Mathematics - Advanced Higher

Vale of Leven Academy

The Advanced Higher Mathematics course develops, deepens and extends the mathematical skills necessary at this level and beyond. Throughout this course, candidates acquire and apply operational skills necessary for exploring complex mathematical ideas.

They select and apply mathematical techniques and develop their understanding of the interdependencies within mathematics. Candidates develop mathematical reasoning skills and gain experience in making informed decisions.

The following provides a broad overview of the subject skills, knowledge and understanding developed in the course:

• using mathematical reasoning skills to think logically, provide justification, and solve problems
• knowledge and understanding of a range of complex concepts
• selecting and applying complex operational skills
• using reasoning skills to interpret information and complex mathematical models
• effectively communicating solutions in a variety of contexts
• explaining and justifying concepts through the idea of rigorous proof
• thinking creatively

The course assessment meets the purposes and aims of the course by addressing:

• breadth — drawing on knowledge and skills from across the course
• challenge — requiring greater depth or extension of knowledge and/or skills
• application — requiring application of knowledge and/or skills in practical or theoretical contexts as appropriate This enables candidates to:
• use mathematical reasoning skills to think logically, provide justification, and solve problems
• use a range of complex concepts
• select and apply complex operational skills
• use reasoning skills to interpret information and use complex mathematical models
• effectively communicate solutions in a variety of mathematical contexts
• explain and justify concepts through the idea of rigorous proof
• think creatively

Question paper 1 (non-calculator) 35 marks

This question paper allows candidates to demonstrate the application of mathematical skills, knowledge and understanding from across the course. Candidates must not use a calculator.

This question paper gives candidates an opportunity to apply numerical, algebraic, geometric, trigonometric, calculus, and reasoning skills specified in the ‘Skills, knowledge and understanding for the course assessment’ section.

This question paper has 35 marks out of a total of 115 marks for the course assessment. It consists of short-answer and extended-response questions. Setting, conducting and marking the question paper This question paper is set and marked by SQA, and conducted in centres under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA.

Candidates have 1 hour to complete this question paper.

Question paper 2 (Calculator) 80 marks

This question paper gives candidates an opportunity to apply numerical, algebraic, geometric, trigonometric, calculus, and reasoning skills specified in the ‘Skills, knowledge and understanding for the course assessment’ section. Using a calculator can facilitate these skills and allow more opportunity for application and reasoning. When solving problems, candidates typically use calculators to perform calculations that are more complex.

This question paper has 80 marks out of a total of 115 marks for the course assessment. It consists of short-answer and extended-response questions. Setting, conducting and marking the question paper This question paper is set and marked by SQA, and conducted in centres under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA.

Candidates have 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete this question paper. Specimen question papers for Advanced Higher courses are published on SQA’s website. These illustrate the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers. The specimen papers also include marking instructions.