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%.

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GCSE Foundation sample Paper 2 (calculator)

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

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1.A cyclist rides at a steady speed of 8 metres per second. Work out this speed in kilometres per hour.
(a)28.8 km/h
(b)0.48 km/h
(c)2.22 km/h
(d)28 800 km/h
2.Work out the value of 4p² − 3 when p = 2.5
(a)97
(b)7
(c)22
(d)1
3.Two numbers are in the ratio 3 : 7. Their sum is 60. Work out the positive difference between the two numbers.
(a)80
(b)60
(c)4
(d)24
4.Triangle ABC is isosceles, with AB = AC. Angle B = 70°. Which reason correctly explains why angle C = 70°?
(a)vertically opposite angles are equal
(b)corresponding angles are equal
(c)base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal
(d)angles in a triangle add up to 180°
5.Spinner P and Spinner Q are each fair and have 5 equal sections, numbered 1 to 5. Both spinners are spun once, and every outcome is listed as an ordered pair, Spinner P then Spinner Q, such as (2, 4). Work out how many of the outcomes have the score on Spinner P less than the score on Spinner Q.
(a)4
(b)10
(c)15
(d)20
6.Isla wants to find out the favourite television programme of the pupils at her school. She asks only her own close group of friends. Write down what is wrong with her sample.
(a)It is fine, as everyone she asked goes to her school
(b)It is too small, though it was picked at random
(c)It is not representative, as she picked her own friends
(d)It is too large, so she gets more replies than she needs
7.Write '3.2 million' as a number in figures.
(a)320,000
(b)3,002,000
(c)32,000,000
(d)3,200,000
8.Make x the subject of the formula y = 4x − 3.
y = 4x − 3
(a)x = 4(y + 3)
(b)x = y/4 + 3
(c)x = (y − 3)/4
(d)x = (y + 3)/4
9.£3000 is invested in a savings account that pays 4% compound interest each year. Work out the value of the investment after 2 years.
(a)£3244.80
(b)£3120.00
(c)£244.80
(d)£3240.00
10.Work out the distance between the point (0, 0) and the point (5, 12).
(a)12
(b)13
(c)17
(d)7
11.The probability that a spinner lands on blue is 2/5. Write this probability as a percentage.
(a)20%
(b)40%
(c)2%
(d)4%
12.Work out 36 ÷ (2 × 3)
(a)216
(b)54
(c)6
(d)18
13.Which expression is equivalent to 0.5(4x + 6) − x?
(a)3x + 3
(b)2x + 3
(c)x + 3
(d)x + 6
14.The price of a jacket increases by 50% and then decreases by 50%. Describe the overall change from the original price.
(a)no change
(b)an increase of 25%
(c)a decrease of 25%
(d)a decrease of 50%
15.P is the point (3, 4) and Q is the point (6, 0). Work out the distance of each point from the origin, and write down which point is closer to the origin.
(a)Q, since OQ = 5 and OP = 6
(b)P, since OP = 5 and OQ = 6
(c)P, since OP = 6 and OQ = 5
(d)They are equally distant from the origin
16.A café orders 340 bread rolls at 24p each and 85 cakes at £1.35 each. Work out the total cost of the order.
(a)£114.75
(b)£81.60
(c)£196.35
(d)£122.91
17.Work out the coordinates of the point where the graph of y = 2x − 6 crosses the x-axis.
y = 2x − 6
(a)(−3, 0)
(b)(6, 0)
(c)(0, −6)
(d)(3, 0)
18.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.
(a)The plumber charges £20 for each extra hour worked
(b)The plumber charges £20 in total, however long the job takes
(c)The plumber charges £45 for each extra hour worked
(d)The plumber charges £40 for each extra hour worked
19.The highest common factor of two numbers is 4 and their lowest common multiple is 60. One of the numbers is 20. Work out the other number.
(a)12
(b)240
(c)16
(d)15
20.Two mathematically similar rectangles have widths 5 cm and 10 cm. The perimeter of the smaller rectangle is 18 cm. Work out the perimeter of the larger rectangle.
(a)72 cm
(b)9 cm
(c)36 cm
(d)23 cm

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.