GCSE MATHS • HIGHER TIER
GCSE Bearings Exam Questions
Exam-style bearing questions combine direction, geometry and trigonometry skills. Practise a range of questions with fully worked answers to build confidence for your GCSE Maths exams.
Bearings are measured clockwise from North
- Direction
- Trigonometry
- Real-world problems
- Exam-style questions
- Fully worked answers
🎯 Exam Strategy
Follow these 7 steps for bearing questions
Practice Questions
Try the questions first, then check the answer panel.
✎ Try These Yourself
- 1. Find the reverse bearing of 070°.
- 2. Find the reverse bearing of 240°.
- 3. A ship travels 5 km East and 12 km North. Find the straight-line distance.
- 4. A plane travels 9 km East and 12 km North. Find the straight-line distance.
- 5. A ship is 10 km East and 20 km North of a port. Find the bearing from the port.
- 6. A plane is 15 km East and 15 km North of an airport. Find the bearing from the airport.
✓ Answers
- 1. 250°
- 2. 060°
- 3. 13 km
- 4. 15 km
- 5. 027°
- 6. 045°
- Common GCSE Mistakes
- Measuring anti-clockwise.
- Forgetting North lines.
- Writing two-figure bearings.
- Incorrect reverse bearings.
- Choosing the wrong trigonometric method.
- Drawing inaccurate diagrams.
- Exam Tips
- Practise drawing bearings.
- Learn compass directions.
- Master reverse bearings.
- Revise Pythagoras and SOHCAHTOA.
- Complete GCSE past-paper questions.
- Always draw a diagram before solving.
Worked Examples
Six exam-style examples, from basic bearings to multi-step problems.
090°
Worked Example 1
A ship travels on a bearing of 090° for 20 km.
What direction is this?
090° corresponds to East
090° corresponds to East
135° → 315°
Worked Example 2
A plane travels on a bearing of 135°.
Find the reverse bearing.
135° + 180° = 315°.
135° + 180° = 315°.
060° → 240°
Worked Example 3
A ship travels 30 km on a bearing of 060°.
Find the reverse bearing.
060° + 180° = 240°.
060° + 180° = 240°.
Pythagoras
Worked Example 4
A boat travels 6 km East and then 8 km North.
Find the straight-line distance from the start.
6² + 8² = 100
Distance = 10 km.
6² + 8² = 100
Distance = 10 km.
SOHCAHTOA
Worked Example 5
A ship is 15 km East and 20 km North of a harbour.
Find the angle from North.
tan θ = 15/20
θ = 36.9°
Bearing ≈ 036.9°
tan θ = 15/20
θ = 36.9°
Bearing ≈ 036.9°
EXAM-STYLE MULTI-STEP
Worked Example 6
A plane flies 40 km on a bearing of 090° and then 30 km North.
Step 1
Draw a right-angled triangle.
Step 2
Use Pythagoras:
40² + 30² = 2500
Distance = 50 km
Step 3 Find the angle.
tan θ = 40/30
θ ≈ 53.1°
Bearing ≈ 053°.
Draw a right-angled triangle.
Step 2
Use Pythagoras:
40² + 30² = 2500
Distance = 50 km
Step 3 Find the angle.
tan θ = 40/30
θ ≈ 53.1°
Bearing ≈ 053°.
50 km
40 km East
30 km North
Final Answer
Distance = 50 km, Bearing = 053°.
Key Methods
Reverse Bearings
- Many GCSE questions require reverse bearings.
- Rule:
- • Add 180° if the bearing is less than 180°.
- • Subtract 180° if the bearing is greater than 180°.
Combining Bearings with Trigonometry
- Higher Tier questions often combine bearings with:
- • Basic Pythagoras
- • 3D Pythagoras
- • SOHCAHTOA
- • Sine Rule
- • Cosine Rule
- Students should be comfortable switching between these methods.
Real-Life Applications
Bearings are used by pilots, sailors, surveyors, engineers, emergency services and GPS navigation systems. Accurate directional calculations are essential in many careers.
Build Your Confidence
How to Improve at This Topic
- Practise drawing bearings.
- Learn compass directions.
- Master reverse bearings.
- Revise Pythagoras and SOHCAHTOA.
- Complete GCSE past-paper bearing questions.
- Always draw a diagram before solving.
Topics to Revise Next
- Three-Figure Bearings
- Basic Pythagoras
- 3D Pythagoras
- SOHCAHTOA
- Sine Rule
- Cosine Rule
Ready to Practise?
Printable Worksheet
Download and print practice questions with answers.
Interactive Quiz
Test your knowledge with instant feedback and hints.
Exam-Style Questions
Timed questions to build confidence for the real exam.
Watch the Bearings Exam Questions Tutorial
Step-by-step walk throughs of Bearings Exam Questions with clear methods and exam tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Three figures create a standard format, so 45° is written as 045°.
Bearings are always measured clockwise from North.
The bearing of East is 090°.
Add 180° if the bearing is below 180°, or subtract 180° if it is above 180°.