Numeracy
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The HSC minimum standard numeracy test contains 45 multiple-choice questions, which are tailored to suit a student's ability. The questions are adaptive where they become harder or easier depending on whether a student is answering questions correctly or incorrectly.
Number
Number involves the ability to perform basic operations using numbers expressed in various forms.
In the numeracy test, students demonstrate their ability to perform routine operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages. Students use and apply rates to solve familiar and routine problems.
Measurement
Measurement involves the ability to interpret dates and times and perform routine calculations involving measures of length, perimeter, mass, area, temperature, volume and capacity.
In the numeracy test, students demonstrate their ability to make conversions between units of time, including 24 hour time, reading and comprehending dates and times. Students demonstrate their ability to make conversions between routine metric units and calculate familiar metric measurements for length, mass, volume, capacity, temperature, simple area and perimeter. Measurement also includes interpreting and applying ratios to scales in everyday maps and plans.
Data and chance
Data refers to the ability to interpret data displayed in tables, graphs and charts. Chance refers to the ability to determine the likelihood of an event occurring using language and numerical values of probability from zero to one.
In the numeracy test, students demonstrate their ability to read, comprehend and compare data displayed in various forms as well as calculate simple measures of spread such as the mean, median and mode to analyse data.
In the numeracy test, students demonstrate their ability to describe, compare and interpret the likelihood of common chance events using language and express them as routine fractions, decimals and percentages.
Space
Space refers to the ability to comprehend and interpret routine 2D shapes, 3D shapes, angles and the interpretation of maps and plans.
In the numeracy test, students apply their knowledge of properties of 2D and 3D shapes in everyday objects, and identify and estimate common angles within them. Students demonstrate their ability to use scales and keys to read and comprehend everyday maps and plans to determine distance, direction and coordinates.
Algebra
Algebra refers to the ability to interpret relationships between variables.
In the numeracy test, students demonstrate their ability to interpret and use simple formulae to describe relationships between variables as well as describe simple patterns.
Literacy in Numeracy
Literacy in numeracy refers to the integral role that literacy can play in interpreting numeracy tasks and applying numeracy skills in a range of contexts.
In the HSC minimum standard numeracy test, as in mathematics and other key learning areas, students must use literacy skills and vocabulary knowledge to accurately interpret the requirements of a question in order to be able to apply their numeracy skills.