AQA GCSE Statistics (8382) Past Papers, Mark Schemes & Examiner Tips
Looking for AQA GCSE Statistics (8382) past papers and mark schemes? Use the tables below to access official Paper 1 and Paper 2 question papers for Foundation and Higher tiers, organised clearly by exam year to make your revision easier.
Whether you are preparing for the 2027 exams or practising throughout your course, these past papers will help you understand the question styles, apply statistical methods and improve your exam technique. You can also jump to our examiner tips to avoid common mistakes or read the FAQs for clear guidance on the AQA GCSE Statistics exams.
June 2025
2025 AQA GCSE Statistics | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Paper 1 Foundation (8382/1F) | ||
Paper 1 Higher (8382/1H) | ||
Paper 2 Foundation (8382/2F) | ||
Paper 2 Higher (8382/2H) |
June 2024
2024 AQA GCSE Statistics | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Paper 1 Foundation (8382/1F) | ||
Paper 1 Higher (8382/1H) | ||
Paper 2 Foundation (8382/2F) | ||
Paper 2 Higher (8382/2H) |
June 2023
2023 AQA GCSE Statistics | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Paper 1 Foundation (8382/1F) | ||
Paper 1 Higher (8382/1H) | ||
Paper 2 Foundation (8382/2F) | ||
Paper 2 Higher (8382/2H) |
June 2022
2022 AQA GCSE Statistics | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Paper 1 Foundation (8382/1F) | ||
Paper 1 Higher (8382/1H) | ||
Paper 2 Foundation (8382/2F) | ||
Paper 2 Higher (8382/2H) |
November 2021
2021 AQA GCSE Statistics | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Paper 1 Foundation (8382/1F) | ||
Paper 1 Higher (8382/1H) | ||
Paper 2 Foundation (8382/2F) | ||
Paper 2 Higher (8382/2H) |
November 2020
2020 AQA GCSE Statistics | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Paper 1 Foundation (8382/1F) | ||
Paper 1 Higher (8382/1H) | ||
Paper 2 Foundation (8382/2F) | ||
Paper 2 Higher (8382/2H) |
November 2019
2019 AQA GCSE Statistics | Question Paper | Mark Scheme |
Paper 1 Foundation (8382/1F) | Not currently listed | |
Paper 1 Higher (8382/1H) | Not currently listed | |
Paper 2 Foundation (8382/2F) |
Top Tips from Examiners
Our teachers repeatedly highlight the same avoidable mistakes in AQA GCSE Statistics. Use these six tips to improve.
1. Always Interpret Results in Context
Do not write isolated comments such as “positive correlation”, “Group A has a higher median” or “the graph is increasing”. Explain what the result means in the situation described.
For example, instead of writing “Group A has a smaller median”, write “Group A has a lower median journey time, so people in Group A generally completed the journey faster.”
When comparing groups of different sizes, use proportions or percentages, not raw frequencies. A larger group may contain more people in a category simply because it has more members overall.
2. Calculate and Plot Moving Averages Correctly
A moving average is the mean of a specified number of consecutive values. For a four-point moving average, add four consecutive values and divide by four before moving forward by one time period.
Plot each moving average at the midpoint of its corresponding time interval, not at the beginning or end. Join the plotted moving-average points appropriately to reveal the underlying trend without seasonal variation.
For a line of best fit, use a ruler to draw one straight line through the overall pattern of points. Where required, ensure it passes through the double mean point (xˉ,yˉ).
3. Use Upper Class Boundaries for Cumulative Frequency
Cumulative frequency values should normally be plotted against the upper class boundaries, not the class midpoints.
Label both axes, plot the points accurately and join them with a smooth increasing curve. Use the completed curve to estimate the median, quartiles and percentiles.
Before drawing a box plot, calculate or estimate the five required values:
Minimum
Lower quartile
Median
Upper quartile
Maximum
Plot these values on one consistent scale so that comparisons between distributions are valid.
