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

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GCSE Higher sample Paper 1 (non-calculator)

Maths · GCSE Higher · Paper 1 · Non-calculator · 20 questions

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1.A photography studio offers 4 backdrops and 3 outfits for a portrait session. The plain grey backdrop, one of the 4 backdrops, cannot be used with the formal suit outfit, one of the 3 outfits. Work out how many different backdrop-and-outfit combinations are possible.
(a)10
(b)8
(c)11
(d)12
2.The diagram shows the graph of $y = x^{2} - x - 2$ , together with the horizontal line $y = 3$ . Use the graphs to estimate, to 1 decimal place, the two solutions of $x^{2} - x - 2 = 3$ .
(a)x = −1.8 and x = 2.8
(b)x = −3.0 and x = 4.0
(c)x = 1.8 and x = 2.8
(d)x = −1.0 and x = 2.0
3.Two mathematically similar triangular flags have areas in the ratio 4 : 25. The height of the smaller flag is 6 cm. Work out the height of the larger flag.
(a)15 cm
(b)27 cm
(c)37.5 cm
(d)2.4 cm
4.A triangular flag has a base of 40 cm and a perpendicular height of 25 cm. Work out its area.
(a)65 cm²
(b)1,000 cm²
(c)500 cm²
(d)2,000 cm²
5.In a year group of 60 pupils, 25 play football, 18 play tennis and 8 play both football and tennis. A pupil who plays football or tennis or both is picked at random. Work out the probability that this pupil plays both sports.
(a)8/43
(b)8/35
(c)8/25
(d)2/15
6.Two classes sat the same test. The 30 pupils in Class A had a mean mark of 72. The 20 pupils in Class B had a mean mark of 82. Work out the mean mark of all 50 pupils.
(a)3800 marks
(b)78 marks
(c)76 marks
(d)77 marks
7.Find the missing number: ▢ ÷ 15 = 24
(a)360
(b)39
(c)9
(d)1.6
8.The graph of y = mx + 6 passes through the point (−2, 0). Work out the value of m.
(a)−3
(b)−2
(c)3
(d)6
9.Priya is paid £58.50 for working 7.5 hours on a Saturday. Work out her rate of pay, in £ per hour.
(a)£7.80
(b)£438.75
(c)£51.00
(d)£0.13
10.A, B and C are points on a circle with centre O. B is on the minor arc AC. Angle ABC = 100°. Work out the size of the non-reflex angle AOC.
(a)200°
(b)160°
(c)50°
(d)80°
11.Two ordinary fair dice are rolled, one after the other. Work out the probability that the first dice shows a 6 and the second dice shows an even number.
(a)1/12
(b)1/36
(c)1/6
(d)1/2
12.A necklace is made from red beads and gold beads in the ratio 7 : 3. What fraction of the beads are gold?
(a)3/7
(b)7/3
(c)7/10
(d)3/10
13.Solve the simultaneous equations 3x + 2y = 16 and x + y = 7. Work out the value of y.
(a)2
(b)5
(c)9
(d)−5
14.The temperature of a chemical reaction, in °C, is modelled by T = 80 − 6t + 0.5t², where t is the time in minutes after the reaction starts. Which of these four statements about the reaction between t = 2 and t = 6 minutes is correct?
(a)Instant rate at t = 6 is −2°C/min
(b)Instant rate at t = 2 is −2°C/min
(c)Average rate, t = 2 to 6, is −2°C/min
(d)Temperature falls 2°C in total
15.Triangles ABE and CDE share the vertex E, where lines AC and BD cross at E. AE equals CE, and BE equals DE. Angle AEB and angle CED are formed as vertically opposite angles where the lines cross. Which condition proves that triangle ABE is congruent to triangle CDE?
(a)ASA, vertically opposite angle at E
(b)Cannot prove — no angle measured
(c)SSS, three equal side pairs
(d)SAS, vertically opposite angle included
16.By completing the square, find the turning point of the curve y = x² − 4x + 9.
y = x² − 4x + 9
(a)x = 4, y = −7
(b)x = 2, y = −5
(c)x = 2, y = 5
(d)x = −2, y = 5
17.Two numbers a and b are in the ratio a : b = 3 : 4. Given that a = 15, work out the value of b.
(a)60
(b)16
(c)11.25
(d)20
18.ABCD is a cyclic quadrilateral, with its vertices in that order around the circle. Angle DAB = 108°. Work out the size of angle BCD.
(a)90°
(b)252°
(c)72°
(d)108°
19.The simultaneous equations kx + 2y = 4 and 3x + y = 5 have no solution. Work out the value of k.
(a)k = −6
(b)k = 6
(c)k = 2/3
(d)k = 3
20.Which of these is a factor of 15x + 20?
(a)5
(b)3
(c)4
(d)10

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.