Sample paper · GCSE Higher · grades 4–9
GCSE Higher sample Paper 2 (calculator)
The real Paper 2 is 1.5 hour 30 minutes and 80 marks, 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 a calculator allowed. AO1 / AO2 / AO3 at this tier: 40% / 30% / 30%.
CalculatorGCSE Higher
GCSE Higher sample Paper 2 (calculator)
MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk
- 1.Write these three numbers in order, starting with the smallest: 3/5, 0.55, 58%
- 2.Ben writes n + 4 ≤ 9. Which statement describes what Ben has written? Give a reason for your answer.
- 3.Cheng is paid an hourly rate that is proportional to the number of hours she works. She earns £52.50 for 7 hours. Work out how much she earns for 11 hours, assuming the same rate.
- 4.An enlargement has a scale factor of −2. Priti says the image must be a mirror image of the original shape. Is Priti correct?
- 5.Two fair six-sided dice are rolled and the two scores are added together. Given that at least one of the dice shows a 5, work out the probability that the total is 8.
- 6.The times, t minutes, taken by 80 people to travel to work are grouped like this: 0 ≤ t < 10, 6 people; 10 ≤ t < 20, 14 people; 20 ≤ t < 30, 25 people; 30 ≤ t < 40, 20 people; 40 ≤ t < 50, 15 people. Work out the cumulative frequency for t < 30.
- 7.Work out (−2)³ + (−3)² − (−4)
- 8.A fundraising chain letter starts with 3 people taking part in round 1. Each following round has 4 times as many people taking part as the round before. Work out the number of people taking part in round 4.
- 9.A stall sells bottles of juice. Two bottles cost £3.00, five bottles cost £7.50 and eight bottles cost £12.00. The cost, C pounds, is in a fixed ratio to the number of bottles, n. Write down a formula for C in terms of n.
- 10.Two hikers walk from a campsite A to a lookout B, a distance of 14 km on a bearing of 038°. From B they walk to a shelter C, a distance of 20 km on a bearing of 142°. Work out the direct distance from A to C. Give your answer to 1 decimal place.
- 11.Five raffle tickets numbered 1 to 5 are in a bag. Two tickets are drawn one after the other and the first is not put back. Work out the probability that ticket 1 is drawn first and ticket 2 is drawn second.
- 12.The number 72 can be written as 2³ × 3², and the number 108 can be written as 2² × 3³. Work out the highest common factor of 72 and 108.
- 13.The point (4, 2) lies on the circle x² + y² = 20. Work out the equation of the tangent to the circle at (4, 2).
- 14.The tangent to a curve at the point where x = 4 has equation y = 3x − 2. Work out the instantaneous rate of change of y with respect to x at x = 4.y = 3x − 2
- 15.A right-angled triangle has its two shorter sides equal to 8 cm and 15 cm. Work out the value of cos θ, where θ is the angle opposite the 8 cm side. Give your answer as a fraction.
- 16.A rope of length L metres is cut into 6 equal pieces, and 4 metres is then removed from one piece. Write an expression, in metres, for the length of that piece after the cut.
- 17.A model car is built at a scale of 1 : 20 compared with the real car. Work out the factor by which the surface area to be painted on the real car is bigger than the surface area of the model.
- 18.Which of these statements about solving a triangle is correct?
- 19.A number machine multiplies its input by 2 and then subtracts 5. Work out the output when the input is 6.
- 20.A straight line has equation y = 4 − 3x. Work out the gradient of the line.
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.