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)
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- 1.By first working out 2.9², then squaring your result, estimate 2.9⁴ to 2 significant figures.
- 2.Work out the period of the graph of y = cos x, in degrees.y = cos(x)
- 3.A cyclist rides at an average speed of 24 km/h for 1 hour 15 minutes. Work out the distance travelled, in km.
- 4.Triangle ABC has a right angle at B, hypotenuse AC = 13 cm and AB = 5 cm. Triangle DEF has a right angle at E, hypotenuse DF = 13 cm and DE = 5 cm. Which condition proves the two triangles are congruent?
- 5.Two ordinary fair dice are rolled. Work out the probability that both dice show the same score.
- 6.A gym in Cardiff has a scatter graph of the number of training sessions, x, attended by each member and the weight lost, y kg. The line of best fit is y = 0.4x + 1. Members want to lose at least 9 kg. Using the line of best fit, work out the least whole number of sessions needed to reach this target.y = 0.4x + 1
- 7.Simplify x⁽³⁄⁴⁾ ÷ x⁽¹⁄⁴⁾
- 8.Work out the equation of the straight line through the points (−3, 4) and (1, −8).
- 9.The ratio of Josh's savings to Mia's savings is 4:7. Mia has £39 more than Josh. Work out Josh's savings.
- 10.Triangle A has a vertex at (1, 2). Triangle A is enlarged, centre (1, 1), to give triangle B, whose corresponding vertex is at (1, 5). Work out the scale factor of the enlargement.
- 11.A biased spinner is spun 40 times and lands on red 16 times. It is then spun a further 60 times and lands on red 21 times. Work out the best estimate of the probability that the spinner lands on red, using the results of all 100 spins together.
- 12.Write 7/12 as a decimal, showing clearly which digit is recurring.
- 13.A car's speed, in m/s, during a journey is: 0 at t = 0 s, 8 at t = 4 s, and 8 (constant) from t = 4 s to t = 10 s, increasing at a constant rate between t = 0 and t = 4. Estimate the total distance the car travels, using the areas of a triangle and a rectangle.
- 14.A jug holds 3 litres of a drink that is 60% fruit juice. 1 litre of water is added to the jug. Work out the percentage of the new mixture that is fruit juice.
- 15.In triangle ABC, AB = 7.4 cm, AC = 5.9 cm and angle BAC = 68°. Work out the length of BC. Give your answer to 1 decimal place.
- 16.Tom buys 2 notebooks and 6 pencils on Monday, priced at p pence each for a notebook and q pence each for a pencil. On Tuesday he buys 3 more notebooks and 1 more pencil. Write a simplified expression, in pence, for the total amount Tom has spent on notebooks and pencils.
- 17.y is directly proportional to x. When x = 7, the value of y is 21. Work out the value of x when y = 12.
- 18.Triangle ABC and triangle DEF are similar. The area of triangle ABC is 36 cm² and the area of triangle DEF is 100 cm². Work out the ratio of the lengths of triangle ABC to the lengths of triangle DEF, in its simplest form.
- 19.Solve 4x² − 9 = 0.
- 20.Work out the coordinates of the point halfway between (−9, −2) and (−1, −2).
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.