June 2012 exams update:
Exam tips – how students can make best use of answer books
June 2012 Use of Maths
Unit code | Title | Numbering system | Type of | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
UOM4/1 | Applying Mathematics Paper 1 | Conventional | Combined | 12 |
UOM4/2 | Applying Mathematics Paper 2 | Conventional | Combined | 20 |
General advice
Students should:
- read all instructions on the front cover and at the start of each section of the question paper
- read each question carefully before responding, especially where there are optional question(s)
- remember that questions can appear on all pages of a question paper, including the final page.
Combined question paper answer books
Students should look at the number of marks and the line space allocated to each question and write answers of an appropriate length.
If a student needs more space to answer a question, they must:
either use the white space immediately beneath the lined answer space and before the start of the next question
or ask for an AQA four-page Supplementary answer book.
They should not:
- use the answer space for a different question
- write in the margin
- respond elsewhere in the answer book.
Separate answer books and the two-digit numbering system
Students worked well with the two-digit numbering system and separate answer books in 2011 exams; thank you for ensuring that the guidance was applied successfully. We have updated our guides for students, teachers and exams officers / invigilators to reflect the general advice given above.
A reminder: question paper style and marking answers on screen
Exams with separate question papers and answer books (unconstrained answer books) will use:
- our simplified, two-digit question numbering system
- answer books with spaces for students to write the two-digit question numbers.
For additional guidance see:
- Teacher Guide (revised)
- Exams officer and invigilator Guide (revised)
- Student Guide (revised)
- Question papers and mark schemes:
- Summer 2011 materials are available to schools / colleges in the Secure Key Materials area of e-AQA
- Specimen materials are available from the subject pages of aqa.org.uk
- Examples of students' work:
- AQA Research team papers: Marking answers on screen
- Reliability of on-screen marking of essays
- A concurrent approach to estimating the reliability of electronic marking of long form answers
- Using the Think Aloud Method to investigate electronic marking of long form answers
- The impact of e-marking on Enquiries After Results 2006/2007
- The impact of e-marking on Enquiries After Results 2005/2006
Archive
Noticeboard 1
Mathematics for post-16s – have your say
The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, has asked the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME) to advise on the development of a course for post-16 students who do not take A-level Maths. More information can be found on the ACME website, together with an online questionnaire. The deadline for responses is 23 March 2012.
Accreditation Extended
A-level Mathematics, A-level Statistics, AS Use of Mathematics, A-level Use of Mathematics (pilot) and Advanced FSMQs are now accredited to 2014.
A-level Use of Mathematics pilot
This A-level, which uses pilot Advanced FSMQs as some of the components, still has room for new centres. For more information, contact the A-level Mathematics team.
A-level Mathematics Question Papers
All A-level Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics and Use of Mathematics and Advanced FSMQ examinations now use combined question paper/answer books. Please read our advice about how to use this new style of answer book.
Secure Key Materials
Secure Key Materials is a new e-AQA service which replaces Recent Exam Materials from 1 September. It provides teachers and Exams Officers with exclusive access to a bank of exam-related material that is:
- secure
- easy to navigate
- quick to use
- intuitive, based on the design of our website.
Please read our new leaflet and look at the following demo to find out more about this new service.
To obtain an e-AQA account and access to Secure Key Materials, please register at e-AQA. For more information about the materials published on Secure Key Materials, please don't hesitate to contact the Subject team.
Support materials for teachers of AS and A2 Mathematics, Statistics and FSMQ
Visit the Nuffield Foundation's website to see their exemplar coursework tasks, schemes of work and support materials
Read/download information regarding the recognition of FSMQs and AS Use of Maths.
Unit 6990 Using and Applying Statistics: calculators
Read/download a warning regarding the unsuitability of the Texas Instruments TI-82 calculator for teaching this unit.
Information about the pilot full A level in Use of Maths is available from Maths Pathways, if you are interested in joining the pilot or are already participating in it.
Incomplete Portfolios
Guidance for penalising incomplete portfolios has been published on the Foundation FSMQ and Intermediate FSMQ pages of the Website. Similar penalties apply at Advanced level.
January 2009 series onwards
(Examinations Update Issue 36)
A revised AS qualification and new A-level
(Examinations Update Issue 34)
Performance points for FSMQ and AS Use of Maths
From 2007 Examination (Autumn 2006 teaching), FSMQ and AS Use of Mathematics will count towards centres' Achievement and Attainment Tables (formerly known as Performance Tables). QCA have approved performance points for each level and grade.
Advanced unit 6994: Using and Applying Decision Mathematics
Specimen assessment material for the advanced unit 6994: Using and Applying Decision Mathematics is now available on the FSMQ Advanced Level Assessment Materials page. This is a new unit available for first examination in Summer 2007, both as a stand alone FSMQ and also as an alternative option to statistics and calculus in AS Use of Mathematics. You can read the subject content in the 2007 Advanced FSMQ and Use of Mathematics specifications.
Information about Examination Officers' conferences, meetings for teachers and meetings introducing new qualifications and subjects happening now and in the near future.
