AQA GCSE Maths Paper 1 (non-calculator) practice questions

What is on Paper 1 (non-calculator)?

• Paper 1 (non-calculator) covers number, algebra, ratio and proportion, geometry and probability.
• It is a non-calculator written paper of 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 80 marks — a third of the GCSE.
• Questions ramp from short single-step items to multi-step problem solving worth 4–6 marks.
• Any topic from the whole specification can appear on any paper, so the topics below are the ones most commonly assessed here.

Paper 1 (non-calculator) practice questions with answers

10 original questions across the 5 Paper 1 (non-calculator) topics. Try each one before reading the answer.

1. Fractions, percentages and standard form

   1. A price rises 20% to £60. What was the original price?

   Answer: £50

   60 ÷ 1.2 = 50 — divide by the multiplier.

2. Fractions, percentages and standard form

   2. Which multiplier represents a 15% decrease?

   • • 1.15
   • • 0.15
   • • 0.85
   • • 0.15%

   Answer: 0.85

   100% − 15% = 85% = 0.85.

3. Solving equations, rearranging and sequences

   3. Solve 3(x − 2) = 15.

   Answer: x = 7

   3x − 6 = 15 → 3x = 21 → x = 7.

4. Solving equations, rearranging and sequences

   4. Find the nth term of 5, 8, 11, 14...

   Answer: 3n + 2

   Difference is 3; 5 − 3 = 2.

5. Ratio, proportion and rates of change

   5. Share £120 in the ratio 2 : 3.

   Answer: £48 and £72

   5 parts → £24 each; 2 × 24 and 3 × 24.

6. Ratio, proportion and rates of change

   6. A car travels 90 km in 45 minutes. Find the average speed in km/h.

   Answer: 120 km/h

   45 min = 0.75 h; 90 ÷ 0.75.

7. Angles, Pythagoras and trigonometry

   7. A right-angled triangle has legs 6 cm and 8 cm. Find the hypotenuse.

   Answer: 10 cm

   6² + 8² = 100, √100 = 10.

8. Angles, Pythagoras and trigonometry

   8. Which ratio uses the opposite and adjacent sides?

   • • sin
   • • cos
   • • tan
   • • Pythagoras

   Answer: tan

   TOA: tan = opposite ÷ adjacent.

9. Probability: trees, Venn diagrams and conditional probability

   9. A bag has 4 red and 6 blue balls. Find P(red).

   Answer: 2/5

   4 red out of 10 total = 4/10 = 2/5.

10. Probability: trees, Venn diagrams and conditional probability

    10. P(rain) = 0.3. Find P(no rain).

    • • 0.3
    • • 0.7
    • • 1.3
    • • 0

    Answer: 0.7

    1 − 0.3 = 0.7.

Where Paper 1 (non-calculator) marks are usually lost

• Relying on calculator habits — practise written methods for fractions, percentages and long multiplication.
• Dropping marks by not simplifying fractions or ratios fully.
• Skipping algebraic working and writing only the answer, which loses method marks.
• Forgetting angle reasons — state the rule, for example 'angles on a straight line sum to 180°'.
• Misreading probability questions that ask for answers as fractions in simplest form.

How to pick up the extended-answer marks

• Show every line of working — method marks are awarded even when the final answer is wrong.
• For multi-step problems, write down what you know and what you need before calculating; a labelled plan often earns the first mark.
• Check whether the question asks for a specific form: exact value, significant figures, or units.
• If you are stuck, attempt the part you can do — later parts often carry their own independent marks.

Timing that works under pressure

• Work at roughly one mark per minute so you keep spare time for checking at the end.
• Bank the short recall questions first, then return to the longer answers with your remaining time.
• If a question stalls for more than two minutes, write down what you know and move on — partial marks still count.
• Leave five minutes to check units, significant figures and whether any question part was skipped over a page break.

Revise each Paper 1 (non-calculator) topic

• Fractions, percentages and standard form (83 questions)
• Solving equations, rearranging and sequences (83 questions)
• Ratio, proportion and rates of change (83 questions)
• Angles, Pythagoras and trigonometry (83 questions)
• Probability: trees, Venn diagrams and conditional probability (72 questions)

AQA Maths Paper 1 (non-calculator) FAQs

What topics are on AQA GCSE Maths Paper 1 (non-calculator)?

Paper 1 (non-calculator) assesses number, algebra, ratio and proportion, geometry and probability. Any topic from the full specification can appear on any paper, but these are the areas most commonly examined here.

How long is AQA GCSE Maths Paper 1 (non-calculator)?

It is a 1 hour 30 minute written exam worth 80 marks, which is a third of the GCSE. Working at about one mark per minute leaves time to check your answers.

How should I revise for Maths Paper 1 (non-calculator)?

Practise answering questions rather than rereading notes. Short daily sets of five questions per topic, marked straight away, expose weak areas faster than a long passive revision session.