Maths: Full Practice Paper (Core, Non-Calculator, Set 3)
This is the third full practice paper for the Core Non-Calculator Maths paper, one of the two Common Entrance papers every 13+ candidate sits, giving another complete timed paper of non-calculator questions across number, fractions, percentages, ratio, algebra, geometry and statistics.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Work through the paper in the order given, but do not get stuck on one question; note your best attempt, move on, and return to it later if time allows.
- Use secure non-calculator written methods for all four operations, and know your times tables to 12 x 12 without hesitation, since no calculator is allowed.
- Use non-calculator-friendly routes for fractions, percentages and ratio: build percentages from 10%, 5% and 1%; find a fraction of an amount by dividing then multiplying; find the value of one share of a ratio before scaling.
- Write every line of working in the space provided, since method marks are awarded independently of whether the final answer is correct.
- Estimate an answer by rounding to 1 significant figure before and after a calculation, to catch mistakes early.
- Spend time on each question roughly in proportion to its marks, so the highest-mark question near the end gets proper attention.
- In the last few minutes, check that every part of every question has an answer, and that each one matches exactly what was asked, including units.
Worked example
A school shop buys 50 pencils for 4 pounds in total and sells each pencil for 25p. Work out the total profit once all 50 pencils are sold.
- Find the total revenue: 50 x 25p = 1250p, which is 12.50 pounds.
- The total cost is already given as 4 pounds.
- Subtract the cost from the revenue: 12.50 - 4 = 8.50.
- So the shop makes 8.50 pounds profit.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1A stall sells 4 sandwiches at 2.20 pounds each and 3 drinks at 1.10 pounds each. Work out the total cost, without a calculator.Show answer
Answer: 12.10 pounds (4 x 2.20 = 8.80, 3 x 1.10 = 3.30, total = 12.10)
Q2Find 5/6 of 72.Show answer
Answer: 60
Q3Without a calculator, work out 45% of 160.Show answer
Answer: 72 (10% = 16, 40% = 64, 5% = 8, 45% = 72)
Q4A prize of 240 pounds is shared between three friends in the ratio 1:2:5. Work out the smallest share.Show answer
Answer: 30 pounds (parts sum to 8, one part = 240 / 8 = 30, smallest share = 30)
Q5Simplify 6x + 4 - 2x - 9.Show answer
Answer: 4x - 5
Q6A parallelogram has base 12 cm and perpendicular height 5 cm. Work out its area.Show answer
Answer: 60 cm^2
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 13+ Common Entrance exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Without a calculator, work out 6^2 - 3^3.
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 2 available
A cafe makes 150 muffins. 3/5 of the muffins are sold in the morning. Of the muffins not sold in the morning, half are sold in the afternoon and the rest are given away. Work out how many muffins are given away.
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Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 3 available
A market stall sells lemons in bags of 5 for 75p, or individually at 17p each. Aisha buys 20 lemons as four bags of 5. Work out how much she pays, then work out how much she would have paid buying all 20 lemons individually, and state how much she saves by buying in bags.
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 4 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the maths: full practice paper (core, non-calculator, set 3) worksheet pack - 11 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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