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 train journey takes 45 minutes, correct to the nearest 5 minutes. Using t for the actual time of the journey in minutes, write down the error interval for t.
(a)42.5 ≤ t < 47.5
(b)40 ≤ t < 50
(c)42.5 ≤ t ≤ 47.5
(d)44.5 ≤ t < 45.5
2.A rectangle has area 24x + 18. Ffion factorises the area as 6(4x + 3). Work out the value of the area when x = 2, and decide whether 6 and (4x + 3) are correctly identified as factors of 24x + 18.
(a)11 — 6 and (4x + 3) are correct factors of 24x + 18.
(b)66 — 6 and (4x + 3) are not correct factors of 24x + 18.
(c)84 — 6 and (4x + 3) are correct factors of 24x + 18.
(d)66 — 6 and (4x + 3) are correct factors of 24x + 18.
3.A market stall sells apples at a fixed price per kilogram. Priya buys 3 kg for £5.40. Write the ratio of the mass in kilograms to the cost in pounds, in its simplest form.
(a)1 : 18
(b)9 : 5
(c)5 : 9
(d)3 : 5
4.Two identical ladders lean against the same vertical wall from opposite sides, each making an angle of 58.2° with the ground. The two ladders and the ground form a triangle. Work out the size of the angle between the two ladders at the top, where they meet.
(a)121.8
(b)58.2
(c)116.4
(d)63.6
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.A scatter graph shows the mass, x kg, of a parcel and the cost, y pounds, of posting it. The line of best fit is y = 1.5x + 2. Work out the estimated cost of posting a parcel with a mass of 6 kg, using the line of best fit.
y = 1.5x + 2
(a)£13.50
(b)£11.00
(c)£12.00
(d)£9.00
7.Write these decimals in order, starting with the smallest: 0.6, 0.55, 0.601, 0.5, 0.56
(a)0.5, 0.55, 0.56, 0.6, 0.601
(b)0.5, 0.56, 0.55, 0.6, 0.601
(c)0.5, 0.6, 0.55, 0.56, 0.601
(d)0.601, 0.6, 0.56, 0.55, 0.5
8.A park is drawn on a grid in which 1 unit represents 1 km. The car park is at the point (0, 0) and the lake is at the point (3, 5). Work out the direct distance, in km, from the car park to the lake, giving your answer to 1 decimal place.
(a)5.8
(b)4.0
(c)8.0
(d)34.0
9.Two mathematically similar tins have heights 8 cm and 12 cm. Jayden says that the volume of the larger tin is 1.5 times the volume of the smaller tin. Give a reason why Jayden is incorrect, and work out the correct volume scale factor.
(a)3.375
(b)2.25
(c)4.5
(d)1.5
10.A straight line crosses two parallel lines. One of the angles formed is (2x + 10)°, and the angle alternate to it is 74°. Work out the value of x.
(a)−32
(b)48
(c)32
(d)37
11.A box holds 5 blue pens and 7 black pens. Two pens are taken at random, one at a time, and are not put back. The first pen taken is black. Work out the probability that the second pen taken is blue.
(a)5/12
(b)6/11
(c)4/11
(d)5/11
12.Write these numbers in order, starting with the smallest: −1.4, 5/4, −6/5, 1.3, 0
(a)−6/5, −1.4, 0, 5/4, 1.3
(b)−1.4, −6/5, 0, 1.3, 5/4
(c)1.3, 5/4, 0, −6/5, −1.4
(d)−1.4, −6/5, 0, 5/4, 1.3
13.f(x) = x³ − 3x − 5. Given that f(2.2) = −0.952 and f(2.3) = 0.267, work out what this shows about the equation x³ − 3x − 5 = 0.
y = x
(a)It has a solution between x = −2.2 and x = −2.3
(b)It has exactly two solutions in this interval
(c)It has no solution between x = 2.2 and x = 2.3
(d)It has a solution between x = 2.2 and x = 2.3
14.The ratio of cats to dogs in a shelter is 3:4. There are 18 cats. Work out the total number of animals in the shelter.
(a)42
(b)126
(c)25
(d)24
15.The diagram shows the plan view and the front elevation of a cuboid-shaped box, each drawn as a rectangle. Work out the area of the box's side elevation, in square centimetres.
(a)40 cm²
(b)120 cm²
(c)24 cm²
(d)15 cm²
16.Which of these rules generates the sequence 6, 11, 16, 21, …?
(a)6n
(b)5n − 1
(c)5n + 1
(d)n + 5
17.A lorry is carrying a load of mass m tonnes. Given that 1 tonne = 1000 kg, write down an expression for the mass of the load in kilograms.
(a)1000m
(b)m − 1000
(c)m/1000
(d)1000 + m
18.Triangle PQR has angle P = 90°. The side PQ = 9 cm and the hypotenuse QR = 15 cm. Work out the length of PR.
(a)17.5 cm
(b)24 cm
(c)12 cm
(d)6 cm
19.Expand and simplify (2x − 1)(x + 5)(x − 2). Write down the coefficient of x in your answer.
(a)−13
(b)−23
(c)−20
(d)10
20.Make x the subject of the formula y = 4(x − 6).
(a)x = 4y + 96
(b)x = (y + 6)/4
(c)x = (y + 24)/4
(d)x = y/4 − 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.