ENGAA 2021 D564/11
40 questions40 marks60Updated August 2025
The ENGAA 2021 D564/11 paper in full: all 40 questions, each with its answer. ENGAA is the Engineering Admissions Assessment. Sit it cold under exam timing, mark it, then work back through anything you missed using the solutions below.
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Question 1
1 markSimplify fully
where x and y are positive.
where x and y are positive.
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
- G.
- H.
Answer: E
Question 2
1 markAir is trapped in a cylinder by a piston. The density of the air in the cylinder is .

The piston is moved so that the pressure of the trapped air increases by 20%. The temperature of the trapped air does not change.
What is the new density of the trapped air?
(Assume that air is an ideal gas.)

The piston is moved so that the pressure of the trapped air increases by 20%. The temperature of the trapped air does not change.
What is the new density of the trapped air?
(Assume that air is an ideal gas.)
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
Answer: E
Question 3
1 markWhich of the following is a rearrangement of
so that q is the subject?
so that q is the subject?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
- G.
- H.
Answer: D
Question 4
1 markA non-ideal transformer has 100 turns on the primary coil and 25 turns on the secondary coil.
It is provided with 3.0 kW of electrical power at a current of 12.5 A.
The voltage output is the same as for an ideal transformer, but the current in the output coil is 40 A.
What is the efficiency of the transformer?
It is provided with 3.0 kW of electrical power at a current of 12.5 A.
The voltage output is the same as for an ideal transformer, but the current in the output coil is 40 A.
What is the efficiency of the transformer?
- A.20%
- B.25%
- C.31%
- D.69%
- E.75%
- F.80%
- G.91%
- H.100%
Answer: F
Question 5
1 markTwo solid cylinders, P and Q, are shown, where .

Cylinder P has diameter x and height y.
Cylinder Q has diameter y and height x.
What is the positive difference between the total surface areas of P and Q?

Cylinder P has diameter x and height y.
Cylinder Q has diameter y and height x.
What is the positive difference between the total surface areas of P and Q?
- A.0
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
- G.
Answer: C
Question 6
1 markA light spring has an uncompressed length of 0.10 m. When an object of mass 0.5 kg rests in equilibrium on top of the spring, the length of the spring reduces to 0.08 m as shown.

What is the energy stored in the spring due to the compression?
(gravitational field strength = ; the spring obeys Hooke's law)

What is the energy stored in the spring due to the compression?
(gravitational field strength = ; the spring obeys Hooke's law)
- A.0.005 J
- B.0.02 J
- C.0.05 J
- D.0.1 J
- E.0.2 J
- F.0.4 J
Answer: C
Question 7
1 markThe price of item P is reduced by 10%. The next day, the new price is increased by 10%.
The price of item Q is increased by 10%. The next day, the new price is reduced by 10%.
How does the final price of each item compare to the original price of that item?
| | item P final price | item Q final price |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| A | lower than original | lower than original |
| B | lower than original | higher than original |
| C | higher than original | lower than original |
| D | higher than original | higher than original |
| E | the same as original | the same as original |
The price of item Q is increased by 10%. The next day, the new price is reduced by 10%.
How does the final price of each item compare to the original price of that item?
| | item P final price | item Q final price |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| A | lower than original | lower than original |
| B | lower than original | higher than original |
| C | higher than original | lower than original |
| D | higher than original | higher than original |
| E | the same as original | the same as original |
- A.item P final price: lower than original, item Q final price: lower than original
- B.item P final price: lower than original, item Q final price: higher than original
- C.item P final price: higher than original, item Q final price: lower than original
- D.item P final price: higher than original, item Q final price: higher than original
- E.item P final price: the same as original, item Q final price: the same as original
Answer: A
Question 8
1 markA set of decorative lights consists of 20 lamps connected in series to a dc supply of constant voltage.
The total power transferred by all the lamps is P.
The set is designed so that if one of the lamps fails, that lamp becomes short-circuited and it then has zero resistance. The remaining lamps are still lit.
If this happens, with the set connected to the same supply, what is the new total power transferred by the remaining 19 lamps?
(Assume that the resistance of each functioning lamp remains constant.)
The total power transferred by all the lamps is P.
The set is designed so that if one of the lamps fails, that lamp becomes short-circuited and it then has zero resistance. The remaining lamps are still lit.
If this happens, with the set connected to the same supply, what is the new total power transferred by the remaining 19 lamps?
(Assume that the resistance of each functioning lamp remains constant.)
- A.
- B.
- C.P
- D.
- E.
Answer: D
Question 9
1 mark[diagram not to scale]

