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

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.The two shorter sides of a right-angled triangle are √12 cm and √24 cm. Work out the exact length of the hypotenuse.
(a)2√3 + 2√6
(b)12√2
(c)36
(d)6
2.For the graph of y = 1/x, where x cannot be zero, which of these statements is correct?
(a)The graph has only one branch, in quadrant 1
(b)The graph passes through the origin, (0, 0)
(c)The graph crosses the y-axis but never the x-axis
(d)The graph never crosses either axis
3.A cyclist rides at an average speed of 24 km/h for 1 hour 15 minutes. Work out the distance travelled, in km.
(a)27.6 km
(b)1800 km
(c)30 km
(d)19.2 km
4.A furniture catalogue drawing uses a scale of 1 cm to 1.5 m. A sofa in the drawing is measured as 7 cm long. What is the real length of the sofa, in metres?
(a)8.5
(b)10.5
(c)3.5
(d)14
5.At a gym, 70 members are asked whether they use the pool or the sauna. 38 use the pool, 30 use the sauna, and 12 use neither. Work out n(P ∩ S), the number of members who use both the pool and the sauna.
(a)12
(b)10
(c)28
(d)68
6.The 120 pupils in Year 11 at a school sat a maths test. Their marks m are grouped into classes of unequal width: 0 ≤ m < 40, 12 pupils; 40 ≤ m < 60, 24 pupils; 60 ≤ m < 70, 36 pupils; 70 ≤ m ≤ 100, 48 pupils. A histogram is drawn for these data. Work out the frequency density of the class 40 ≤ m < 60.
(a)2.4 pupils per mark
(b)24 pupils per mark
(c)0.2 pupils per mark
(d)1.2 pupils per mark
7.A cyclist travels 40 km, correct to the nearest 10 km, in a time of 3 hours, correct to the nearest hour. Work out the maximum possible average speed, in km/h.
(a)14
(b)10
(c)18
(d)12.9
8.The point (−4, 7) is moved 4 units to the right and 9 units down. Write down the coordinates of the point it reaches.
(a)(0, 16)
(b)(0, −2)
(c)(−8, −2)
(d)(5, 3)
9.300 g of a salt solution of concentration 10% is poured into 200 g of a salt solution of concentration 25%. Work out the concentration of salt in the mixture.
(a)17.5%
(b)26.7%
(c)16%
(d)19%
10.A, B and C are points on a circle with centre O, and AC is a diameter of the circle. Work out the size of angle ABC.
(a)90°
(b)45°
(c)It cannot be worked out without knowing the radius
(d)180°
11.A leisure centre has 150 members. 80 of the members are male and the rest are female. Every member uses either the pool or the gym, but not both. 66 members use the pool, and 35 of those pool users are male. Work out how many female members use the gym.
(a)84
(b)39
(c)45
(d)31
12.A three-digit code is made using the digits 1, 2 and 3, and each digit may be used more than once. Work out how many different three-digit codes can be made.
(a)9
(b)3
(c)27
(d)6
13.A water butt holds 200 litres and is being drained at a steady 8 litres per minute. Write down the function for the amount of water y, in litres, left after x minutes.
(a)y = 200x − 8
(b)y = −8x − 200
(c)y = 200 − 8x
(d)y = 8x + 200
14.There are 2500 electric cars registered in a town. The number is predicted to increase by 6% each year. Work out the predicted number of electric cars after 3 years, to the nearest whole number.
(a)2978
(b)3156
(c)2809
(d)2950
15.Triangle ABC has a right angle at B, hypotenuse AC = 13 cm and AB = 5 cm. Triangle DEF has a right angle at E, hypotenuse DF = 13 cm and DE = 5 cm. Which condition proves the two triangles are congruent?
(a)SSS - three sides equal
(b)RHS - right angle, hypotenuse and one side equal
(c)ASA - two angles and the included side equal
(d)SAS - two sides and the included angle equal
16.The curve y = x² − 6 and the line y = 2x − 3 intersect at two points. Which pair of points is correct?
y = 2x − 3y = x² − 6
(a)(3, 9) and (−1, 1)
(b)(3, 3) and (−1, −5)
(c)(3, 3)
(d)(3, 3) and (1, −1)
17.y is directly proportional to √x. When x = 4, y = 8. Construct the equation connecting x and y, then work out the value of y when x = 9.
(a)18
(b)12
(c)36
(d)3
18.In quadrilateral WXYZ, which of the following correctly names the angle at vertex Y using standard notation?
(a)∠YZW
(b)∠WXY
(c)∠XYZ
(d)∠ZWX
19.Which expression means 'y squared, multiplied by 3'?
(a)3y²
(b)y³
(c)(3y)²
(d)3 + y²
20.p = 4. Work out the value of 2p³.
(a)512
(b)24
(c)64
(d)128

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.