4. Apply Probability Rules Carefully
On a probability tree:
Multiply along branches to find the probability of combined events.
Add different completed routes when either route produces the required outcome.
For conditional probability, identify the restricted group described by the condition and use that group as the denominator. Also check whether selections are made with or without replacement, as this determines whether the probabilities and denominators change.
A probability greater than 1 is impossible and usually indicates that probabilities have been added or multiplied incorrectly.
5. Show Complete Working for Every Calculation
Do not write only a final answer on a multi-mark question. If the answer is wrong and no working is visible, the examiner may be unable to award method marks.
Set out calculations line by line, including:
The formula or method
Values substituted
Intermediate calculations
The final answer
Appropriate units or rounding
Bring a functioning calculator and check important calculations before moving on. Clear working may still earn marks when a small arithmetic error affects the final answer.
6. Design Questionnaires and Sampling Methods Precisely
Questionnaire response categories must be mutually exclusive so that they do not overlap, and exhaustive so that every possible answer is covered.
Include a clear time frame where necessary. For example, ask “How many hours do you exercise per week?” rather than simply “How many hours do you exercise?”
When describing a random sample, give a complete method:
Number every member of the population.
Use a random-number generator or random-number table.
Select the required number of valid entries.
Sample without replacement or discard repeated numbers.
When evaluating a method, avoid vague comments such as “it is quick” or “people may lie”. Explain the specific statistical effect, such as introducing response bias, excluding part of the population or producing an unrepresentative sample.
Frequently Asked Questions: AQA GCSE Statistics
1. How many AQA GCSE Statistics exams will I take?
You will take two written papers at the same tier—Foundation or Higher. Both papers must be taken in the same examination series, and each contributes 50% of your final grade. AQA specification at a glance
2. How long is each exam, and how many marks is it worth?
Each paper lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes and is worth 80 marks. This gives a total of 160 marks across the qualification. AQA scheme of assessment
3. Are different topics tested on Paper 1 and Paper 2?
No. Both papers can assess any part of the specification, so you must revise the entire course for each exam. Do not assume that a topic appearing on Paper 1 cannot appear again on Paper 2.
4. What is the difference between Foundation and Higher tier?
Foundation tier awards grades 1–5, while Higher tier normally awards grades 4–9. A grade 3 may be awarded on Higher tier to students who narrowly miss grade 4. Speak to your teacher if you are unsure which tier is appropriate for you.
5. Can I use a calculator in the exams?
Yes. A calculator is permitted on both papers, provided that it meets the current examination regulations. Practise using the same calculator before the exam, particularly for averages, powers, fractions, percentages and statistical calculations.
6. What is the Statistical Enquiry Cycle?
The Statistical Enquiry Cycle is the process of:
Identifying a question or hypothesis
Planning how to collect suitable data
Processing and presenting the data
Interpreting the results
Evaluating the method and drawing a conclusion
Each paper may include a question based on this cycle, so you must be able to justify methods and interpret results—not simply perform calculations.
7. Which topics should I prioritise during revision?
Revise the complete specification, including sampling, questionnaires, data presentation, averages, measures of spread, probability, cumulative frequency, box plots, scatter diagrams, correlation, time series, index numbers and interpreting statistical evidence. Give extra attention to topics you struggle to explain in context.
8. How much working should I show in calculation questions?
Show every important stage, including the formula, substituted values and final calculation. This allows examiners to award method marks even if you make a small arithmetic error. Keep full calculator values during multi-step calculations and round only the final answer unless instructed otherwise.
9. What is the best way to use past papers for the 2027 exams?
Complete past papers under timed conditions, mark them carefully and record every lost mark by topic and mistake type. Redo incorrect questions without looking at the mark scheme, then practise similar questions. Pay particular attention to command words, contextual conclusions, accurate graph work, probability rules and clearly presented calculations.
