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.Grace works out 7 × 99 by writing 99 as 100 − 1. Use her method to work out 7 × 99.
(a)707
(b)700
(c)693
(d)699
2.Which of these values of x is a solution of x² + 2x − 15 = 0?
(a)x = 3
(b)x = 5
(c)x = 15
(d)x = −3
3.A cartographer is choosing a scale for a map to show a small park in as much detail as possible. Which of these scales would show the MOST detail — 1 : 500, 1 : 5000, or 1 : 50 000? Give the correct scale and reason.
(a)1 : 50 000 — covers the largest real area, most detail
(b)1 : 500 — smallest real distance per cm (5 m), most detail
(c)1 : 5000 — the middle value, most balanced
(d)1 : 500 — smallest ratio, covers largest real distance
4.What does the statement AB = CD mean, where A, B, C and D are all points?
(a)AB is parallel to CD
(b)A, B, C and D all lie on one line
(c)AB and CD are equal in length
(d)AB is perpendicular to CD
5.Two fair spinners are each numbered 1, 2 and 3. Priya spins both spinners together and records the two numbers as a pair, listing every possible outcome systematically in a grid. Work out the probability that the two numbers are the same.
(a)1/2
(b)1/9
(c)2/3
(d)1/3
6.A dual bar chart shows the number of hours of rain recorded in Leeds and in Bristol on each of four days. Leeds: Monday 3 hours, Tuesday 5 hours, Wednesday 2 hours, Thursday 4 hours. Bristol: Monday 4 hours, Tuesday 4 hours, Wednesday 6 hours, Thursday 2 hours. Work out the greatest amount, in hours, by which Bristol's rainfall exceeded Leeds's rainfall on a single day.
(a)1
(b)4
(c)2
(d)6
7.A carton of orange juice holds 1.35 litres. Ruby pours the juice equally into 4 identical glasses. Work out how much juice is in each glass, giving your answer as a fraction of a litre in its simplest form.
(a)27/20
(b)17/50
(c)27/5
(d)27/80
8.Expand and simplify (x − 3)²
(a)x² + 6x + 9
(b)x² − 9
(c)x² − 3x + 9
(d)x² − 6x + 9
9.Two quantities, P and Q, are in inverse proportion. A graph is drawn with P on the vertical axis and Q on the horizontal axis. Write down which description fits the shape of this graph.
(a)A straight line with a negative gradient
(b)A straight line crossing the vertical axis above zero
(c)A straight line through the origin
(d)A falling curve that never touches either axis
10.An enlargement with scale factor 5 maps the point (4, 1) to the point (12, 9). Which of these points is invariant (does not move) under this enlargement?
(a)(−2, −2)
(b)(−2, 1)
(c)(8, 5)
(d)(2, −1)
11.The probability that a pupil chosen at random has a nut allergy is 1/10. There are 30 pupils in a class. Work out how many of the 30 pupils would be expected to have a nut allergy.
(a)1 pupil
(b)3 pupils
(c)27 pupils
(d)10 pupils
12.The number 24 can be written as 2³ × 3, and the number 60 can be written as 2² × 3 × 5. Work out the lowest common multiple of 24 and 60.
(a)120
(b)12
(c)1440
(d)60
13.The formula for the area of a trapezium is A = (a + b)h / 2, where a and b are the parallel side lengths and h is the height. Make h the subject of the formula.
(a)h = 2A / a + b
(b)h = (a + b) / (2A)
(c)h = A / (a + b)
(d)h = 2A / (a + b)
14.Work out the value of x when 4/x = 2/5.
(a)10
(b)2.5
(c)20
(d)8
15.A model of a bridge is built to a scale where every length on the model is 1/240 of the matching length on the real bridge. A support beam on the model measures 3.6 cm. Work out the length of the real support beam, giving your answer in metres.
(a)86.4 m
(b)8.64 m
(c)0.0864 m
(d)864 m
16.A speed-time graph for a car shows the speed increasing steadily from 5 m/s to 17 m/s over 6 seconds. Work out the acceleration of the car, in m/s².
(a)2 m/s²
(b)22 m/s²
(c)12 m/s²
(d)72 m/s²
17.A charity shop and a school share collection-box money in the ratio 5 : 8. The charity shop receives £47.50. Work out how much the school receives.
(a)£29.69
(b)£76.00
(c)£57.00
(d)£123.50
18.A square-based pyramid is cut by a flat plane parallel to its base, partway up between the base and the apex. What shape is the cross-section?
(a)Triangle
(b)Trapezium
(c)Square
(d)Pentagon
19.A rule turns each input x into an output y. The inputs are x = −1, 0, 1, 2 and the matching outputs are y = 5, 3, 1, −1. Work out the rule.
(a)y = −2x + 3
(b)y = 2x + 3
(c)y = −2x − 3
(d)y = −x + 4
20.A sequence is defined by aₙ = aₙ₋₁ + aₙ₋₂ for n ≥ 3. Given that a₃ = 11 and a₅ = 29, work out a₁.
(a)4
(b)3
(c)7
(d)18

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.