AQA GCSE Maths Paper 2 (calculator) practice questions

What is on Paper 2 (calculator)?

• Paper 2 (calculator) covers statistics, graphs, trigonometry, vectors and transformations.
• It is a 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 2 (calculator) practice questions with answers

10 original questions across the 5 Paper 2 (calculator) topics. Try each one before reading the answer.

1. Statistics: averages, spread and diagrams

   1. Find the mean of 4, 7, 9, 12, 8.

   Answer: 8

   Sum = 40, 40÷5 = 8.

2. Statistics: averages, spread and diagrams

   2. Find the median of 3, 8, 5, 1, 9.

   Answer: 5

   Ordered: 1,3,5,8,9. Middle value is 5.

3. Graphs: straight lines, curves and interpreting rates

   3. Find the gradient of the line y = 3x + 5.

   Answer: 3

   In y = mx + c, m is the gradient, so m = 3.

4. Graphs: straight lines, curves and interpreting rates

   4. Find the y-intercept of y = -2x + 7.

   Answer: 7

   c = 7, so the graph crosses the y-axis at (0,7).

5. Trigonometry: right-angled and non-right-angled triangles

   5. A right triangle has opposite = 6, hypotenuse = 10. Find sin(θ).

   Answer: 0.6

   sin(θ) = opposite/hypotenuse = 6/10 = 0.6.

6. Trigonometry: right-angled and non-right-angled triangles

   6. Find the hypotenuse of a right triangle with legs 3 and 4.

   Answer: 5

   Pythagoras: 3^2+4^2=9+16=25, sqrt(25)=5.

7. Vectors: notation, arithmetic and geometric proof

   7. Add vectors (2,3) and (4,-1).

   Answer: (6,2)

   Add components: (2+4, 3+(-1)) = (6,2).

8. Vectors: notation, arithmetic and geometric proof

   8. Find 3 times the vector (2,-5).

   Answer: (6,-15)

   Multiply each component by 3: (3×2, 3×-5) = (6,-15).

9. Transformations: translation, rotation, reflection and enlargement

   9. Translate the point (2, 3) by the vector (4, -1). Give the new coordinates.

   Answer: (6, 2)

   x: 2+4=6. y: 3+(-1)=2. New point (6, 2).

10. Transformations: translation, rotation, reflection and enlargement

    10. Reflect the point (3, 5) in the y-axis (x = 0).

    • • (-3, 5)
    • • (3, -5)
    • • (-3, -5)
    • • (5, 3)

    Answer: (-3, 5)

    Reflecting in the y-axis negates the x-coordinate: (3,5) → (-3,5).

Where Paper 2 (calculator) marks are usually lost

• Not checking the calculator is in degree mode for trigonometry.
• Rounding mid-calculation — keep full precision until the final answer.
• Drawing graphs without labelling axes or using a sensible scale.
• Confusing column vectors with coordinates in vector questions.
• Describing transformations incompletely — a rotation needs centre, angle and direction.

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 2 (calculator) topic

• Statistics: averages, spread and diagrams (72 questions)
• Graphs: straight lines, curves and interpreting rates (72 questions)
• Trigonometry: right-angled and non-right-angled triangles (72 questions)
• Vectors: notation, arithmetic and geometric proof (72 questions)
• Transformations: translation, rotation, reflection and enlargement (74 questions)

AQA Maths Paper 2 (calculator) FAQs

What topics are on AQA GCSE Maths Paper 2 (calculator)?

Paper 2 (calculator) assesses statistics, graphs, trigonometry, vectors and transformations. 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 2 (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 2 (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.