So you've received your SPM results and now preparing for the next stage.
Welcome to university life! You are on your way to being a Pre-University student, woohoo!
As you take a look at your results and think about what you intend to pursue in the future, you can't help but fix your eyes on your Mathematics and Additional Mathematics grade.
A for both papers! That's an amazing feat and also a clear indication that you are good at Maths.
After several considerations, you have decided to enrol for your A-Level studies and continue to take Maths as a subject before pursuing a Maths related degree. Right now, you probably want to learn more about A-Level Maths in general and how the paper is graded differently from SPM level.
You're in the right place. Sit back and continue to read this article on the significance of learning the marking scheme of A-Level Maths papers.
Where Are Some Good College/Universities In Malaysia To Take Your A-Level Studies?
Before we go into that, we would like to offer you some recommendations on where to enrol for your A-Level studies in Malaysia. Here are 3 reputable higher learning institutions that offer good A-Level programmes.
a) Taylor's College
- Location: Subang Jaya
- Intakes: February, April, Advance August (July), August
- Fees: RM 32,951 for 3 subjects and RM 43,718 for 4 subjects
b) UCSI College
- Location: Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
- Intakes: January, May and July
- Fees: RM25,020 for 3 subjects and RM30,000 for 4 subjects
c) Methodist College Kuala Lumpur
- Location: Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur
- Intakes: January, July & September
- Fees: RM20,700 for 3 subjects and RM22800 for 4 subjects
Check out the latest A-Level Maths exam format as you continue reading this article.
How To Improve Your Comprehension for A-Level Maths Topics With A Math Tutor?
As a Pre-University student, the first year of college or university might be a little overwhelming. It could be even more stressful when you find yourself in a big class of 80 to 100 students and frantically listening to your lecturer go through their slides without a break for your A-Level Maths lessons.
Photo by ICSA
While studying on your own is amazing (and widely encouraged to foster independence), it is even better to invest your time and energy in self-paced learning with a reliable Maths tutor.
With so many tutoring platforms to choose from, it can be quite a tedious process to connect with the tutor of your desire.
This is where we come in.
Let Superprof address your needs when it comes to flexible and effective private tutoring! Superprof is a globally recognized and student-friendly platform that connects students to amazing tutors for the best learning experience.
You can easily find an experienced Maths tutor who offers physical A-Level Maths lessons at your city or affordable online lessons at your preferred time through an effective filtering system at the Superprof website. From there, you can slowly browse through the tutors' profiles to find out more information on their teaching methodology, teaching experience and hourly rate.
Trust us when we say that investing in private tutoring is the one of the best decisions that you can make as a university student. Here's why.
Apart from tutoring you on the topics that you need extra guidance in, your Math tutor can help you in these areas.
a) Analysing your progress by doing past year questions
You can expect lots of past year questions exercise during and in between your Maths tutoring sessions. Solely doing the questions is not enough, you have to know what types of questions are commonly asked and what is the most effective method to answer them. For instance, if you noticed that you are weaker in probability topics, you can discuss with your tutor how to strengthen your understanding to do better in the next round.
b) Reviewing the marking scheme during the grading process
Another way to improve your performance for your A-Level Maths paper is by reviewing the marking scheme of past year's papers and comparing them with your answers after completing them.
From there, you'll know why you are not given the full mark or why your working is not accepted when you're answering the question. You will also know what the examiners are looking for specifically in terms of your working and presentation of final answers.
c) Taking notes from examiners' reports to avoid unnecessary mistakes
The marking scheme is not the only thing that you can refer to when it comes to analysing your A-Level Maths paper. Do you know that you can easily download the examiners' reports on past year papers on the official website of Cambridge International Education for all the tested subjects?
The report contains complete and comprehensive findings and comments of the examiners when it comes to individual questions. You will be able to read the examiners' observations and comparisons of how strong candidates and weak candidates differ in their workings and final answers. Most importantly, you also get to review some of the most commonly made mistakes by students for the actual paper.
With the right Maths tutor and right learning resources, it is certainly not an impossible feat to ace your A-Level Maths papers.
What Are Some Specific Marking Principles For Your A-Level Maths Papers?
Ever wonder how are your papers graded?
Here are 6 marking principles that examiners uphold when they're marking your A-Level Maths papers. By studying these, you will know what "errors" are allowed in your answers and how marks are given during different circumstances.
All the following information is taken from the marking scheme that is published based on past year's papers analysis but the principles apply to the general questions that will be asked in future exams.
Principle 1: On Answering Methods
Unless a particular method has been specifically listed in the marking scheme full marks may be awarded for any correct method. However, if direct calculation is needed then no marks will be awarded for a scale drawing.
Principle 2: On Form of Answers
The final answers may be given as fractions, decimals or in standard form unless they are specified in the question. Examiners will ignore unnecessary zeros, provided that the degree of accuracy is not majorly affected.
Principle 3: On Notation Of Workings And Answers
When alternative conventions for notation is consistently present throughout the paper, e.g. commas being used as decimal points, marks can still be given if the final answer and method are correct.
Principle 4: On Final Awardation of Marks For Final Answers/ Workings
Unless otherwise indicated, marks once gained cannot subsequently be lost, e.g. wrong working following a correct form of answer will be ignored.
Principle 5: On Misread Errors For Questions (IMPORTANT!)
Where a candidate has misread a number in the question and used that value consistently throughout, provided that number does not alter the difficulty or the method required, the overall marks will still be given but 1 mark will be deducted for the misread. For instance, if the mark allocation for the question is 5m, then the candidate will only receive 4m for the question.
Principle 6: On Overall Clarity Of Working To The Final Answers
Recovery within working is allowed, e.g. a notation error in the working where the following line of working makes the candidate’s intention clear. This means if you manage to show correct and complete working after one small "inaccurate" working in the beginning and still arrive with the correct final answer, marks will still be awarded.
You can also read this article to find out more tips to decode your A-Level Maths papers.
How To Structure And Plan Your Answers By Mastering The Marking Scheme For A-Level Maths?
After reviewing the above principles, you can now master the ways to present your answers during your actual exams. You can use the following ways to lay a structure for your workings and final answers.
a) Identify the right method for working and expand it accurately
When reading and analysing the question, make sure you apply the right formula/equation/expression and consistently substitute the right values into them before you continue with the additional workings. This will ensure you to secure the method marks for the overall question. Bear in mind that final answers obtained with no shown methods will not be awarded marks for accuracy too.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
b) Usage of correct statement and expression that is not directly related to the method mentioned earlier
At times, the questions require you to form relationships and inferences based on the given information. These information will lead you to obtain the right answer but it is not a "direct formula". Marks will be awarded for this working. Some examples include listing down certain findings/answers such as:
- The indication of coordinates like C has coordinates (11, 4)
- Listing of gradient values like 0.5 is the Gradient of AB, BC or AC
- Correct pairing of vectors in your working
c) Double check final answer (three significant figures)
After making sure you have used the right method and included the right statements/ elaborations, you are now almost a step away to get your final mark. Make good use of your scientific calculator to check your calculations and please remember, remember and remember to write your final answer in the form of 3 significant figures.
Practice makes perfect, so better kickstart your revision journey and practice with these A-Level Maths past year papers collection!
Doing Mathematics should always mean finding patterns and crafting beautiful and meaningful explanations.-Paul Lockhart
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