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

VersionsA only A + B A + B + Csame questions, different order

AnswersQuestions only With answer key Key only

New sheet

GCSE Higher sample Paper 1 (non-calculator)

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

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.A square tile has an area of 72 cm². Work out the exact perimeter of the tile, giving your answer in the form k√2 cm.
(a)144√2
(b)24√2
(c)6√2
(d)12√2
2.The 2nd term of a geometric sequence is 6 and the 4th term is 24. Given that all the terms of the sequence are positive, work out the common ratio.
(a)−2
(b)18
(c)2
(d)4
3.Two mathematically similar circles have radii 4 cm and 20 cm. Write the ratio of the area of the smaller circle to the area of the larger circle in its simplest form.
(a)25 : 1
(b)1 : 5
(c)1 : 25
(d)1 : 10
4.Point Q has coordinates (3, 5). It is translated by the vector (1, −2), and the image is then enlarged by scale factor 3, centre the origin. Work out the coordinates of the final image of Q.
(a)(9, 15)
(b)(12, 9)
(c)(6, 21)
(d)(10, 13)
5.Grace rolls two ordinary fair dice at the same time and works out the total of the two scores. Work out the probability that the total is greater than 10.
(a)33/36
(b)4/36
(c)2/36
(d)3/36
6.A study found that people who drink more coffee tend to concentrate better at work. A coffee company says that this shows that drinking coffee improves concentration. Give the reason why this conclusion cannot be drawn.
(a)The conclusion is safe because the correlation is positive
(b)The conclusion is wrong because the correlation is negative
(c)The data show a link only; a third factor may affect both
(d)The two quantities are not linked, so nothing can be said
7.Work out (−2/5) × (−10/3). Give your answer as a fraction in its simplest form.
(a)−56/15
(b)3/25
(c)−4/3
(d)4/3
8.Solve (2x + 1)/3 = 5
(a)7
(b)14
(c)8
(d)2
9.A straight-line graph passes through the origin and the point (4, 10). The line represents y = kx. Write down the ratio x : y in its simplest form.
(a)2 : 10
(b)4 : 5
(c)2 : 5
(d)5 : 2
10.A ferris wheel's circular frame has centre O. A support strut runs from O to a point A on the rim, and a second strut runs from O to point B on the rim, with angle AOB = 76°. A cabin is mounted at point C on the major arc AB, and D is a separate point on the minor arc AB. Work out the difference between angle ACB and angle ADB.
(a)104°
(b)38°
(c)180°
(d)142°
11.At a sports centre, 45% of the members are aged under 18. 60% of the members aged under 18 swim each week. 20% of the members aged 18 or over swim each week. Work out the percentage of all the members who swim each week.
(a)40%
(b)38%
(c)80%
(d)42%
12.Write 200 as a product of its prime factors, using index notation.
(a)2 × 5³
(b)2³ × 5
(c)2² × 5³
(d)2³ × 5²
13.A number machine multiplies its input by 3 and then adds 7. The output is 1. Work out the input.
(a)2
(b)−18
(c)−6
(d)−2
14.The value of a delivery van, in £, is plotted against its age, in years, since it was bought. At age 2 years, the gradient of the tangent to the graph is −950. What does this tell you about the van at age 2 years?
(a)Falling at 950% per year
(b)Rising at £950 per year
(c)Falling at £950 per year
(d)Falls by £950 over the next year
15.A pop-up canopy has two sloping supports that meet at the top. Each support makes an angle of 30° with the ground and is 6 m long. Using the exact value of cos 30°, work out the total width of the canopy's base.
(a)3√3 m
(b)6√3 m
(c)12 m
(d)6 m
16.To solve 6x − 4 = 2x + 20, Yusuf's first step is to subtract 2x from both sides. Work out what equation this gives.
(a)4x = 20
(b)4x − 4 = 20
(c)4x − 4 = 2x + 20
(d)8x − 4 = 20
17.A charity shop and a school share collection-box money in the ratio 5 : 8. The charity shop receives £47.50. Work out how much the school receives.
(a)£29.69
(b)£76.00
(c)£57.00
(d)£123.50
18.A solid pyramid has a square base of side 6 cm. Its apex is directly above the centre of the base, at a vertical height of 8 cm. Work out the volume of the pyramid.
(a)16 cm³
(b)96 cm³
(c)144 cm³
(d)288 cm³
19.Priya has a budget of £50 for a school trip. The coach costs £14 and each student ticket costs £4. Using the inequality 14 + 4s ≤ 50, work out the greatest number of student tickets, s, she can buy.
(a)16
(b)9
(c)8
(d)12
20.Six years ago Harry was three times as old as his brother Leo. Harry is now 24 years old. Work out Leo's age now.
(a)12
(b)8
(c)36
(d)6

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.