GCSE
MATHEMATICS
Foundation Tier Paper 2 Calculator
Mark scheme for Predicted Paper
,Mark Scheme for AQA GCSE Mathematics Foundation Paper 2
Five Year Past Paper Question Analysis by topic and frequency
1. Arithmetic
• Percentage: 42%
• Recurring Patterns:
o Foundational skills like converting fractions, decimals, and percentages.
o Cost-related questions (e.g., total costs, discounts).
o Ratios and proportional reasoning are highly emphasized.
o Probability concepts integrated with arithmetic in some cases.
2. Algebra
• Percentage: 28%
• Recurring Patterns:
o Simplifying and expanding expressions.
o Solving linear equations and rearranging formulas.
o Sequences, focusing on nth term rules.
o Problem-solving requiring logical reasoning.
3. Geometry
• Percentage: 21%
• Recurring Patterns:
o Perimeter, area, and volume of 2D and 3D shapes.
o Transformations (e.g., reflection, translation).
o Angle calculations and symmetry analysis.
o Occasional inclusion of trigonometry for simple applications.
4. Probability and Statistics
• Percentage: 8%
• Recurring Patterns:
o Basic probability calculations, often presented in tree diagrams.
o Interpreting Venn diagrams or charts.
Page | 2
, o Real-life contexts such as games or survey data.
5. Graphs
• Percentage: 6%
• Recurring Patterns:
o Plotting linear graphs.
o Identifying key points such as intercepts or turning points.
o Simple interpretation tasks involving trends or data.
Key Observations
1. Most Tested Area:
Arithmetic dominates all papers, covering essential numerical skills and practical
applications.
2. Least Tested Areas:
Graphs and probability/statistics are minimally tested, with simple, direct questions.
3. Difficulty Trends:
o Questions typically progress from straightforward recall to multi-step reasoning.
o Practical and real-life contexts are frequently used to test conceptual
understanding.
4. Skill Balance:
o Papers are designed to balance computation, logical reasoning, and visualization.
o Heavy focus on algebra and arithmetic reflects the importance of foundational
mathematical fluency.
Page | 3
, Question 1(a): Circle the multiple of 15.
1. Strategies to Answer the Question:
• A multiple of 15 is a number that appears in the 15 times table (e.g., 15, 30, 45, 60, 75,
90, 105, 120, 135, etc.).
• Check each option by dividing it by 15. If the result is a whole number, it is a multiple of
15.
2. Mark Scheme:
• 1 mark for correctly circling 135.
3. Background Theory:
• A multiple is the product of a number multiplied by an integer.
• The rule for multiples of 15 is that the number must be divisible by both 3 and 5.
Question 1(b): Circle the percentage of 0.45.
1. Strategies to Answer the Question:
• Convert 0.45 to a percentage by multiplying by 100.
• 0.45 × 100 = 45%.
2. Mark Scheme:
• 1 mark for correctly circling 45%.
3. Background Theory:
• A percentage is a fraction out of 100.
• To convert a decimal to a percentage, multiply by 100.
3
Question 1(c): Circle the decimal of .
8
1. Strategies to Answer the Question:
• Divide 3 by 8 using long division:
3 ÷ 8 = 0.375.
Page | 4
MATHEMATICS
Foundation Tier Paper 2 Calculator
Mark scheme for Predicted Paper
,Mark Scheme for AQA GCSE Mathematics Foundation Paper 2
Five Year Past Paper Question Analysis by topic and frequency
1. Arithmetic
• Percentage: 42%
• Recurring Patterns:
o Foundational skills like converting fractions, decimals, and percentages.
o Cost-related questions (e.g., total costs, discounts).
o Ratios and proportional reasoning are highly emphasized.
o Probability concepts integrated with arithmetic in some cases.
2. Algebra
• Percentage: 28%
• Recurring Patterns:
o Simplifying and expanding expressions.
o Solving linear equations and rearranging formulas.
o Sequences, focusing on nth term rules.
o Problem-solving requiring logical reasoning.
3. Geometry
• Percentage: 21%
• Recurring Patterns:
o Perimeter, area, and volume of 2D and 3D shapes.
o Transformations (e.g., reflection, translation).
o Angle calculations and symmetry analysis.
o Occasional inclusion of trigonometry for simple applications.
4. Probability and Statistics
• Percentage: 8%
• Recurring Patterns:
o Basic probability calculations, often presented in tree diagrams.
o Interpreting Venn diagrams or charts.
Page | 2
, o Real-life contexts such as games or survey data.
5. Graphs
• Percentage: 6%
• Recurring Patterns:
o Plotting linear graphs.
o Identifying key points such as intercepts or turning points.
o Simple interpretation tasks involving trends or data.
Key Observations
1. Most Tested Area:
Arithmetic dominates all papers, covering essential numerical skills and practical
applications.
2. Least Tested Areas:
Graphs and probability/statistics are minimally tested, with simple, direct questions.
3. Difficulty Trends:
o Questions typically progress from straightforward recall to multi-step reasoning.
o Practical and real-life contexts are frequently used to test conceptual
understanding.
4. Skill Balance:
o Papers are designed to balance computation, logical reasoning, and visualization.
o Heavy focus on algebra and arithmetic reflects the importance of foundational
mathematical fluency.
Page | 3
, Question 1(a): Circle the multiple of 15.
1. Strategies to Answer the Question:
• A multiple of 15 is a number that appears in the 15 times table (e.g., 15, 30, 45, 60, 75,
90, 105, 120, 135, etc.).
• Check each option by dividing it by 15. If the result is a whole number, it is a multiple of
15.
2. Mark Scheme:
• 1 mark for correctly circling 135.
3. Background Theory:
• A multiple is the product of a number multiplied by an integer.
• The rule for multiples of 15 is that the number must be divisible by both 3 and 5.
Question 1(b): Circle the percentage of 0.45.
1. Strategies to Answer the Question:
• Convert 0.45 to a percentage by multiplying by 100.
• 0.45 × 100 = 45%.
2. Mark Scheme:
• 1 mark for correctly circling 45%.
3. Background Theory:
• A percentage is a fraction out of 100.
• To convert a decimal to a percentage, multiply by 100.
3
Question 1(c): Circle the decimal of .
8
1. Strategies to Answer the Question:
• Divide 3 by 8 using long division:
3 ÷ 8 = 0.375.
Page | 4
