate the cost by rounding each number to 1 significant figure before multiplying. Work out Anna's estimate.
- 20.A rectangle has its height and its width in the ratio 3:2. The height of the rectangle is 18 cm. Work out the width of the rectangle.
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.