SQT is a right-angled triangle with the right angle at Q.
The point R is on SQ such that SR : RQ = 1:3
QRP is a right-angled triangle with the right angle at Q.
PR = ST = 8 cm
QT = 4 cm
What is the length of PQ, in cm?

SQT is a right-angled triangle with the right angle at Q.
The point R is on SQ such that SR : RQ = 1:3
QRP is a right-angled triangle with the right angle at Q.
PR = ST = 8 cm
QT = 4 cm
What is the length of PQ, in cm?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
Answer: D
Question 10
1 markA train accelerates from rest along a straight, horizontal section of track.
The force exerted on the train due to its motors is constant and there is a constant friction force of N.
The graph shows how the momentum of the train changes with time.

What is the force exerted on the train due to its motors?
The force exerted on the train due to its motors is constant and there is a constant friction force of N.
The graph shows how the momentum of the train changes with time.

What is the force exerted on the train due to its motors?
- A. N
- B. N
- C. N
- D. N
- E. N
- F. N
- G. N
- H. N
Answer: E
Question 11
1 markThe curve with equation meets the straight line with equation at two points, which have x-coordinates p and q, where .
Given that , what is the value of the constant c?
Given that , what is the value of the constant c?
- A.-43
- B.-12
- C.-2
- D.0
- E.2
- F.12
- G.43
Answer: F
Question 12
1 markA ship travels into a wave that is travelling in the opposite direction to the ship.
The ship has a horizontal speed of . The speed of the wave is .
The front of the ship rises and falls with a time period of 8.0 s.
What is the wavelength of the wave?
The ship has a horizontal speed of . The speed of the wave is .
The front of the ship rises and falls with a time period of 8.0 s.
What is the wavelength of the wave?
- A. m
- B. m
- C.1.0 m
- D. m
- E.24 m
- F.40 m
- G.64 m
- H.88 m
Answer: H
Question 13
1 markGiven that
what is the value of ?
what is the value of ?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
- G.
Answer: F
Question 14
1 markA 6.0 V battery is connected to an 8.0 resistor and a filament lamp as shown in the circuit diagram.

The reading on the ammeter is 0.25 A.
Which graph is a possible V-I graph for the filament lamp?


The reading on the ammeter is 0.25 A.
Which graph is a possible V-I graph for the filament lamp?

- A.Graph labeled A
- B.Graph labeled B
- C.Graph labeled C
- D.Graph labeled D
- E.Graph labeled E
- F.Graph labeled F
Answer: B
Question 15
1 markCharlie has a bowl containing red sweets and green sweets only. The sweets are identical in all respects except colour.
There are nine sweets in total in the bowl.
Charlie eats two sweets from the bowl at random.
The probability of Charlie not eating any green sweets is .
What is the probability that Charlie eats two green sweets?
There are nine sweets in total in the bowl.
Charlie eats two sweets from the bowl at random.
The probability of Charlie not eating any green sweets is .
What is the probability that Charlie eats two green sweets?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
- G.
Answer: B
Question 16
1 markA radioactive nuclide X decays in a single stage to a stable nuclide R.
A radioactive nuclide Y decays in a single stage to a stable nuclide S.
When a rock formed it contained equal numbers of atoms of all four nuclides X, Y, R and S.
The half-life of X is T years and the half-life of Y is 2T years.
What is the value of at a time 4T years after the rock has formed?
(Assume that no other processes add or remove X, Y, R or S from the rock during this time.)
A radioactive nuclide Y decays in a single stage to a stable nuclide S.
When a rock formed it contained equal numbers of atoms of all four nuclides X, Y, R and S.
The half-life of X is T years and the half-life of Y is 2T years.
What is the value of at a time 4T years after the rock has formed?
(Assume that no other processes add or remove X, Y, R or S from the rock during this time.)
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.2
Answer: C
Question 17
1 markThe greatest diagonal distance between the two vertices of a cuboid, as shown in the diagram, is cm.

