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

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1.Ava measures a metal rod and records its length as 15 cm, correct to the nearest centimetre. Ben measures the same rod and records its length as 14.8 cm, correct to the nearest 0.1 cm. Decide whether both records can be correct, and give a reason for your answer.
(a)No, because 14.8 cm is not the same length as 15 cm
(b)Yes, because 14.8 cm rounds to 15 cm to the nearest cm
(c)No, because 14.8 cm rounds to 14 cm to the nearest cm
(d)Yes, because 14.8 cm rounds to 15.0 cm to 1 decimal place
2.The graph of y = f(x) has roots at x = −1 and x = 4, and crosses the y-axis at (0, −8). Which statement about the graph of y = f(x − 3) is correct?
(a)x = 2, x = 7; y-intercept cannot be found here
(b)x = 2, x = 7; y-intercept stays at (0, −8)
(c)x = −4, x = 1; y-intercept stays at (0, −8)
(d)x = −4, x = 1; y-intercept cannot be found here
3.The ratio of y to x is always 3 : 4. Write down which equation could represent this relationship.
(a)y = 3x + 4
(b)y = 3/(4x)
(c)y = 4x/3
(d)y = 3x/4
4.A ship's radio can be heard up to 30 km from the ship. A lighthouse's light can be seen up to 20 km from the lighthouse. The ship and the lighthouse are 40 km apart along the coast. Describe the region where BOTH the radio can be heard AND the light can be seen.
(a)the lens-shaped region where the two circles overlap
(b)the whole smaller circle, since it fits inside the larger one
(c)no overlap — 30 km and 20 km don't add to 40 km
(d)a straight strip, exactly halfway between the two
5.A fair coin is flipped and a fair five-sided spinner, labelled 1 to 5, is spun. All the outcomes are listed as pairs, such as (H, 3). Work out the probability that the outcome is a tail and an odd number.
(a)1/2
(b)3/5
(c)1/10
(d)3/10
6.The delivery times, in minutes, of 15 parcels are given in order: 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 34. Work out the interquartile range of these times.
(a)−15
(b)29
(c)15
(d)8
7.Write down the reciprocal of 0.2
(a)−0.2
(b)0.8
(c)5
(d)0.5
8.A candidate solves the simultaneous equations y = x − 2 and y = x² − 4x + 2 by substitution. They write: "x − 2 = x² − 4x + 2, so x² − 3x + 4 = 0." Which of these is a correct comment on the candidate's working?
y = x − 2y = x² − 4x + 2
(a)Right — x² − 3x + 4 = 0 is correct.
(b)Right — subtracting is the same as adding.
(c)Wrong — the correct equation is x² − 5x + 4 = 0.
(d)Wrong — it should be x² − 5x − 4 = 0.
9.y is inversely proportional to x, so y = k ÷ x. When x = 5, the value of y is 8. Work out the value of k.
(a)3
(b)1.6
(c)13
(d)40
10.From an external point P, two tangents PA and PB touch a circle with centre O at the points A and B. Angle APB = 46°. C is a point on the major arc AB, the arc on the opposite side of AB from P. Work out the size of angle ACB.
(a)67°
(b)134°
(c)92°
(d)23°
11.The probability that it rains on a given morning is 0.3. If it rains, the probability that Priya's bus is late is 0.8. If it does not rain, the probability that her bus is late is 0.1. Work out the probability that her bus is late.
(a)0.27
(b)0.24
(c)0.31
(d)0.9
12.Work out (−2)² − 3
(a)−7
(b)1
(c)25
(d)−1
13.Solve the inequality 5x − 3 > 2x + 9.
(a)x > 4
(b)x > 2
(c)x < 4
(d)x > 36
14.The ratio of cats to dogs in a shelter is 3:4. There are 18 cats. Work out the total number of animals in the shelter.
(a)42
(b)126
(c)25
(d)24
15.A solid is built from centimetre cubes standing on a table. Seen from the front, the left-hand column is 2 cubes high, the middle column is 2 cubes high and the right-hand column is 1 cube high. Work out how many squares make up the front elevation.
(a)3
(b)6
(c)5
(d)4
16.The graph of y = f(x) has a root (an x-intercept) at x = 5. Work out the x-coordinate of the corresponding root on the graph of y = f(x + 2).
(a)3
(b)2
(c)5
(d)7
17.A photo is enlarged so that its new width is 1.4 times its original width. Write the multiplier that would scale the new width back down to the original width, as a fraction in its simplest form.
(a)3/5
(b)5/7
(c)5/2
(d)7/5
18.A ship's radar shows a lighthouse at the point (12, −4) on a grid measured in nautical miles. The ship is at (2, 5). The ship sails along the vector that takes it directly to the lighthouse, then sails along that same vector again. Work out the ship's final position.
(a)(−18, 23)
(b)(22, −13)
(c)(2, 5)
(d)(12, −4)
19.A number, w, satisfies the statement "three times w, minus 5, is at least 16". Which of these is the correct inequality for w?
(a)3(w − 5) ≥ 16
(b)3w − 5 ≥ 16
(c)3w − 5 > 16
(d)3w − 5 ≤ 16
20.The formula for the area of a trapezium is A = (a + b)h / 2, where a and b are the parallel side lengths and h is the height. Make h the subject of the formula.
(a)h = 2A / a + b
(b)h = (a + b) / (2A)
(c)h = A / (a + b)
(d)h = 2A / (a + b)

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.