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%.

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GCSE Higher sample Paper 1 (non-calculator)

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

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.Which of these statements about −0.7 and −0.25 is true?
(a)−0.7 = −0.25
(b)−0.7 < −0.25
(c)−0.7 ≥ −0.25
(d)−0.7 > −0.25
2.A speed-time graph shows a constant speed of 15 m/s for 20 seconds. Work out the distance travelled, using the area under the graph.
(a)7.5 m
(b)1.33 m
(c)35 m
(d)300 m
3.Work out the value of x when 4/x = 2/5.
(a)10
(b)2.5
(c)20
(d)8
4.Point P has coordinates (1, 3). P is reflected in the line x = 4, then the image is reflected in the line y = 1, and then that image is translated by the vector (2, −3). Work out the coordinates of the final image of P.
(a)(9, 2)
(b)(7, −1)
(c)(1, −6)
(d)(9, −4)
5.A drawer contains 4 red socks and 2 blue socks. Two socks are taken out at random, one after the other, without the first being put back. Work out the probability that both socks are the same colour.
(a)7/18
(b)2/5
(c)5/9
(d)7/15
6.Four pairs of variables are listed below. Write down the pair that you would expect to show no correlation.
(a)Outdoor temperature and woolly hats sold in a day
(b)A person's shoe size and their favourite colour
(c)Distance a car travels and the fuel it uses
(d)Hours of revision a pupil does and their score
7.n is a whole number and 2 ≤ n < 6. Write down all the possible values of n.
(a)2, 3, 4, 5
(b)3, 4, 5
(c)1, 2, 3, 4, 5
(d)2, 3, 4, 5, 6
8.Work out the value of 3a − 2b when a = 5 and b = 4
(a)52
(b)−7
(c)23
(d)7
9.The time taken for a train journey is inversely proportional to the average speed of the train. At an average speed of 60 km/h the journey takes 2 hours. Work out the time taken at an average speed of 40 km/h.
(a)2 hours
(b)1.5 hours
(c)3 hours
(d)1 hour 20 minutes
10.A builder props a straight plank against a vertical wall to reach a window ledge. The foot of the plank is 2.1 m from the base of the wall, and the plank is 3.5 m long. Work out how high up the wall the plank reaches.
(a)4.2 m
(b)2.8 m
(c)1.4 m
(d)7.84 m
11.A bag contains 4 red sweets and 6 yellow sweets. Two sweets are taken at random, one after the other, and are not put back. The first sweet taken is red. Work out the probability that the second sweet taken is also red.
(a)4/9
(b)1/3
(c)3/10
(d)2/5
12.2/3 of an amount of money is £30. Work out the amount.
(a)£15
(b)£45
(c)£20
(d)£90
13.A straight line passes through the points (1, 3) and (2, 5). Work out the equation of the line.
(a)y = x + 2
(b)y = 2x − 1
(c)y = 2x + 1
(d)y = 2x + 3
14.The number of tickets a group can afford is inversely proportional to the price per ticket. At £4 per ticket, the group can afford 12 tickets. Work out how many tickets the group can afford at £6 per ticket.
(a)6
(b)18
(c)12
(d)8
15.A rotation of 200° clockwise about the origin is applied, and the image is then rotated 250° anticlockwise about the origin. Work out the single angle of rotation, measured clockwise and between 0° and 360°, that has the same overall effect as the two rotations combined.
(a)310°
(b)130°
(c)50°
(d)90°
16.The equation x² = 5x − 3 is to be solved using iteration. Work out which of these iterative formulas comes from a correct rearrangement of the equation.
(a)xₙ₊₁ = 5(xₙ² + 3)
(b)xₙ₊₁ = (xₙ² + 3) ÷ 5
(c)xₙ₊₁ = (xₙ + 3) ÷ 5
(d)xₙ₊₁ = (xₙ² − 3) ÷ 5
17.The total cost, in pounds, of manufacturing a batch of components is plotted against the number of components produced. A tangent to this graph at a particular point has gradient 3.60. What does the value 3.60 represent?
(a)3.60% of the cost per component
(b)£3.60 total cost
(c)3.60 components per pound
(d)£3.60 per component
18.A line passes through the points (1, 2) and (3, 6). The line is reflected in the x-axis, and the image is then translated by the vector (2, 0). Work out the gradient of the image line after both transformations.
(a)1/2
(b)−2
(c)2
(d)−1/2
19.Make x the subject of the formula y = 2x − 9.
y = 2x − 9
(a)x = (y + 9) / 2
(b)x = (y − 9) / 2
(c)x = 2(y + 9)
(d)x = y / 2 + 9
20.Which of these is a formula, rather than an expression, an equation, or an identity?
(a)lwh
(b)lwh = 60
(c)2(l + w) ≡ 2l + 2w
(d)V = lwh

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.