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Assessment Specifications
Level 2 Mathematics and Statistics 2023
General information
Method of assessment |
Written examination |
Standards |
Information relating to all achievement standards
Questions may have only one opportunity for Excellence.
Teachers should be familiar with the two documents listed below:
Candidates will be expected to:
- give answers that demonstrate an understanding of the mathematical concepts in the solving of problems
- choose their method when solving a problem, although the grade awarded may be affected by the level of thinking shown in solving the problem; guess-and-check methods are unlikely to show the required level of thinking.
- show any working that is asked for in the assessment
- use a range of methods from Explanatory Note 4
- understand the use of a letter such as “k” to represent a constant or coefficient
- be familiar with mathematical terms such as indices, exponents, tangents, proportion, etc.
- give more than just the correct answer, as this will generally not be sufficient for showing evidence of the level of thinking required by the standard.
Marking notes
- Some question parts will give the opportunity to gain a grade at any level of achievement as long as the candidate gives enough evidence of their thinking.
- Minor errors will not cause the grade to be reduced unless they directly relate to the methods listed in the standard, e.g. expansion of (x + 4)(x – 3) to give x2 + x + 12 cannot be identified as an algebraic or numerical error and, therefore, cannot be accepted.
- Rounding in context may be required.
- The answer from one question part may be required in answering subsequent parts. In this case, consistency of response will be assessed as being correct, provided:
- the solution is not an essential component of the standard and
- using the incorrect solution does not make the question much easier to solve.
Equipment
Candidates will require an approved calculator (preferably a graphing calculator). Candidates who do not have access to graphing calculators will be disadvantaged.
Resources or information provided
A Level 2 Mathematics Formulae Sheet, including normal distribution table, will be provided.
Content / context details
Solutions for problems may require knowledge up to and including Mathematics Curriculum Level 6. At higher levels of achievement, solutions for problems may require content knowledge from other areas of Level 2 Mathematics.
Questions may be set in a mathematical context and may require candidates to interpret their solutions in context.
Specific information for individual achievement standards
Standard |
91261 |
Domain |
Algebra |
Title |
Apply algebraic methods in solving problems |
Version |
3 |
Number of credits |
4 |
Any equations formed must be stated as part of solving a problem.
Algebraic techniques must be shown, as opposed to simply providing the correct answer.
Answers should be expressed in their simplest algebraic form.
Given the form of a model, candidates may be required to complete the model using the information given in the context of the question.
Candidates may be required to:
- form and solve exponential equations relating to compound interest, growth and decay, etc.
- understand the meaning of rational (fractional) numbers in regards to the roots of equations.
Standard |
91262 |
Domain |
Calculus |
Title |
Apply calculus methods in solving problems |
Version |
3 |
Number of credits |
5 |
Where a derivative or an anti-derivative is an essential part of the solution of a problem, it should be shown as part of the justification of the solution.
Answers should be expressed in their simplest algebraic form.
An understanding of the terms “local maximum / minimum” is assumed.
Candidates may be required to:
- draw the graph of the gradient of a function having been given the graph of the function, or vice versa
- justify the nature of the maximum or minimum points, e.g. by using the shape of curve, by using the second derivative, or by testing points
- form their own polynomials.
Standard |
91267 |
Domain |
Probability |
Title |
Apply probability methods in solving problems |
Version |
3 |
Number of credits |
4 |
Probabilities may be expected to be calculated from one or more tables, written information, or a probability tree.
Questions may require knowledge of inverse normal calculations.
In describing and comparing distributions (from given statistics or graphs), answers should include reference to the:
- shape of the graph
- the centre of the distribution(s)
- the spread of the data.
Questions may include concepts such as risk or relative risk that can be answered by using informal or intuitive methods.
“Skewness” can be described informally, e.g. “the peak is shifted to the left”. If the technical term “skew” is used, it should be used correctly.