Sample paper · GCSE Higher · grades 4–9
GCSE Higher sample Paper 1 (non-calculator)
The real Paper 1 is 1.5 hour 30 minutes and 80 marks, non-calculator, and all three papers carry equal weight. This sample is 20 original questions in the same content proportions as the Higher qualification — number 15%, algebra 30%, ratio, proportion and rates of change 20%, geometry and measures 20%, probability 7.5%, statistics 7.5% — with no calculator-only items. AO1 / AO2 / AO3 at this tier: 40% / 30% / 30%.
Non-calculatorGCSE Higher
GCSE Higher sample Paper 1 (non-calculator)
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- 1.Work out 6² − 4².
- 2.The curve y = x² − 3x. Use the chord between x = 1 and x = 4 to estimate the gradient of the curve at x = 2.5.y = x² − 3x
- 3.A metal alloy is made from copper and tin in the ratio 9:1. Write the mass of tin as a fraction of the mass of copper, in its simplest form.
- 4.Point E is at (4, 2). It is rotated 180° about the point (1, 1). Work out the coordinates of the image of point E.
- 5.In a survey, 120 adults were asked whether they have a driving licence. 70 of the adults are women and 50 are men. 45 of the women and 35 of the men have a driving licence. One of the adults who has a driving licence is picked at random. Work out the probability that this adult is a man.
- 6.A gym draws a histogram of the times, t minutes, that its members spend on one machine. The bar for 0 ≤ t < 10 has a frequency density of 1.8 per minute, the bar for 10 ≤ t < 25 has a frequency density of 3.2 per minute, and the bar for 25 ≤ t < 55 has a frequency density of 0.9 per minute. Members who spend 10 minutes or more on the machine pay an extra charge. Work out the number of members who pay the extra charge.
- 7.Work out the exact value of √(2² + 3²)
- 8.The first five terms of a quadratic sequence are 2, 5, 10, 17, 26. Work out the next term in the sequence.
- 9.£5000 is invested in an account paying 4% compound interest each year. Work out the total interest earned after 3 years.
- 10.To prove that the angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference, a student draws radii OA and OC, where A and C are points on the circle and O is the centre. The student's first step is: 'Since OA = OC, both being radii of the circle, triangle OAC is isosceles, so angle OAC = angle OCA.' Is this first step correct?
- 11.A biased six-sided dice is rolled once. The probability that it lands on 6 is 0.25. The other five scores are all equally likely. Work out the probability that it lands on 3.
- 12.3/5 of the students in a year group walk to school. 90 students walk to school. Work out the total number of students in the year group.
- 13.x = 5. Work out the value of 3x² − 4.
- 14.Two cars leave the same point at the same time and travel in opposite directions. One travels at 80 km/h and the other at 60 km/h. Work out how long it takes until the cars are 350 km apart.
- 15.A cylinder has a radius of 5 cm. Its volume is 471 cm³. Using π = 3.14, work out the height of the cylinder.
- 16.The point (9, 40) lies on the circle x² + y² = 1681, which has centre (0, 0). Work out the equation of the tangent to the circle at (9, 40), giving your answer in the form ax + by = c.
- 17.A 750 g box of cereal costs £2.70. A 500 g box of the same cereal costs £1.95. Work out which box is better value, and its cost per 100 g.
- 18.A roof truss is shaped like an isosceles triangle resting on a horizontal ceiling joist. The truss's sloping edges are equal in length, and the angle at its apex is 40°. The ceiling joist continues in a straight line beyond the foot of the truss. Work out the angle between the truss's sloping edge and the extended joist, on the outside of the truss.
- 19.A zip-line runs from a platform 25 m high to a landing point 5 m high, over a horizontal distance of 40 m. Work out the gradient of the zip-line.
- 20.The curve y = −x² + 6x − 5 has a maximum point. Use completing the square to find its coordinates.y = −x² + 6x − 5
How the 20 questions are shared out
- Number — 3 questions (15% of the qualification)
- Algebra — 6 questions (30% of the qualification)
- Ratio, proportion and rates of change — 4 questions (20% of the qualification)
- Geometry and measures — 4 questions (20% 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.