Ok so this was given to me by my maths teacher who's an HSC marker and always sharing stories of when she has been marking. Thought it might help some people
there may be the odd typo, I'll go over in the morning
All DoneThe following information has been compiled to assist with preparation for the HSC examinations for all the mathematics courses, These suggestions come from experiences HSC markers
1. Show ALL working out; even simple things like y=180+50=230. If you did something in your head or by calculator WRITE IT DOWN! If your final answer is incorrect, the marker will search for evidence of the process you used. The markers are encouraged to reward students.
A bald answer is one given without working. An incorrect bald answer will always score 0. Usually a correct bald answer will score full marks, but sometimes it won't, especially if the question is worth more than 1 mark.
Do your working DOWN the page, in one column, leaving room down the right hand side for the marker. Leave a few lines between each solution.
2. Don't use liquid paper. It is a waste of time and you might cover up a correct answer. Some students who use liquid paper forget to write down the correct answer down when the liquid paper dries. If you have 2 different ways to answer a question, write them both, then choose the one you like the best and put a single line or cross through the other. Sometimes marks are awarded for responses that have been crossed out. Sometimes full marks are awarded for incorrect answers if the working clearly shows that the correct process was used.
3. Watch out for numerical and algebraic errors. These can be expensive. When you solve an equation or inequality, check your solution(s) by substituting your solution(s) into the ORIGINAL equation.
4. Watch out for double-bungers: A single question that asks you to do 2 things. Also, check what the question says about rounding your answer. Read the question, write the important information on your answer sheet, do the question, then read the question again to see if your answer is reasonable. Write a short statement at the end of your working so your answer is obvious to the marker.
5. Look at the number of marks available. Most maths questions are only worth 1,2 or 3 marks and should not require more than a page of working. Some students in the 2002 HSC wrote pages of working for working for a 2 mark question. THINK BEFORE YOU WRITE!
6.Don't forget to bring the correct equipment, including a decent 30cm ruler. When you draw a graph, use a rules for the axes and choose a sensible scale for each axis. You don't need the same scale on both axes. Try to make graphs and diagrams one-third to half a page in size. As you move through the question, keep adding information to the diagram. A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS. Use pencil for diagrams and graphs so you can easily change them, but use pen for everything else. If your answer to a question comes from a graph, write "from the graph" after your answer and clearly indicate the point you used on the graph. This way you will get the marks even if your graphs is incorrect.
7. In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of questions asking students to EXPLAIN, JUSTIFY OR COMPARE AND CONTRAST. In most cases these are looking for a paragraph or two. A good response might include words, diagrams, graphs, tables and mathematical symbols. Your target audience: Imaging you are trying to explain something in a letter to somebody who knows a bit less about the topic than you do. If its worth 3 marks, try to make at least 3 important points.
8. You will often be asked to round off an answer. If you need that answer for the next question, DON'T use the rounded answer. Learn how to use the memory of your calculator or the ANS button so that you can use the exact answer in the following calculations.
9. If your answer is a long decimal, write it down, THEN round off:
AB=3.4512......
AB= 3.45km (to 2 decimal places)
Questions involving money should be rounded to 2 decimal places (ie nearest cent), NOT nearest 5 or 10 cents or dollar. Number of people or koalas should be nearest whole number.
10. Label all your solutions carefully: Eg 3(b)(iv)
11. Write clearly using blue or black pen. Don't write on the back of the pages
12. Quite often you need the answer for part (i) to do part (ii). If you can't do (i), invent a reasonable answer for (i) and use that in (ii). You will get no marks for (i) but you will probably get FULL marks for (ii) if you show all working, even thought your answer will be incorrect.
13. Use SOH CAH TOA and Pythagoras in right-angled triangles. Use sine rule and cosine rule in non right-angled triangles.
For Maths (2 unit), Ext1 and Ext2 Students
14. Be sure about when to use DEG and when to use RAD and check that your calculator is in the correct mode before you press the buttons.
15. There is a list of Standard Integrals attached to your question booklet. Make yourself familiar with the list and remember to use it. Some students detach it and put it in the corner of their desk. There are some integrals towards the bottom of the list that are not actually part of the 2 Unit course, but occasionally you will find a question that asks you to use one (see 2 unit HSC 1997, Question 1(e))
16. A collection of common errors and misconceptions:
(i)is equal to
not
(ii)is equal to
and
is equal to
but
(iii)is not equal to
is not equal to
(iv)is not equal to
, which really means nothing if it is not followed by a number or letter
is not equal to
(v)can be changed to
but you can't get rid of
completely.
Likewise,is not
(vi) the equationhas 3 solutions:
the equationonly has 2 solutions:
(vii)is not equal to
(viii)is equal to
, not
(ix)is equal to
, not
(x)is equal to
, not
(xi)is equal to
or
, not
(xii)is equal to
or
, not
(xiii)IS equal to
but
(note that is e to the power of x to the power of 3)
there may be the odd typo, I'll go over in the morning
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