It is hard to believe that the Year 12 students have just completed their last week of classes and now they are about to embark on ‘SWOT VAC’ before their final examinations commence in approximately two weeks.

To prepare for the Mathematics examinations, it is important that the girls attempt as many trial examinations as possible. We often quote that it is like preparing for the Olympics. The more often you practise the skills needed, the more efficiently and accurately you will be able to apply them when it is the ‘real thing’.

The Year 12 Mathematical Methods students sitting their final SAC based on Probability Theory.

The start of the Mathematics examinations is on Friday 2 November when the Further Mathematics students sit Examination 1. This 90 minute examination comprises multiple-choice questions and is designed to assess students’ knowledge of mathematical concepts, models and techniques and their ability to reason, interpret, and apply this knowledge in a range of contexts. Their second examination, also 90 minutes long, is on Monday 5 November. This examination comprises written response questions and is designed to assess students’ ability to select and apply mathematical facts, concepts, models and techniques to solve extended application problems in a range of contexts. Each of these papers contribute 33 per cent to their final mark and students are allowed to use both their CAS and notes in both papers.

The next round of Mathematics examinations is for the Mathematical Methods students. These are on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 November. The first paper is 60 minutes long, with neither CAS nor notes, and comprises short-answer and some extended-answer questions. It is designed to assess students’ knowledge of mathematical concepts, their skills in carrying out mathematical algorithms without the use of technology and their ability to apply concepts and skills. It contributes 22 per cent.

The second examination comprises multiple-choice questions and extended-answer questions and students may use both CAS and notes. The examination is designed to assess students’ ability to understand and communicate mathematical ideas, and to interpret, analyse and solve both routine and non-routine problems. It contributes 44 per cent.

The final round of Mathematics examinations is for Specialist Mathematics. These papers are on Friday 9 and Monday 12 November. The format of these papers is identical to that of Methods.

We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Year 12 cohort and wish them all the very best as they commence the final phase of their schooling.