MATHS - HIGHER This course aims to prepare students for the study of maths, science or engineering at university by building on the mathematical knowledge and skills developed at National 5 level. A National 5 Mathematics pass. It should be noted that a C pass in National 5 is not a strong basis for progression in one year at this level. It should also be made clear that any pass in National 5 Lifeskills Mathematics does not provide a progression route to Higher. Expressions and Functions, covering types of functions and their related graphs, trigonometric graphs and vectors Relationships and Calculus covering quadratics, polynomials, trigonometric equations, differentiation and integration Applications covering straight line, circles, recurrence relations and applying calculus. select and apply mathematical techniques in a variety of mathematical, both practical and abstract extend and apply their skills in problem solving and logical thinking extend their skills in interpreting, analysing, communicating and managing information in mathematical form clarify their thinking through introduction of mathematical proof. The course is well supported by textbooks and other commercial resources. There are many sources of help online for study at this level. A heavy emphasis will be placed on independent learning, revision and consolidation. Each topic has a formal assessment which must be passed. In addition, students will sit a prelim on in January covering around two thirds of the course and late prelim in March, which matches the format of the final exam. The demands of this course are considerable, with students being expected to complete a good deal of work at home. A weekly quota of 3 4 hours should be considered a minimum commitment. A pass at grade A or B would allow progression to Advanced Higher. Higher Maths is allocated 24 SCQF credit points at SCQF Level 6. 24
MATHS NATIONAL 5 This course aims to provide students with a broad mathematical understanding and to build on previous knowledge and understanding. Candidates must be secure with all aspects of Level 4 experiences and outcomes or have passed National 4 Maths. S4 candidates will have experienced some National 5 topics in S3 as part of their broad, general education. It is likely that candidates choosing this course in S5 will have completed some National 5 Maths work during S4. S5 candidates who have not done so would be recommended to choose National 5 Lifeskills Maths instead. Expressions and Formulae covering surds and indices, brackets and factorising, algebraic fractions and areas & volumes Relationships covering straight line, solving equations & rearranging formulae, simultaneous equations, quadratic equations and their graphs, Pythagoras, circle, trigonometric graphs and equations. Applications covering trigonometry in triangles, vectors, fractions and percentages and statistics. select and apply mathematical techniques in a variety of mathematical, both practical and abstract extend and apply their skills in problem solving and logical thinking extend their skills in interpreting, analysing, communicating and managing information in mathematical form The course is well supported by textbooks and other commercial resources. Some emphasis will be placed on independent learning, revision and consolidation. Students will be encouraged to work together to develop their understanding. Each unit has a formal assessment which must be passed. In January, students will tackle a prelim covering at least 2 units of work. A late prelim will be given in March which matches the format of the final exam: a non-calculator paper and 2 nd paper in which calculators may be used. If candidates are unable to complete these assessments successfully in S4, they will have the opportunity to gain an award at National 4 level. Students are expected to complete a reasonable of work at home on set homework, revision and consolidation. A weekly quota of 2 3 hours should be considered a minimum commitment. A pass at grade A or B would allow progression to Higher. National 5 Maths is allocated 24 SCQF credit points at SCQF Level 5. 25
MATHS NATIONAL 4 This course aims to provide students with a broad mathematical understanding and to build on previous knowledge and understanding. Certification in this course, in the main, provides a safety net for those pupils who are unsuccessful in National 5 Maths in S4. Candidates must be secure in all aspects of Level 3 experiences and outcomes and have tackled a significant amount of Level 4 work in S3. Students who have achieved National 3 Lifeskills Maths in S4 should choose National 4 Lifeskills Maths instead. Expressions and Formulae covering manipulating and evaluating expressions, patterns and formulae, perimeter and area, symmetry, graphs and charts and probability Relationships covering solving equations, rearranging formulae, Pythagoras, scale, angles, trigonometry and scatter plots Numeracy covering basic arithmetic operations, negative numbers, rounding, percentages and fractions, proportion, time, area and volume, measurement, using graphs and charts and probability. Select and apply straightforward mathematical skills in a variety of mathematical and real-life Use numerical data and abstract terms Interpret, communicate and manage information in mathematical form, supporting success in science and technology Use mathematical language and explore straightforward mathematical ideas The course is well supported by textbooks and other commercial resources. Some emphasis will be placed on independent learning, revision and consolidation. Students will be encouraged to work together to develop their understanding. Each unit has a formal assessment which must be passed. In addition, there is a final Added Value assessment which contains a non-calculator paper and 2 nd paper in which calculators may be used. This is graded as pass or fail. One re-attempt will be allowed. consolidation. A weekly quota of 1 2 hours should be considered a minimum commitment. A pass would allow progression to National 5 Maths or National 5 Lifeskills Maths. National 4 Maths is allocated 24 SCQF credit points at SCQF Level 4. 26
