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

VersionsA only A + B A + B + Csame questions, different order

AnswersQuestions only With answer key Key only

New sheet

GCSE Foundation sample Paper 2 (calculator)

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

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.Estimate the value of √45, giving your answer to the nearest whole number.
(a)2,025
(b)7
(c)6
(d)22.5
2.Meera writes the statement 3(x + 4) = 3x + 12. Which of these correctly describes what she has written, with a reason?
(a)An identity, true for every value of x
(b)A formula, relating two expressions
(c)An equation, because it has an equals sign
(d)An equation, solved by one value of x
3.A cleaning solution is made by mixing disinfectant and water in the ratio 1 : 9. Priti wants to make 6 litres of the solution in total. Work out how much disinfectant she needs.
(a)0.6 litres
(b)5.4 litres
(c)0.667 litres
(d)6 litres
4.A trapezium has parallel sides of 5 cm and 11 cm, and a perpendicular height of 4 cm. Work out the area of the trapezium.
(a)32 cm²
(b)44 cm²
(c)20 cm²
(d)64 cm²
5.A tree diagram shows two rounds of a game, played independently. On each round, the probability of losing is 0.7 and the probability of winning is 0.3. Work out the probability of losing both rounds.
(a)0.09
(b)1.4
(c)0.49
(d)0.7
6.A study found that people who drink more coffee tend to concentrate better at work. A coffee company says that this shows that drinking coffee improves concentration. Give the reason why this conclusion cannot be drawn.
(a)The conclusion is safe because the correlation is positive
(b)The conclusion is wrong because the correlation is negative
(c)The data show a link only; a third factor may affect both
(d)The two quantities are not linked, so nothing can be said
7.Find the missing number: ▢ ÷ 15 = 24
(a)360
(b)39
(c)9
(d)1.6
8.Solve the simultaneous equations 5x − 2y = 16 and 3x + 2y = 16. Work out the value of x.
(a)8
(b)4
(c)2
(d)0
9.A sculptor makes two mathematically similar statues. The smaller statue is 20 cm tall and 80 ml of varnish covers its surface. The larger statue is 50 cm tall. Work out how much varnish is needed to cover the surface of the larger statue.
(a)200 ml
(b)1250 ml
(c)32 ml
(d)500 ml
10.A square tile has sides of length 4.5 cm. Work out the perimeter of the tile.
(a)16 cm
(b)9 cm
(c)18 cm
(d)20.25 cm²
11.A fair spinner is divided into 5 equal sections, 2 labelled win and 3 labelled lose. Zara spins it twice, and the two spins are independent. Work out the probability that she wins on the first spin and loses on the second spin.
(a)9/25
(b)6/25
(c)4/25
(d)3/10
12.A circle has a diameter of 10 cm. Work out the exact circumference of the circle, in terms of π.
(a)25π cm
(b)5π cm
(c)20π cm
(d)10π cm
13.A straight line has gradient −2 and passes through the point (3, 1). Work out the equation of the line.
(a)y = −2x + 7
(b)y = −2x − 5
(c)y = 2x + 7
(d)y = −2x + 1
14.A recipe uses flour, sugar and butter in the ratio 8 : 3 : 5. Write the ratio of flour to the rest of the mixture (sugar and butter combined) in its simplest form.
(a)3 : 5
(b)8 : 3
(c)1 : 2
(d)1 : 1
15.A triangular badge has two sides of length 8 cm and a third side of length 5 cm. Work out the perimeter of the badge.
(a)13 cm
(b)16 cm
(c)21 cm
(d)24 cm
16.In a box of chocolates 5/8 are milk chocolates and the rest are dark chocolates. Work out the number of dark chocolates as a fraction of the number of milk chocolates.
(a)8/5
(b)5/3
(c)3/8
(d)3/5
17.The graph of y = 24/x is drawn for x > 0. Work out the value of y when x = 6.
(a)y = 18
(b)y = 30
(c)y = 144
(d)y = 4
18.Paint costs £14.40 for every 20 m² of wall it covers. Assuming the same rate, work out the cost of the paint needed to cover 56 m² of wall.
(a)£40.32
(b)£5.14
(c)£50.40
(d)£0.72
19.A lorry travels 105 miles in 1 hour 45 minutes. Work out its average speed in miles per hour.
(a)183.75 mph
(b)52.5 mph
(c)72.4 mph
(d)60 mph
20.Amelia uses 2 kg of flour to bake 5 cakes. Using the same recipe, work out how many cakes she can bake with 6 kg of flour.
(a)10
(b)12
(c)15
(d)20

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.