A similar cuboid has all its lengths exactly half the lengths of the original cuboid.
The sides of this smaller cuboid are 2 cm, 3 cm and x cm.
What is the value of x, in cm?

A similar cuboid has all its lengths exactly half the lengths of the original cuboid.
The sides of this smaller cuboid are 2 cm, 3 cm and x cm.
What is the value of x, in cm?
- A.
- B.5
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
Answer: A
Question 18
1 markA beaker containing 180 g of water at 25 °C has a 20 g ice cube at 0 °C added to it.
No heat is transferred between the water and the surroundings (including the beaker).
What is the final temperature of all the water in the beaker after all the ice has melted?
(Take the specific heat capacity of water to be and the specific latent heat of fusion of water to be .)
No heat is transferred between the water and the surroundings (including the beaker).
What is the final temperature of all the water in the beaker after all the ice has melted?
(Take the specific heat capacity of water to be and the specific latent heat of fusion of water to be .)
- A.2.5 °C
- B.8.3 °C
- C.10.0 °C
- D.15.0 °C
- E.16.7 °C
- F.22.5 °C
Answer: D
Question 19
1 markA car journey is miles long.
One kilometre is equivalent to miles.
The car uses one litre of fuel to travel a distance of kilometres.
Fuel for the car costs pence per litre.
Which of the following expressions gives the cost of fuel for this journey, in pounds?
(There are 100 pence in one pound.)
One kilometre is equivalent to miles.
The car uses one litre of fuel to travel a distance of kilometres.
Fuel for the car costs pence per litre.
Which of the following expressions gives the cost of fuel for this journey, in pounds?
(There are 100 pence in one pound.)
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
- G.
- H.
Answer: H
Question 20
1 markA pulse of ultrasound travels from one end of a solid uniform rod of length L, starting at time t = 0.
The pulse is partially reflected by a crack in the rod and partially by the far end of the rod.
These two reflected pulses travel back along the rod, arriving at the end from which they started at times and , where .
What is the distance between the crack and the of the rod?
The pulse is partially reflected by a crack in the rod and partially by the far end of the rod.
These two reflected pulses travel back along the rod, arriving at the end from which they started at times and , where .
What is the distance between the crack and the of the rod?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
Answer: E
Question 21
1 markGiven that
find the value of when
find the value of when
- A.-12
- B.
- C.3
- D.
- E.5
Answer: C
Question 22
1 markObject P of mass 2.4 kg is on a smooth plane inclined at an angle of to the horizontal. A constant force of magnitude 2F parallel to the plane is applied to P. As a result P moves directly up the plane with constant velocity.
Object Q of mass 0.75 kg is on a smooth, horizontal plane. A constant force of magnitude F parallel to the plane is applied to Q. As a result Q moves along the plane with constant acceleration.
What is the acceleration of Q?
(gravitational field strength = )
Object Q of mass 0.75 kg is on a smooth, horizontal plane. A constant force of magnitude F parallel to the plane is applied to Q. As a result Q moves along the plane with constant acceleration.
What is the acceleration of Q?
(gravitational field strength = )
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
- G.
- H.
Answer: G
Question 23
1 markA particular arithmetic series has first term a and common difference d.
The sum of the first k terms of this series is denoted by
Which of the following is a simplification of ?
The sum of the first k terms of this series is denoted by
Which of the following is a simplification of ?
- A.d
- B.2d
- C.2a + d
- D.2a + 2d
- E.2a + nd
- F.2a + 2nd
- G.2a + (2n - 1)d
- H.2a + (4n - 2)d
Answer: G
Question 24
1 markA sound wave is travelling from left to right in air. The diagram represents the wave at a particular instant, and a distance of 33 cm is labelled.

