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
GCSE Higher sample Paper 1 (non-calculator)
MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk
- 1.Simplify x⁶ ÷ x²
- 2.Describe the single transformation that maps the graph of y = x² onto the graph of y = x² + 3.y = x²y = x² + 3
- 3.A tank is filled at a rate of 3 litres every 2 minutes. Given that 1 litre = 1000 cm³, work out the flow rate in cm³ per minute.
- 4.A locus consists of all the points that are the same perpendicular distance from two parallel lines 6 cm apart. Describe this locus.
- 5.A bag contains beads that are exactly one of red, white or black. The probability of taking a red bead is 3/10 and the probability of taking a white bead is 1/4. Work out the probability of taking a bead that is red or white.
- 6.The times, t minutes, of 80 journeys are summarised by these cumulative frequencies: t < 10, 8 journeys; t < 20, 28 journeys; t < 30, 52 journeys; t < 40, 72 journeys; t < 50, 80 journeys. Estimate the interquartile range.
- 7.Work out 36 ÷ (2 × 3)
- 8.The graph of y = 2x² + 6x − 1 is translated by the vector (−2, 0). Work out the equation of the image, giving your answer in the form y = 2x² + bx + c.y = 2x² + 6x − 1y = 2x²
- 9.In a choir of 30 singers, 40% are altos and the rest are sopranos. Write the number of sopranos as a fraction of the number of altos. Give your answer in its simplest form.
- 10.The sum of the interior angles of a polygon is 1980°. Work out the number of sides of the polygon.
- 11.In a trial, a drawing pin was dropped 80 times and landed point-up 52 times. Assuming this relative frequency continues, work out how many times you would expect it to land point-up in 300 drops.
- 12.Work out (−3) × 4 + 2 × (−5)
- 13.A graph passes through the point (0, 1). As x increases through positive values, the graph rises more and more steeply, and as x decreases through negative values, the graph gets closer and closer to the x-axis without ever reaching it. Which of these could be the equation of the graph?
- 14.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.
- 15.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.
- 16.A circle has centre (0, 0) and equation x² + y² = 100. Work out which one of these points lies on the circle.
- 17.A water tank is a cuboid measuring 30 cm × 20 cm × 10 cm. The tank is full of water. Work out how many litres of water it holds.
- 18.A ladder rests against a wall, making an angle of 60° with the ground. The ladder is 2 m long. Using the exact value of sin 60°, work out how high up the wall the ladder reaches, giving your answer in centimetres.
- 19.The graph of y = mx + 6 passes through the point (−2, 0). Work out the value of m.
- 20.A circle has centre (0, 0) and passes through the point (7, 24). Work out the equation of the circle.
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.