O-Level Mathematics Syllabus (4052)

Introduction to O-Level Mathematics Syllabus

The O-Level Mathematics syllabus is intended to provide students with fundamental mathematical knowledge and skills. The content is organised into three strands namely, Number and Algebra, Geometry and Measurement, and Statistics and Probability. Besides conceptual understanding and skill proficiency explicated in the content strands, important mathematical processes such as reasoning, communication and application (including the use of models) are also emphasised and assessed.

Aims of O-Level Mathematics

The O-Level Mathematics syllabus aims to enable all students to:

acquire mathematical concepts and skills for continuous learning in mathematics and to support learning in other subjects
develop thinking, reasoning, communication, application and metacognitive skills through a mathematical approach to problem-solving
connect ideas within mathematics and between mathematics and other subjects through applications of mathematics
build confidence and foster interest in mathematics.

Assessment Objectives

The assessment will test candidates’ abilities to:

AO1 Use and apply standard techniques

recall and use facts, terminology and notation
read and use information directly from tables, graphs, diagrams and texts carry out routine mathematical procedures

AO2 Solve problems in a variety of contexts

interpret information to identify the relevant mathematics concept, rule or formula to use
translate information from one form to another
make and use connections across topics/subtopics
formulate problems into mathematical terms
analyse and select relevant information and apply appropriate mathematical techniques to solve problems
interpret results in the context of a given problem

AO3 Reason and communicate mathematically

justify mathematical statements
provide an explanation in the context of a given problem
write mathematical arguments

Approximate weightings for the assessment objectives are as follows:

AO1	45%
AO2	40%
AO3	15%

Scheme of Assessment

The examination consists of one paper, with a duration of 3 hours. The paper is assessed by a compulsory source-based case study and essay questions.

SPECIFICATION GRID
The Cold War and the Modern World (1945–1991)
(3hrs, 100 marks, 100% weighting)

Paper	Duration	Description	Marks	Weighting
Paper 1	2 hours 15 minutes	There will be about 26 short answer questions. Candidates are required to answer all questions	90	50%
Paper 2	2 hours 15 minutes	There will be 9 to 10 questions of varying marks and lengths. The last question in this paper will focus specifically on applying mathematics to a real-world scenario. Candidates are required to answer all questions.	90	50%

NOTES

Omission of essential work will result in loss of marks
Relevant mathematical formulae will be provided for candidates.
Candidates should also have geometrical instruments with them for both papers.
Give non-exact numerical answers correct to 3 significant figures, or 1 decimal place in the case of angles in degrees, unless a different level of accuracy is specified in the question. In questions which explicitly require an answer to be shown to be correct to a specific accuracy, the answer must be first shown to a higher degree of accuracy.
SI units will be used in questions involving mass and measures. Both the 12-hour and 24-hour clock may be used for quoting times of the day. In the 24-hour clock, for example, 3.15 a.m. will be denoted by 03 15; 3.15 p.m. by 15 15.
Candidates are expected to be familiar with the solidus notation for the expression of compound units, e.g. 5 cm/s for 5 centimetres per second, 13.6 g/cm3 for 13.6 grams per cubic centimetre.
Unless the question requires the answer in terms of π, the calculator value for π or π = 3.142 should be used.
Spaces will be provided in each question paper for working and answers.

Problems in Real World Contexts

Notwithstanding the presentation of the topics in 3 separate strands in the syllabus document, it is envisaged that some examination questions (including the extended problem involving real-world contexts at the end of Paper 2) may integrate ideas from more than one topic.

Problems in real-world contexts may be based on contexts:

In everyday life (including travel/excursion plans, transport schedules, sports and games, recipes, floor plans, navigation etc.)
Involving personal and household finance (including simple and compound interest, taxation, instalments, utilities bills, money exchange, etc.)

These problems may also require:

Interpreting and analysing data from tables and graphs, including distance-time and speed-time graphs;
Interpreting the solution in the context of the problem.

Use of Calculators

An approved calculator may be used in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Full O-Level Mathematics syllabus details can be read in the SEAB O-Level Mathematics Syllabus.