Scale questions turn up as maps, floor plans and models. A scale of 1 : 25,000 means every centimetre on the map is 25,000 cm – 250 m – on the ground, and the marks are for handling those unit conversions. This free worksheet covers ratio scales, scales written as ‘1 cm to 2 km’, drawing to scale and planning a route.
Free to download, print and share for personal or classroom use. Answers included.
What’s in this worksheet
- Section A – Using a scale (10 marks)
- Section B – Planning and drawing (16 marks)
- Revise box with the rules and methods for the topic
- Worked answers for every question
Common mistakes on this topic
From our tutors’ marking and the most recent examiner reports – check your work against these:
- Multiplying when you should divide (or vice versa). Real distance is always the bigger number.
- Stopping at 160,000 cm. Convert to a sensible unit – metres or kilometres.
- Drawing to scale without a ruler, or forgetting to state the scale on the drawing.
How to use it
- Print the worksheet (or work on screen) and attempt every question without looking at the answers. Give yourself a rough time limit – Level 2 exams are tight.
- Mark your work against the answer page. For maths, check the method as well as the final number; method marks are where most of the marks are.
- Read the ‘common mistakes’ notes below and check whether any of them happened to you. Then redo the questions you got wrong a day later.
Related free resources
- Plans and Elevations Worksheet – Functional Skills Maths Level 2
- Coordinates Worksheet – Functional Skills Maths Level 2
- Level 2 Maths Mini Practice Paper 1 – Functional Skills Maths Level 2
- All free Functional Skills Maths Level 2 resources
Frequently asked questions
What does a scale of 1 : 25,000 mean?
Every 1 cm on the map represents 25,000 cm in real life, which is 250 m or 0.25 km. So 4 cm on the map is 1 km. Ordnance Survey walking maps use this scale.
How do you convert a map distance to a real distance?
Multiply by the scale number, then convert the units. On a 1 : 50,000 map, 3 cm × 50,000 = 150,000 cm = 1,500 m = 1.5 km.
How do I choose a scale for a scale drawing?
Pick a scale that makes the drawing fit the paper with room for labels. A 6 m room at 1 : 50 is 12 cm – fine for A4. State the scale on the drawing and use a ruler for every line.
Want a tutor to mark your work? Not sure where you stand? Take the free 15-minute mini mock test. Ready to get qualified? Our live 10-week Functional Skills Level 2 Maths course runs in small groups with a mock exam included, and the 5-day revision course is there if your exam is close.