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.In a class, 1/3 of the pupils are girls. There are 12 girls in the class. Work out how many pupils are in the class.
- 2.A sequence has the position-to-term rule n² − 3, where n is the position number. Work out the difference between the 6th term and the 5th term.
- 3.A beaker holds 500 g of a salt solution of concentration 12%. Pure water is added until the concentration falls to 8%. Work out the mass of water added.
- 4.A right-angled triangle has angles of 90°, 40° and x°. Work out the value of x.
- 5.A bag contains 3 red beads and 7 blue beads. A bead is taken out at random and not put back. A second bead is then taken out at random. Work out the probability that the first bead is red and the second bead is also red.
- 6.A factory made 3,000 phone cases last week. Shift A checked a random sample of 100 cases and found that 34 were scratched. Shift B checked a different random sample of 50 cases and found that 21 were scratched. Using the COMBINED results from both shifts, work out an estimate for the number of scratched cases made last week.
- 7.Work out the value of .
- 8.Priya says that x = 6 is the solution of the equation 4x + 8 = 24. Priya is wrong. Work out the correct value of x.
- 9.A necklace is made using gold beads and silver beads in the ratio 7:3. There are 40 more gold beads than silver beads. Work out the total number of beads in the necklace.
- 10.Each of these has an exact value. Write down the one whose value is the greatest.
- 11.The probability that a plant grown from a seed packet germinates is 7/10. Work out the probability that it does not germinate.
- 12.A necklace is made from red beads and gold beads in the ratio 7 : 3. What fraction of the beads are gold?
- 13.The formula for the energy stored in a stretched spring is E = (1/2)kx², where E is in joules, k is the spring constant in N/m and x is the extension in m. A spring with a spring constant of 40 N/m is stretched so that its extension is 0.3 m. Work out the energy stored in the spring.
- 14.In a bag the ratio of red counters to blue counters is 7 : 4. Write the number of red counters as a fraction of the number of blue counters.
- 15.A circular coaster has a radius of 4 cm. Work out the circumference of the coaster. Give your answer in terms of π.
- 16.A cyclist rides at a steady speed of 8 metres per second. Work out this speed in kilometres per hour.
- 17.Which of these equations gives a straight-line graph when plotted?
- 18.A company's turnover was £128 000 in 2023 and £176 000 in 2024. Work out the multiplier that changes the 2023 turnover into the 2024 turnover.
- 19.In a fruit basket the ratio of bananas to oranges is 2 : 5. What fraction of the fruit are oranges?
- 20.A charity receives £360 in donations in January and £480 in donations in February. Write the amount received in January as a fraction of the amount received in February, giving your answer in its simplest form.
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.