The speed of sound in air is .
What is the frequency of the sound and in which direction has the air at P been displaced from its mean position?
| | frequency of sound / Hz | displacement of air at P |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| A | 1000 | to the left |
| B | 2500 | to the left |
| C | 5000 | to the left |
| D | 1000 | to the right |
| E | 2500 | to the right |
| F | 5000 | to the right |

The speed of sound in air is .
What is the frequency of the sound and in which direction has the air at P been displaced from its mean position?
| | frequency of sound / Hz | displacement of air at P |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| A | 1000 | to the left |
| B | 2500 | to the left |
| C | 5000 | to the left |
| D | 1000 | to the right |
| E | 2500 | to the right |
| F | 5000 | to the right |
- A.frequency of sound / Hz: 1000, displacement of air at P: to the left
- B.frequency of sound / Hz: 2500, displacement of air at P: to the left
- C.frequency of sound / Hz: 5000, displacement of air at P: to the left
- D.frequency of sound / Hz: 1000, displacement of air at P: to the right
- E.frequency of sound / Hz: 2500, displacement of air at P: to the right
- F.frequency of sound / Hz: 5000, displacement of air at P: to the right
Answer: B
Question 25
1 markFind how many distinct real solutions there are to the equation
- A.0
- B.1
- C.2
- D.3
- E.4
Answer: D
Question 26
1 markA resistor R is connected between terminals X and Y in the circuit shown.

The power transferred in the 4.0 heater is 9.0 W.
What is the resistance of R?

The power transferred in the 4.0 heater is 9.0 W.
What is the resistance of R?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
Answer: D
Question 27
1 markThe line divides the circle into two segments.
What is the area of the smaller segment?
What is the area of the smaller segment?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
- G.
- H.
Answer: H
Question 28
1 markA uniform plank of length 5.0 m rests horizontally as shown.
[diagram not to scale]

There is a pivot 1.0 m from one end of the plank.
A cable at an angle of to the horizontal supports the plank at the other end so that it is in equilibrium.
The tension in the cable is 75 N.
What is the weight of the plank?
[diagram not to scale]

There is a pivot 1.0 m from one end of the plank.
A cable at an angle of to the horizontal supports the plank at the other end so that it is in equilibrium.
The tension in the cable is 75 N.
What is the weight of the plank?
- A.60 N
- B. N
- C.100 N
- D. N
- E.125 N
- F. N
Answer: D
Question 29
1 markWhat is the mean of , , and ?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
Answer: E
Question 30
1 markA lorry accelerates along a straight, horizontal road with uniform acceleration.
Oil droplets from the lorry fall a small distance onto the road at a constant rate. The time interval between successive drips is t.
The diagram shows four successive oil droplets on the road after the lorry has passed.

The distance between the first two of these droplets is x and the distance between the final two is y.
Which expression gives the acceleration of the lorry?
Oil droplets from the lorry fall a small distance onto the road at a constant rate. The time interval between successive drips is t.
The diagram shows four successive oil droplets on the road after the lorry has passed.

