SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY – MAY 2012 CURRICULUM EVENTS – COURSE AIMS AND STRUCTURE
SUBJECT:
MATHEMATICS
PURPOSE:
These Courses are designed to develop the learner’s skills in using mathematical language and techniques, to explore
mathematical ideas and concepts.
National 3
National 4
The Course aims to:
 motivate and challenge learners by
enabling them to select and apply
straightforward mathematical skills in a
variety of mathematical and real-life
situations
 develop confidence in the subject and a
positive attitude towards further study in
mathematics
 enable the use of numerical data and
abstract terms and develop the idea of
generalisation
 allow learners to interpret, communicate
and manage information in mathematical
form; skills which are vital to scientific and
technological research and development
 develop the learner’s skills in using
mathematical language and to explore
straightforward mathematical ideas
 develop skills relevant to learning, life and
work in an engaging and enjoyable way
National 5
COURSE AIMS
The Course aims to:
 motivate and challenge learners by
enabling them to select and apply
mathematical techniques in a variety of
mathematical and real-life situations
 develop confidence in the subject and a
positive attitude towards further study
in mathematics
 develop skills in manipulation of abstract
terms in order to solve problems and to
generalise
 allow learners to interpret,
communicate and manage information
in mathematical form; skills which are
vital to scientific and technological
research and development
 develop the learner’s skills in using
mathematical language and to explore
mathematical ideas
 develop skills relevant to learning, life
and work in an engaging and enjoyable
way
Higher
The Course aims to:
 motivate and challenge learners by
enabling them to select and apply
mathematical techniques in a variety of
mathematical situations
 develop confidence in the subject and a
positive attitude towards further study
in mathematics and the use of
mathematics in employment
 deliver in-depth study of mathematical
concepts and the ways in which
mathematics describes our world
 allow learners to interpret,
communicate and manage information
in mathematical form; skills which are
vital to scientific and technological
research and development
 deepen the learner’s skills in using
mathematical language and exploring
advanced mathematical ideas
National 3
National 4
National 5
Higher
STRUCTURE, ASSESSMENT AND HIERARCHIES
Course Structure:
Units and Added Value Unit
 Mathematics: Expressions and Formulae
1) Use mathematical operational skills
linked to expressions and formulae
2) Use mathematical reasoning skills
linked to expressions and formulae
 Mathematics: Relationships
1) Use mathematical operational skills
linked to relationships
2) Use mathematical reasoning skills
linked to relationships
 Numeracy
1) Use numerical skills to solve
straightforward, real-life problems
involving money/time/ measurement
2) Interpret graphical data and
situations involving probability to
solve straightforward, real-life
problems involving
money/time/measurement
Course Structure:
Units and Course Assessment
Course Structure:
Units and Course Assessment
 Mathematics: Expressions and
Formulae
1) Use mathematical operational skills
linked to expressions and formulae
2) Use mathematical reasoning skills
linked to expressions and formulae
 Mathematics: Expressions and
Functions
1) Use mathematical operational skills
linked to expressions and functions
2) Use mathematical reasoning skills
linked to expressions and functions
 Mathematics: Relationships
1) Use mathematical operational skills
linked to relationships
2) Use mathematical reasoning skills
linked to relationships
 Mathematics: Relationships and
Calculus
1) Use mathematical operational skills
linked to relationships and calculus
2) Use mathematical reasoning skills
linked to relationships and calculus
 Mathematics: Applications
1) Use mathematical operational skills
linked to applications
2) Use mathematical reasoning skills
linked to applications
 Mathematics: Applications
1) Use mathematical operational skills
linked to applications
2) Use mathematical reasoning skills
linked to applications
National 3
National 4
and Added Value Unit
National 5
Higher
and Course Assessment:
and Course Assessment:
Mathematics: Test
1) Apply mathematical skills in
straightforward contexts
Question Paper (Non Calculator) and
Question Paper (Calculator)
Question Paper (Non Calculator) and
Question Paper (Calculator)
In a Hierarchy
In a Hierarchy
In a Hierarchy
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
This Course will develop learners’ ability to:
This Course will develop learners’ ability to:
This Course will develop learners’ ability to:
 understand and use straightforward
mathematical concepts and relationships
 select and apply straightforward
operational skills in algebra, geometry,
trigonometry and statistics within
familiar mathematical contexts
 select and apply straightforward skills in
numeracy
 use straightforward mathematical
models
 use mathematical reasoning skills to
interpret information presented in
straightforward ways, to select a strategy
to solve a problem, and to communicate
solutions
 understand and use mathematical
concepts and relationships
 select and apply operational skills in
algebra, geometry, trigonometry and
statistics within mathematical contexts
 select and apply skills in numeracy
 use mathematical models
 use mathematical reasoning skills to
interpret information, to select a
strategy to solve a problem, and to
communicate solutions
 understand and use a range of complex
mathematical concepts and
relationships
 select and apply operational skills in
algebra, geometry, trigonometry,
calculus and statistics within
mathematical contexts
 select and apply skills in numeracy
 use mathematical reasoning skills to
extract and interpret information and
to use complex mathematical models
 use mathematical reasoning skills to
think logically, provide justification or
proof and solve problems
 communicate mathematical
information with complex features