QTS Numeracy Skills — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A primary school has 420 pupils. If 35% of them are eligible for free school meals, how many pupils is this?
- 137
- 147 (Correct answer)
- 157
- 167
Correct answer: 147
35% of 420 = 0.35 × 420 = 147 pupils. This type of percentage calculation is fundamental to interpreting school data.
Question 2: A teacher records the following test scores for 7 pupils: 45, 52, 58, 62, 65, 71, 78. What is the median score?
- 58
- 62 (Correct answer)
- 61.6
- 65
Correct answer: 62
The median is the middle value when data is arranged in order. With 7 values, the median is the 4th value, which is 62.
Question 3: A school's Year 6 SATs results show that 72 out of 90 pupils achieved the expected standard in reading. What percentage is this?
- 75%
- 80% (Correct answer)
- 78%
- 82%
Correct answer: 80%
72 ÷ 90 = 0.8 = 80%. This is a standard percentage calculation used in analysing school performance data.
Question 4: A class has 30 pupils. The mean score on a maths test is 64 marks. If one pupil who scored 34 marks leaves the class, what is the new mean?
- 63.03
- 65.03 (Correct answer)
- 66.03
- 64.03
Correct answer: 65.03
Original total = 30 × 64 = 1920. Remove 34: 1920 - 34 = 1886. New mean = 1886 ÷ 29 = 65.03 (to 2 d.p.).
Question 5: A school trip costs £12.50 per pupil. If 28 pupils attend, what is the total cost?
- £340.00
- £350.00 (Correct answer)
- £360.00
- £325.00
Correct answer: £350.00
28 × £12.50 = £350.00. Multiplication of decimals is a key numeracy skill for QTS.
Question 6: The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 3:5. If there are 15 boys, how many girls are there?
- 20
- 25 (Correct answer)
- 30
- 18
Correct answer: 25
If boys = 3 parts = 15, then 1 part = 5. Girls = 5 parts = 5 × 5 = 25.
QTS Numeracy Skills
A primary school has 420 pupils.
If 35% of them are eligible for free school meals, how many pupils is this?