Mathematics
IT IS my pleasure to welcome you to the CXC study guide series for this the 2018 to 2019 school year. The national performance, by public schools, in this summer’s CSEC math is 57.8%, representing a significant 7.6% increase compared with last year. This increase in performance this year follows a marginal increase recorded last year. The ongoing building of the capacities of many of the teachers by the Ministry of Education and CXC continued in earnest, with positive impact. Sustaining this trend, however, requires that students continue to take greater responsibility for their education. Effective preparation, beginning at the eearliest moment, is most vital in order to enhance success. OTHER CRITICAL POINTS TO NOTE: Practice is a vital strategy in which students are encouraged to be continuously engaged.
Motivation is the most effective approach in dealing with a student’s fear of mathematics. This strategy requires the continued effort of both parents and teachers.
Students should also endeavour to seek structured support though extra lessons and consistent review of the weekly lessons I present in Youthlink.
To have you adequately prepared for the external examination, I urge you to procure the following materials:
1.SYLLABUS ( EFFECTIVE 2018)
This will inform you of the following:
I Structure of the examination.
I Details of the specific objectives, etc. They provide guidance in the areas in which emphasis should be placed. The syllabus is available at schools or on the CXC website.
2. TEXTBOOK 3. NOTEBOOK
A hardcover book or folder is recommended. Students must ensure that work done throughout the course is kept together so that it may be reviewed at any time, especially just prior to the examinations.
4. PAST-PAPER QUESTIONS
These are available in bookshops.
6. INSTRUMENTS
Geometrical instruments and an electronic calculator will be needed. Both are required in the preparation for, and in the sitting of Paper 02. Students are, therefore, encouraged to procure them, by the latest, the start of the school year so they will be familiar with
their use by the exam period in 2019.
I wish to use this opportunity to commend those students who did well in their 2018 mathematics examination. I suspect that the successful ones were those who were diligent in their preparation. To those who are unsuccessful, there is still another chance. You may wish to register now for the 2019 January sitting of the examination and then commit yourself to effective preparation in the limited time available.
The view is expressed by many that the SBA went very well in its first year, especially when adequate support was provided. Most of the topics promoted the link between various math concepts and real-life situations. For example, some students chose to investigate the size and number of tiles to cover a floor of a given size or students’ preference in patties purchased at tuck shops.
The following is an overview of the format of CSEC math: Paper 1
This paper will consist of 60 multiple-choice items from all sections of the syllabus. The number of items from each of the nine sections is outlined in the syllabus for your review, and you are reminded that it is 90 minutes in duration.
PAPER 2
This paper consists of 10 compulsory structured-type questions. They are based on all sections with the details of allocation of marks outlined in the syllabus. Of note is that 10 marks are awarded for investigation; the question which may be set on any combination of objectives in the syllabus. Please review the syllabus (2 hours and 40 minutes duration).
SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT
School-Based Assessment or Paper 031 for in-school candidates is in the form of a project guided by your teacher. Private candidates are required to sit Paper 032, an alternative to Paper 031 which is of one-hour duration. It comprises two compulsory questions taken from any section or combination of different sections of the syllabus.
Points to note about new structure of the exam: Marks are awarded in the proportion, Paper 01 – 30%, Paper 02 – 50% and Paper 03 – 20%.
The maximum of 20% of the overall marks is available from guided in-school effort (the SBA).
This should make it easier to achieve a good grade with adequate effort.
MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEMS
Students are reminded of the following tips on multiple-choice questions in Paper 01:
The multiple-choice items are less demanding than the essay-type questions.
Random guessing is not recommended, as most distracters are selected based on the usual errors made by students.
A good performance on this paper is necessary to ensure success in the exam.
Please be sure to include this type of questions in your revision schedule. Let me once again reaffirm how critical it is to use the specific objectives found in the syllabus as a basis for your preparation.
Please attempt the following multiple-choice items.
1. Write 3/4 as a decimal. (a) 0.75
(b) 0.075
(c) 0.008
(d) 0.0008
2. When expressed to the nearest thousand, 37,545 becomes (a) 37,000
(b) 37,500
(c) 38,000
(d) 40,000
3. 79.96 x 0.5 is approximately (a) 0.4
(b) 4
(c) 40
(d) 160
4. If 5p is an odd number, which of the following is an even number?
(a) 5p - 2
(b) 5p + 2
(c) 5p + 4 (d) 5p - 1
5. Find the sum of the prime numbers between 2 and 13. (a) 26
(b) 35
(c) 41
(d) 50
6. Find the LCM of 4, 12, and 20. (a) 2
(b) 4
(c) 60
(d) 12
7. What is the next term in the sequence 3, 5, 8, 12, 17 ....... (a) 23
(b) 20
(c) 22
(d) 21
8. Given the diagram:
The number of squares shown in the diagram is: (a)9
(b) 10
(c) 14
(d) 15
9. The square root of 2,009 lies between: (a) 13 and 14
(b) 14 and 15
(c) 15 and 16
(d) 16 and 17.
10. Which of the following numbers is a prime: (a) 354
(b) 655
(c) 156
(d) 157
Once again, I wish you all the best as we embark on this important journey together.
Clement Radcliffe is an independent contributor. Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com.