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.Which of these statements about −0.7 and −0.25 is true?
- 2.A tank already contains some water and is then filled at a constant rate. After 2 minutes it contains 50 litres in total; after 7 minutes it contains 150 litres in total. Work out the rate at which water is added, in litres per minute.
- 3.A window cleaner charges a call-out fee plus an amount per window. The total charge, C pounds, is shown on a straight-line graph against the number of windows cleaned, w. The line passes through the points (2, 14) and (6, 26). Work out the gradient of the line.
- 4.Shape S has a vertex at (9, 6). It is enlarged by a scale factor of 1/3, centre the origin. Work out the coordinates of the image of this vertex.
- 5.A sorting office processes 2,000 letters addressed to one postcode area in a week. The probability that a letter is a bill is 0.15. Work out how many of the letters you would expect to be bills.
- 6.Noah wrote down the numbers 9, 3, 7, 1, 5 and said, “The median is 7, because 7 is in the middle of my list.” Is Noah right? Give a reason for your answer.
- 7.A number is multiplied by 4, then 8 is added, giving the result 40. Work out the number.
- 8.A gas company charges a standing charge plus a rate per unit used. The total cost, y in pounds, for using x units is given by y = 0.15x + 20. Work out the cost of using 200 units.y = 0.15x + 20
- 9.Two mathematically similar logos are printed on a poster. They have areas 20 cm² and 45 cm². Nadia says that the length scale factor from the smaller logo to the larger logo is 45 ÷ 20 = 2.25. Give a reason why Nadia is incorrect, and work out the correct length scale factor.
- 10.Write down the column vector, from the options given, that would move a point to the right and downwards.
- 11.Two fair four-sided dice, numbered 1 to 4, are rolled and the two scores are added together. Work out the probability that the total is 5.
- 12.Four weather stations each recorded their lowest overnight temperature. Which of these readings is the lowest?
- 13.Solve 2x² = 18.
- 14.A fruit bowl contains 9 apples and 21 oranges. Write down the ratio of apples to oranges in its simplest form.
- 15.m is the column vector with top number 3 and bottom number −4. Which of these column vectors is a scalar multiple of m?
- 16.Write these fractions in order, starting with the smallest: 2/3, 3/5, 5/6, 1/2
- 17.Simplify k + k + k + k + k.
- 18.The ratio of y to x is always 3 : 4. Write down which equation could represent this relationship.
- 19.A water tank holds 80 litres when full. It currently contains 60 litres. Work out what fraction of the tank is empty.
- 20.Ollie says that the ratio 6 : 15 is equivalent to the ratio 2 : 5. Is he correct? Give a reason for your answer.
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.