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.Work out −6 × (−3).
- 2.A rectangle is x cm wide and twice as long as it is wide, so its area A cm² is given by A = 2x². Work out A when x = 3.
- 3.A box contains 12 red counters and 18 blue counters. Write the number of red counters as a fraction of the number of blue counters. Give your answer in its simplest form.
- 4.A cuboid measures 5 cm long (left to right), 3 cm deep (front to back) and 2 cm tall. Its front elevation is 5 cm wide by 2 cm high. Its side elevation is 3 cm wide by 2 cm high. What are the dimensions of its plan view, looking down from above?
- 5.In Manchester the probability of rain on any day in November is taken to be 0.3, and whether it rains on one day is independent of whether it rains on the next. Work out the probability that it rains on both the 10th and the 11th of November.
- 6.A vertical line chart shows the number of goals scored by a football team in each of its 20 matches: 0 goals in 4 matches, 1 goal in 7 matches, 2 goals in 6 matches and 3 goals in 3 matches. Write down the modal number of goals.
- 7.Work out an estimate for 397 ÷ 21, by rounding each number to 1 significant figure.
- 8.Look at the statement 2x + 5 = 17. Considering whether it is an expression, an equation, a formula, or an identity, which classification is correct?
- 9.Jamal is paid £54 for working 6 hours. Work out his rate of pay, in £ per hour.
- 10.A solid pyramid has a square base of side 6 cm. Its apex is directly above the centre of the base, at a vertical height of 8 cm. Work out the volume of the pyramid.
- 11.A spinner is divided into 8 equal sections. 3 of the sections are red and the rest are not red. The spinner is spun once. Work out the probability that it does not land on red.
- 12.A washing machine costs £320 before VAT. VAT is charged at 20%. Work out the total price including VAT.
- 13.A taxi fare in pounds is given by F = 2.50 + 1.20m, where m is the number of miles travelled. Sam takes a taxi for a journey of 6 miles. Work out the fare.
- 14.Write 3/4 as a percentage.
- 15.In quadrilateral ABCD the two sides AB and BC are each 6 cm long and meet each other at B. The two sides CD and DA are each 9 cm long and meet each other at D. No side of ABCD is parallel to any other side. Write down the mathematical name of this quadrilateral.
- 16.3/5 of the students in a year group walk to school. 90 students walk to school. Work out the total number of students in the year group.
- 17.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.
- 18.Leah puts £4000 into a savings account paying 3% compound interest each year. At the end of 2 years she takes out all of the money and spends £1500 of it on a laptop. Work out how much of the money she has left.
- 19.Work out 0.6 × 0.04.
- 20.y is directly proportional to x. When x = 2, y = 9. Which of these pairs of values is also consistent with this proportion?
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.