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%.

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GCSE Higher sample Paper 2 (calculator)

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

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1.A speed camera measures a car's speed as 34 mph, correct to the nearest mph. Work out the smallest possible actual speed of the car, in mph.
(a)33.5 mph
(b)33 mph
(c)34.5 mph
(d)34 mph
2.Work out the gradient of the straight line that passes through the points (−1, 5) and (3, −7).
(a)−6
(b)−3
(c)−1/3
(d)3
3.A metal has a density of 7.8 g/cm³. Work out the density of the metal in kg/m³.
(a)7.8 kg/m³
(b)78000 kg/m³
(c)7800 kg/m³
(d)780 kg/m³
4.Which of these statements about the area formula Area = 1/2ab sin C is correct?
(a)AB, BC and angle ABC: Area = 1/2 × AB × BC × sin(BAC)
(b)Three sides, no angle: Area still = 1/2 AB×AC×sin(BAC)
(c)AB, AC and angle BAC: Area = 1/2 × AB × AC × sin(BAC)
(d)AB, AC and angle ABC: Area = 1/2 × AB × AC × sin(ABC)
5.The probability that Leo wakes up before his alarm is 0.35. The probability that his younger sister wakes up before her alarm, independently of Leo, is 0.28. Work out the probability that neither of them wakes up before their alarm.
(a)0.098
(b)0.63
(c)0.532
(d)0.468
6.The times, t minutes, of 70 visits to a website are grouped into two classes: 0 ≤ t < 4, which contains 30 visits, and 4 ≤ t < 20, which contains 40 visits. A histogram is drawn. Work out how many times taller the bar for 0 ≤ t < 4 is than the bar for 4 ≤ t < 20.
(a)0.75
(b)5
(c)4
(d)3
7.A weather app records the temperature at three points in one day: 6 °C at noon, −2 °C at midnight, and −7 °C just before dawn. Work out the difference between the highest and lowest of these three temperatures.
(a)13 °C
(b)5 °C
(c)−1 °C
(d)8 °C
8.Solve x² − 5x + 6 = 0 by factorising.
(a)x = −2 or x = −3
(b)x = 1 or x = 6
(c)x = 2 or x = 3
(d)x = 5 or x = 6
9.A 750 g box of cereal costs £2.70. A 500 g box of the same cereal costs £1.95. Work out which box is better value, and its cost per 100 g.
(a)The 750 g box, at 54p per 100 g
(b)The 500 g box, because £1.95 is the lower total price
(c)The 500 g box, at 39p per 100 g
(d)The 750 g box, at 36p per 100 g
10.A conservatory has a roof panel shaped like a regular octagon. Work out the interior angle of the octagon, then use it to work out the size of the reflex angle at the same vertex, on the outside of the roof panel.
(a)225
(b)45
(c)315
(d)135
11.A game has two independent stages. P(win stage 1) = 0.4, and P(win stage 2) = 0.25. Work out the probability that Ffion wins at least one of the two stages.
(a)0.1
(b)0.55
(c)0.45
(d)0.65
12.Work out 3/4 − 5/12 exactly, giving your answer in its simplest form.
(a)1/3
(b)−1/6
(c)1/4
(d)7/6
13.Solve 2x + 7 = x + 13
(a)x = 2
(b)x = 20
(c)x = −6
(d)x = 6
14.A rope of length A is 1.5 times as long as a rope of length B. Write the ratio A : B in its simplest form.
(a)2 : 3
(b)3 : 5
(c)3 : 2
(d)1.5 : 1
15.Triangle ABC is similar to triangle PQR. Side AB is 8 cm and corresponds to side PQ, which is 12 cm. Side AC is 6 cm and corresponds to side PR. Work out the length of PR.
(a)16 cm
(b)10 cm
(c)9 cm
(d)4 cm
16.A circle has centre (0, 0) and passes through the point (5, 12). Work out the equation of the circle.
(a)x² + y² = 119
(b)x² + y² = 169
(c)x² + y² = 17
(d)x² + y² = 13
17.Water flows into a tank at a constant rate. After 8 minutes the tank holds 200 litres. Write the ratio of time in minutes to volume in litres, in its simplest form.
(a)25:1
(b)1:25
(c)25:8
(d)8:25
18.In triangle ABC, AB = 8 cm, AC = 5 cm and angle BAC = 60°. Work out the value of BC².
(a)49 cm²
(b)129 cm²
(c)69 cm²
(d)89 cm²
19.Point R has coordinates (3, −5). Point R is reflected in the line y = 2 to point S. Write down the coordinates of S.
(a)(3, 5)
(b)(−3, 9)
(c)(3, 9)
(d)(3, 7)
20.Which of these rules generates the sequence 6, 11, 16, 21, …?
(a)6n
(b)5n − 1
(c)5n + 1
(d)n + 5

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.