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.Work out the value of $1 0^{- 3}$ .
(a)1000
(b)−1000
(c)0.001
(d)−0.001
2.Tom is asked to classify the statement 5(2x − 3) = 10x − 15. Which statement about it is correct?
(a)An equation, since it has an equals sign and unknown x.
(b)An identity, since both sides are equal for every x.
(c)A formula, since it relates two different quantities.
(d)An inequality, since the sides are equal sometimes.
3.A charity collects donations from adults and children in the ratio 5:2. Altogether, £238 is collected. Work out how much more the adults donate than the children.
(a)£102
(b)£68
(c)£136
(d)£170
4.A, B, C and D are points on a circle with centre O, in that order around the circle. B lies on the major arc AC, and angle AOC = 152°. In triangle ACD, angle ACD = 30°. Work out the size of angle DAC.
(a)46°
(b)74°
(c)76°
(d)122°
5.A box contains counters that are silver, bronze or copper only. The probability that a counter taken at random is silver is 1/2 and the probability that it is bronze is 1/8. The box contains 64 counters in total. Work out the number of copper counters.
(a)8
(b)40
(c)24
(d)32
6.A pictogram shows the number of cars sold by a garage in Plymouth each month, where each whole car symbol represents 8 cars sold and a half symbol represents 4 cars. March shows 3 whole symbols and one half symbol. Work out how many cars were sold in March.
(a)32
(b)3.5
(c)28
(d)24
7.Write these three numbers in order of size, starting with the smallest: 0.7, 3/4, 0.72
(a)3/4, 0.72, 0.7
(b)3/4, 0.7, 0.72
(c)0.7, 0.72, 3/4
(d)0.72, 3/4, 0.7
8.Write down the first four terms of the sequence with nth term 6n − 5.
(a)0, 6, 12, 18
(b)6, 12, 18, 24
(c)1, 7, 13, 19
(d)5, 11, 17, 23
9.A spring's extension is directly proportional to the force applied to it. A force of 5 N produces an extension of 12 mm. Work out the extension produced by a force of 20 N.
(a)32 mm
(b)3 mm
(c)48 mm
(d)36 mm
10.A wooden cube has edges of length 4 cm. Work out the total surface area of the cube.
(a)96 cm²
(b)24 cm²
(c)16 cm²
(d)64 cm³
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 car manufacturer offers a car in 6 colours and 4 trim levels. Two colour-and-trim combinations are not available: red with sport trim, and white with sport trim. Work out how many different colour-and-trim combinations are available.
(a)18
(b)23
(c)22
(d)24
13.A cycle route is 84 km long. Freya sets off along it at a steady 14 km/h. Write down the function for the distance y, in kilometres, that is still to be cycled after x hours.
(a)y = 84 + 14x
(b)y = 84 − 14x
(c)y = 14 − 84x
(d)y = 14x − 84
14.Order these three values from smallest to largest: 3/8, 0.43, 41%.
(a)3/8, 41%, 0.43
(b)0.43, 41%, 3/8
(c)3/8, 0.43, 41%
(d)41%, 0.43, 3/8
15.A triangular prism has a cross-section that is a triangle with a base of 3.5 cm and a perpendicular height of 4 cm. The prism is 10 cm long. Work out the volume of the prism.
(a)7 cm³
(b)70 cm³
(c)35 cm³
(d)140 cm³
16.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
17.A smoothie recipe combines 350 cm³ of mango juice with 650 cm³ of orange juice. Work out the total volume of the smoothie in litres.
(a)0.35 litres
(b)1.00 litres
(c)0.65 litres
(d)1000.00 litres
18.A circular table mat has diameter 20 cm. Yasmin has a 70 cm length of ribbon and sews it around the edge of the mat with no overlap. Using π = 3.14, work out how much ribbon is left over after going around the mat once.
(a)7.2 cm
(b)50 cm
(c)20 cm
(d)62.8 cm
19.Ben writes n + 4 ≤ 9. Which statement describes what Ben has written? Give a reason for your answer.
(a)An equation, because solving it gives the value of n
(b)An identity, because it is true for many values of n
(c)A formula, because it works out n from 9
(d)An inequality, because ≤ compares the two sides
20.A population of bacteria doubles every 3 hours. It starts at 800. Work out the population after 9 hours.
(a)409,600
(b)8
(c)6,400
(d)3,200

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.