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 plane flies 2340 km at an average speed of 780 km/h. It departs at 08:20. Work out the arrival time, using the 24-hour clock.
(a)11:20
(b)03:00
(c)08:40
(d)11:00
2.The iterative formula xₙ₊₁ = 12 ÷ (xₙ + 2) is used repeatedly, starting from x₀ = 1. Work out the value that xₙ approaches, correct to 2 decimal places.
(a)3.00
(b)6.00
(c)2.61
(d)4.00
3.Write the ratio 2 : 1/4 as a ratio of whole numbers in its simplest form.
(a)8:1
(b)8:4
(c)1:8
(d)2:4
4.Point E is at (4, 2). It is rotated 180° about the point (1, 1). Work out the coordinates of the image of point E.
(a)(5, 3)
(b)(−4, −2)
(c)(3, 1)
(d)(−2, 0)
5.In a class of 30 pupils, 18 study French, 14 study German and 7 study both French and German. A pupil who studies French is picked at random. Work out the probability that this pupil also studies German.
(a)1/2
(b)7/25
(c)7/30
(d)7/18
6.In a random sample of 40 pupils at a school, 6 are left-handed. The school has 900 pupils. Work out an estimate for the number of left-handed pupils in the school.
(a)6
(b)135
(c)22.5
(d)5400
7.The two shorter sides of a right-angled triangle are √12 cm and √24 cm. Work out the exact length of the hypotenuse.
(a)2√3 + 2√6
(b)12√2
(c)36
(d)6
8.Work out the value of 2x² when x = −3
(a)18
(b)36
(c)−18
(d)−12
9.The volume of water in a paddling pool, in litres, is plotted against the time since the tap was turned on, in minutes. What are the units of the gradient of a tangent to this graph?
(a)minutes
(b)litres per minute
(c)litres
(d)minutes for each litre
10.Point P(2, 5) is enlarged with centre (2, 1) to give image point P′(2, −7). Work out the scale factor of the enlargement.
(a)−1.4
(b)2
(c)−1/2
(d)−2
11.Two fair coins are thrown together 400 times. Work out how many of the 400 throws you would expect to give one head and one tail.
(a)100
(b)200
(c)133
(d)300
12.A pair of trainers is priced at £80 online. The shop takes 25% off the price and then adds £10 for next-day delivery. Work out the total cost.
(a)£65
(b)£67.50
(c)£60
(d)£70
13.Three vertices of a rectangle are (−4, −1), (2, −1) and (2, 3). The sides of the rectangle are parallel to the axes. Write down the coordinates of the fourth vertex.
(a)(3, −4)
(b)(−4, 3)
(c)(8, 3)
(d)(−4, −5)
14.Work out the value of x when 4/x = 2/5.
(a)10
(b)2.5
(c)20
(d)8
15.PT is a tangent to a circle with centre O, touching the circle at T. C is a point on the circle such that C lies inside angle OTP (the right angle between the radius OT and the tangent PT), and OC is a radius. Angle TOC = 130°. Work out the size of angle PTC, the angle between the tangent PT and the chord TC.
(a)65°
(b)50°
(c)25°
(d)115°
16.Solve the simultaneous equations 2x + y = 7 and x + 2y = 8.
(a)x = 2, y = 5
(b)x = 3, y = 2
(c)x = 2, y = 3
(d)x = −2, y = 11
17.A recipe uses flour, sugar and butter in the ratio 8 : 3 : 5. Write the ratio of flour to the rest of the mixture (sugar and butter combined) in its simplest form.
(a)3 : 5
(b)8 : 3
(c)1 : 2
(d)1 : 1
18.A circular decoration has a radius of 10 cm. A ribbon costs £0.50 per centimetre and is fixed along the curved edge (the arc) of a sector-shaped section with an angle of 90°. Using π = 3.14, work out the cost of the ribbon for this section.
(a)£157.00
(b)£31.40
(c)£7.85
(d)£15.70
19.Solve the simultaneous equations y = 3 − x and x² + y² = 9, giving both pairs of solutions.
(a)x = 0, y = 3 and x = 6, y = −3
(b)x = 0, y = 3 and x = −3, y = 6
(c)x = 0, y = 3 and x = 3, y = 0
(d)x = 0, y = 3
20.A ball is thrown in the air. Its height, h metres, above the ground after t seconds is given in this table: when t = 0, h = 0; when t = 1, h = 15; when t = 2, h = 20; when t = 3, h = 15; when t = 4, h = 0. Use the table to find the two times, in seconds, at which the ball is at ground level.
(a)t = 0 or t = 4
(b)t = 2
(c)t = 0
(d)t = 1 or t = 3

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.