LEVEL: Stage 2
SACE Credits: 20 credits
LENGTH: Full Year
Students who complete this subject with a C– grade or better will meet the numeracy requirement of the SACE.
Recommended background: Stage 1 General Mathematics
Stage 2 Essential Mathematics is available to students for whom Stage 2 General Mathematics is likely to present greater challenges.
Content:
Essential Mathematics offers senior secondary students the opportunity to extend their mathematical skills in ways that apply to practical problem-solving in everyday and workplace contexts. Students apply their mathematics to diverse settings, including everyday calculations, financial management, business applications, measurement and geometry, and statistics in social contexts.
In Essential Mathematics there is an emphasis on developing students’ computational skills and expanding their ability to apply their mathematical skills in flexible and resourceful ways.
This subject is intended for students planning to pursue a career in a range of trades or vocations.
Stage 2 Essential Mathematics consists of the following six topics:
- Topic 1: Scales, plans, and models
- Topic 2: Measurement
- Topic 3: Business applications
- Topic 4: Statistics
- Topic 5: Investments and loans
- Topic 6: Open topic.
Students study five topics from the list of six topics above. All students must study Topics 2, 4, and 5.
Evidence of Learning
Students provide evidence of their learning through eight assessments, including the external assessment component. Students undertake:
- four or five skills and applications tasks (30%)
- two or three folio tasks (40%)
- one examination (30%)
The 130-minute external examination will cover questions on the following three topics:
- Topic 2: Measurement
- Topic 4: Statistics
- Topic 5: Investments and loans.
Assessment:
Students’ performance will be determined according to the subject’s Performance Standards, as outlined by the SACE Board. Grades A+ to E- will be used for reporting purposes.