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

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

AnswersQuestions only With answer key Key only

New sheet

GCSE Higher sample Paper 2 (calculator)

Maths · GCSE Higher · Paper 2 · Calculator · 20 questions

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.Write these three numbers in order, starting with the smallest: 7/20, 0.3, 32%
(a)7/20, 32%, 0.3
(b)0.3, 32%, 7/20
(c)0.3, 7/20, 32%
(d)32%, 0.3, 7/20
2.Solve 4x − (2x − 6) = 18
(a)x = 6
(b)x = 3
(c)x = 12
(d)x = 24
3.The value of a rare coin increases by 12% each year. The coin is currently worth £270. Work out the value of the coin after 2 years, giving your answer to the nearest penny.
(a)£334.80
(b)£338.68
(c)£338.69
(d)£302.40
4.A shape is made by joining two rectangles edge to edge, with no overlap. One rectangle measures 12 cm by 4 cm and the other measures 4 cm by 8 cm. Work out the total area of the shape.
(a)28 cm
(b)48 cm²
(c)80 cm²
(d)32 cm²
5.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.
(a)1/25
(b)1/20
(c)2/5
(d)1/10
6.A histogram shows the times, t minutes, taken by 120 visitors to complete an escape room. The bar for 0 ≤ t < 10 has a frequency density of 5 visitors per minute, the bar for 10 ≤ t < 20 has a frequency density of 2 visitors per minute, the bar for 20 ≤ t < 40 has a frequency density of 1.5 visitors per minute, and the bar for 40 ≤ t < 60 has a frequency density of 1 visitor per minute. Work out which class contains the median time.
(a)The class with times from 0 up to 10
(b)The class with times from 20 up to 40
(c)The class with times from 10 up to 20
(d)The class with times from 40 up to 60
7.A digital timer truncates every time to 1 decimal place. It shows a swimmer's time for one length as 12.3 seconds. Using t for the swimmer's actual time in seconds, write down the error interval for t.
(a)12.25 ≤ t < 12.35
(b)12.3 < t ≤ 12.4
(c)12.3 ≤ t < 12.4
(d)12.3 ≤ t ≤ 12.4
8.The first four terms of a sequence are 2, 6, 10, 14. Priya says the nth term is 4n. Work out the correct expression for the nth term.
(a)2n + 2
(b)4n + 2
(c)4n − 2
(d)4n
9.A cyclist travels 18 km in 45 minutes. Work out the average speed, in km/h.
(a)40 km/h
(b)24 km/h
(c)13.5 km/h
(d)0.4 km/h
10.Triangle JKL and triangle MNP are similar, with JK ÷ MN = JL ÷ MP = 2. A student says triangle JKL must be congruent to triangle MNP. Write down why the student is wrong.
(a)The angles are not necessarily equal
(b)Similar triangles are never congruent
(c)The scale factor is 2, not 1, so the sides are not equal
(d)Congruent triangles must have a right angle
11.For two events A and B, P(A) = 0.6 and P(A and B) = 0.15. Work out P(B | A).
(a)0.15
(b)0.09
(c)0.25
(d)0.45
12.Write 0.005 in standard form.
(a)5 × 10³
(b)5 × 10⁻²
(c)5 × 10⁻³
(d)0.5 × 10⁻²
13.The line y = 3x + 6 meets the x-axis at one point. Work out the coordinates of that point.
y = 3x + 6
(a)(2, 0)
(b)(−2, 0)
(c)(6, 0)
(d)(0, 6)
14.£5000 is invested in an account paying 4% compound interest each year. Work out the total interest earned after 3 years.
(a)£600.00
(b)£408.00
(c)£624.32
(d)£5624.32
15.Triangle ABC is similar to triangle PQR. AB corresponds to PQ, and BC corresponds to QR. AB = 5 cm, PQ = 15 cm and BC = 7 cm. Work out the length of QR.
(a)35 cm
(b)7 cm
(c)2.33 cm
(d)21 cm
16.The table shows some values of f(x): when x = 0, f(x) = 5; when x = 1, f(x) = 8; when x = 2, f(x) = 4; when x = 3, f(x) = 1. Work out the value of f(x − 1) when x = 2.
(a)8
(b)4
(c)1
(d)3
17.The ratio of the number of pages Mia has read to the number of pages Leo has read is 7 : 4. Mia has read 84 pages. Work out how many pages they have read altogether.
(a)147
(b)231
(c)48
(d)132
18.Triangle 1 has sides of 10 cm and 13 cm with an angle of 64° between them. Triangle 2 has sides of 11 cm and 12 cm with an angle of 70° between them. Which triangle has the greater area, and by how much? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.
(a)Triangle 2, by 33.5 cm²
(b)Triangle 1, by 54.8 cm²
(c)Triangle 1, by 3.6 cm²
(d)Triangle 2, by 3.6 cm²
19.The curve y = x² − 1 and the line y = 3x − 3 meet at two points. Work out the x-coordinates of those two points.
y = 3x − 3y = x² − 1
(a)x = −1 and x = −2
(b)x = −1 and x = 4
(c)x = 1 and x = −1
(d)x = 1 and x = 2
20.A gardener charges a fixed fee of £15 plus £8 for each hour worked. The total charge, £T, for a job lasting h hours is given by T = 15 + 8h. Work out the charge for a job lasting 4 hours, and identify what kind of statement T = 15 + 8h is.
(a)£47, and T=15+8h is an equation (solved for h).
(b)£47, and T=15+8h is a formula (relates T and h).
(c)£27, and T=15+8h is a formula (relates T and h).
(d)£32, and T=15+8h is a formula (relates T and h).

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.