The distance between the first two of these droplets is x and the distance between the final two is y.
Which expression gives the acceleration of the lorry?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
Answer: B
Question 31
1 markWhich of the following is the largest in value?
(All angles are in radians.)
(All angles are in radians.)
- A.cos 0.5
- B.cos 0.75
- C.cos 1
- D.sin 0.5
- E.sin 0.75
- F.sin 1
Answer: A
Question 32
1 markA light, metal wire of length 2.5 m and cross-sectional area is suspended vertically. A mass of 7.2 kg is attached to the lower end of the wire. The wire extends by 0.50 mm.
What is the Young modulus of the metal and how much energy is stored in the extended wire?
(gravitational field strength = ; assume that the wire obeys Hooke's law and that changes in the cross-sectional area are negligible)
| | Young modulus / Pa | energy stored / J |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| A | | 0.018 |
| B | | 0.036 |
| C | | 0.018 |
| D | | 0.036 |
| E | | 18 |
| F | | 36 |
What is the Young modulus of the metal and how much energy is stored in the extended wire?
(gravitational field strength = ; assume that the wire obeys Hooke's law and that changes in the cross-sectional area are negligible)
| | Young modulus / Pa | energy stored / J |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| A | | 0.018 |
| B | | 0.036 |
| C | | 0.018 |
| D | | 0.036 |
| E | | 18 |
| F | | 36 |
- A.Young modulus / Pa: , energy stored / J: 0.018
- B.Young modulus / Pa: , energy stored / J: 0.036
- C.Young modulus / Pa: , energy stored / J: 0.018
- D.Young modulus / Pa: , energy stored / J: 0.036
- E.Young modulus / Pa: , energy stored / J: 18
- F.Young modulus / Pa: , energy stored / J: 36
Answer: C
Question 33
1 markA geometric progression has first term and common ratio r.
The sum to infinity of the geometric progression is .
The sum to infinity of the even-numbered terms () is .
What is the value of ?
The sum to infinity of the geometric progression is .
The sum to infinity of the even-numbered terms () is .
What is the value of ?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
Answer: B
Question 34
1 markA child of mass 30 kg is on a sledge of mass 10 kg which is moving down a smooth slope at an instantaneous speed of .
At this instant, the child jumps backwards off the sledge and lands stationary on the slope.
What is the speed of the sledge immediately after the child jumps off?
At this instant, the child jumps backwards off the sledge and lands stationary on the slope.
What is the speed of the sledge immediately after the child jumps off?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
Answer: D
Question 35
1 markAt how many distinct points do the following two curves meet?
- A.0
- B.1
- C.2
- D.3
- E.4
- F.5
Answer: C
Question 36
1 markA piece of electrically conducting putty is formed into the shape of a uniform cylinder. The resistance between the ends of the cylinder is R.
The same piece of putty is now formed into a new uniform cylinder with half the diameter of the first cylinder.
What is the resistance between the ends of the new cylinder?
The same piece of putty is now formed into a new uniform cylinder with half the diameter of the first cylinder.
What is the resistance between the ends of the new cylinder?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.2R
- E.4R
- F.8R
- G.16R
Answer: G
Question 37
1 markEvaluate
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
- G.
- H.
Answer: H
Question 38
1 markA car accelerates from rest in a straight line. During the first 10 s, its acceleration, a, in is given by the equation
where t is the time in seconds.
What is its displacement from its original position after 10 s?
where t is the time in seconds.
What is its displacement from its original position after 10 s?
- A.22 m
- B.110 m
- C.136 m
- D.140 m
- E.220 m
- F.1100 m
- G.1360 m
- H.1400 m
Answer: D
Question 39
1 markPQRS is a rectangle.
P and Q lie on the x-axis.
Q and R lie on the line
S lies on the curve
What is the maximum possible area of the rectangle?

P and Q lie on the x-axis.
Q and R lie on the line
S lies on the curve
What is the maximum possible area of the rectangle?

- A.
- B.
- C.50
- D.
- E.100
- F.125
Answer: B
Question 40
1 markTwo trolleys are free to move on a smooth one-dimensional track. A light spring is compressed between the two stationary trolleys, the trolleys are released and then separate.
The trolleys have masses m and 4m and the work done by the spring as it expands is W. Assume that no work is done against frictional forces.
What is the difference in kinetic energy between the two trolleys when the spring has expanded?
The trolleys have masses m and 4m and the work done by the spring as it expands is W. Assume that no work is done against frictional forces.
What is the difference in kinetic energy between the two trolleys when the spring has expanded?
- A.0
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
- F.
- G.
- H.W
Answer: E