LIFESKILLS MATHS NATIONAL 5 This course aims to provide students with a practical mathematical understanding for life and work, and to build on previous knowledge and understanding. Candidates must be secure with Level 4 experiences and outcomes or have completed National 4 Lifeskills Maths or National 4 Maths. It is likely that this course will be taken by S5/6 candidates. Finance and Statistics covering wages, savings, budgeting, currency conversion and finding the best deal, risk assessment and using statistics Geometry and Measures covering using formulae, scale drawings, navigation, solving packing problems, time management, tolerance, gradient, perimeter, area and volume, Pythagoras and comparing data sets Numeracy covering arithmetic methods, decimals, percentages and fractions, speed, distance and time calculations, ratio, proportion, measurement, making decisions based on trends in data and probability. The course is designed to enable students to: Select and apply mathematical techniques to tackle a range of real-life problems and Select, apply, combine and adapt mathematical operational skills to new and unfamiliar in life and work Use mathematical reasoning skills to generalise, build arguments, draw logical conclusions, assess risk and make informed decisions Analyse, interpret and present a range of information Think creatively and in abstract ways. Some aspects of the course are covered by textbooks and other commercial resources, others will be tackled through cooperative, practical projects where students are encouraged to work together to develop their understanding. Some emphasis will be placed on independent learning, revision and consolidation. Each unit has a formal assessment which must be passed. In January, students will tackle a prelim covering at least 2 units of work. A late prelim will be given in March which matches the format of the final exam: a non-calculator paper and 2 nd paper in which calculators may be used. If candidates are unable to complete these assessments successfully, they will have the opportunity to gain an award at National 4 level. consolidation. A weekly quota of 2 3 hours should be considered a minimum commitment. This course is designed as a preparation for life and work outside school, and is the highest level of award in Lifeskills Maths. Please note that this course does not provide progression to Higher Maths. Candidates who wish to study further maths could choose the National 5 Mathematics course. National 5 Lifeskills Maths is allocated 24 SCQF credit points at SCQF Level 5. 27
LIFESKILLS MATHS NATIONAL 4 This course aims to provide students with a practical mathematical understanding for life and work, and to build on previous knowledge and understanding. Candidates must be secure with all aspects of Level 3 experiences and outcomes or have passed National 3 Lifeskills Maths. Finance and Statistics covering wages, savings, budgeting, currency conversion and finding the best deal, risk assessment and using statistics Geometry and Measures covering using formulae, scale drawings, navigation, solving packing problems, time management, tolerance, gradient, perimeter, area and volume, Pythagoras and comparing data sets Numeracy covering basic arithmetic operations, negative numbers, rounding, percentages and fractions, proportion, time, area and volume, measurement, using graphs and charts and probability. The course is designed to enable students to: Select and apply mathematical techniques to tackle a range of real-life problems and Select, apply, combine and adapt mathematical operational skills to new and unfamiliar in life and work Use mathematical reasoning skills to generalise, build arguments, draw logical conclusions, assess risk and make informed decisions Analyse, interpret and present a range of information. Some aspects of the course are covered by textbooks and other commercial resources, others will be tackled through cooperative, practical projects where students are encouraged to work together to develop their understanding. Some emphasis will be placed on independent learning, revision and consolidation. Each unit has a formal assessment which must be passed. In addition, there is a final Added Value assessment which contains a non-calculator paper and 2 nd paper in which calculators may be used. This is graded as pass or fail. One re-attempt will be allowed. consolidation. A weekly quota of 1 2 hours should be considered a minimum commitment. This course is designed as a preparation for life and work outside school, but a pass can also lead on to Lifeskills Mathematics at National 5 level. Please note that these courses do not provide progression to Higher Maths. National 4 Lifeskills Maths is allocated 24 SCQF credit points at SCQF Level 4. 28