CEM Style Maths Mixed Section 1
A CEM-style mixed maths section does not group questions by topic the way a normal maths worksheet does; arithmetic, measurement, money and simple word-problem questions appear back to back in an unpredictable order, so the pupil must identify what kind of question they are facing from the wording alone before choosing a method. Section 1 draws on the broad foundation of KS2 maths, the four operations, simple measures and one-step word problems, with the main challenge being constant switching between question types.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Read every question fully before starting, since the topic can change completely from one question to the next with no heading to warn you.
- Identify the operation the wording implies, for example 'altogether' or 'in total' usually means add, and 'shared equally' means divide, before writing anything down.
- Check the units the question is using, such as pence versus pounds or centimetres versus metres, and convert if the answer needs to be given in a different unit from the one given.
- Work each question as a fresh, self-contained problem; do not assume the next question continues the same theme.
- For simple one-step word problems, write the calculation out fully rather than trying to do it entirely in your head, since a mixed section is a common place to make a careless slip.
- Keep a steady pace rather than speeding up, since Section 1 rewards accuracy on foundational skills more than raw speed.
- Reread your final answer against the question to check it is in the units and form asked for, such as as money, or rounded to the nearest whole number.
Worked example
A baker makes 144 bread rolls and packs them equally into boxes of 8. He sells each box for 3.50 pounds. (a) How many boxes does he pack? (b) How much money does he make if he sells all the boxes?
- (a) Divide the total rolls by the box size: 144 / 8.
- 144 / 8 = 18, so he packs 18 boxes.
- (b) Multiply the number of boxes by the price per box: 18 x 3.50.
- 18 x 3.50 = 18 x 3 + 18 x 0.50 = 54 + 9 = 63.
- He makes 63 (63 pounds) if he sells all the boxes.
Practice questions
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Q1A carton holds 250ml of juice. How many millilitres are in 5 cartons?Show answer
Answer: 1,250ml.
Q296 apples are shared equally between 6 boxes. How many apples are in each box?Show answer
Answer: 16.
Q3A journey takes 45 minutes. How many minutes do two of these journeys take?Show answer
Answer: 90 minutes.
Q4A pack of 12 pens costs 4.20 pounds. Find the cost of one pen.Show answer
Answer: 35p (4.20 divided by 12 = 0.35).
Q5A pupil has 5 pounds and spends 2.75 pounds. How much money is left?Show answer
Answer: 2.25 pounds.
Q6A field is 120m long. A fence is built along one full length of the field, plus an extra 15m. How long is the fence?Show answer
Answer: 135m.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A cafe sells sandwiches for 3.20 pounds and cups of soup for 2.45 pounds. (a) Calculate the cost of 3 sandwiches and 2 cups of soup. (b) A customer pays with a 20-pound note. How much change do they receive?
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A minibus can carry 16 passengers. A school needs to transport 130 pupils on a trip. (a) How many minibuses are needed if a part-full minibus still counts as one minibus used? (b) How many empty seats are there across all the minibuses used?
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the cem style maths mixed section 1 worksheet pack - 6 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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