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.During one night on a mountain, four hikers each recorded the temperature they felt: Ben −6 °C, Priya −2 °C, Sam −9 °C, Alex 1 °C. Work out the difference between the coldest and the warmest of these four temperatures.
- 2.There are 50 adults on a coach to the Lake District. Every adult is either a man or a woman. There are 10 more men than women. Work out the number of men.
- 3.Two numbers A and B are in the ratio 3:5. When 6 is added to B, the ratio of A to the new value of B is 1:2. Work out the value of A.
- 4.A garden plan is drawn to a scale of 1 cm : 1.8 m. A path on the plan measures 4.5 cm. What is the real length of the path, in metres, to 1 decimal place?
- 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.Two classes sat the same test. The 30 pupils in Class A had a mean mark of 72. The 20 pupils in Class B had a mean mark of 82. Work out the mean mark of all 50 pupils.
- 7.Write these numbers in order, starting with the smallest: 3, −1, 0, −5
- 8.Solve 3x − 1 = 8
- 9.A plumber's charge, C pounds, for a job lasting h hours is shown on a straight-line graph. The line passes through the points (1, 45) and (3, 85). Work out what the gradient of this line represents, in context.
- 10.A footpath is 3750 m long. Work out this distance in kilometres.
- 11.Two ordinary fair dice are rolled. Work out the probability that the difference between the two scores is 1.
- 12.Work out √49
- 13.The simultaneous equations x = 2 and x + y = 9 are given. Work out the value of y.
- 14.A section of a kitchen wall has an area of 45,000 cm². Work out the area of this section in m².
- 15.A tap fills a tank at a rate of 18 litres per minute. The tank holds 0.45 m³. Work out how long the tap takes to fill the tank.
- 16.A choir has sopranos, altos and tenors in the ratio 6 : 4 : 5. What fraction of the choir is not tenors?
- 17.A gardener charges a fixed fee of £15 plus £8 for each hour worked. The total charge, £T, for a job lasting h hours is given by T = 15 + 8h. Work out the charge for a job lasting 4 hours, and identify what kind of statement T = 15 + 8h is.
- 18.Ollie says that the ratio 6 : 15 is equivalent to the ratio 2 : 5. Is he correct? Give a reason for your answer.
- 19.Work out 2 × 3 × 5 + 1 and decide whether the result is a prime number.
- 20.A hosepipe fills a paddling pool at a constant rate. The volume of water in the pool increases by 15 litres every 3 minutes. Write down the gradient of the graph of volume against time.
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.