• Background
• GCSE Mathematics
• GCSE Additional Mathematics
• A-level Mathematics
• Further Mathematics
• FSMQ developments
• A-level Use of Mathematics
• GCSE Use of Mathematics
• Summary

2011 exams update

Examples of completed answer books – good practice and areas for improvement – added June 2011

Our question paper style and how our examiners will mark long answers on screen

As confirmed in December 2009 and March 2010 Updates, exams with separate question papers and answer books (unconstrained answer books) will use the new:

• simplified, two-digit question numbering system
• style of answer book with spaces for candidates to write the two-digit question numbers.

Here is confirmation of the approach taken in your subject:

June 2011 9306 Additional Mathematics Pilot

Unit code	Title	Numbering system	Type of answer book	Size of answer book
9306/F	Tier F	traditional	Combined question paper answer book	24 pages
9306/H	Tier H	traditional	Combined question paper answer book	24 pages

If components are working with combined question paper answer books, you need read no further.

This guidance supports you to work with the new numbering system and new answer books with continued success and confidence in the 2011 exams:

• Review of summer 2010 exams and guidance for centres on 2011 exams
• Teacher Guide (revised)
• Exams Officer and Invigilator Guide (revised)
• Student Guide (revised)
• Question papers and mark schemes:
• Summer 2010 materials are available to view in the Secure Key Materials area of e-AQA
• Specimen materials are available for download from the subject pages of aqa.org.uk
• Examples of candidates' work:
  • Good practice
  • Areas for improvement
• AQA Research Team Papers:

Marking long answers on screen

• Reliability of on-screen marking of essays
• A concurrent approach to estimating the reliability of electronic marking of long form answers
• Using the Think Aloud Method to investigate electronic marking of long form answers
• The impact of e-marking on Enquiries After Results 2006/2007
• The impact of e-marking on Enquiries After Results 2005/2006

New AQA Numbering System

• Nested Numbering

Archive

• Exams Officer questionnaire feedback
• Exams Officer questionnaire

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• This is a separate, second, GCSE (not a double award)
• It is examined by an end-of-course exam: one paper at each of Foundation and Higher tiers
• The teaching, learning and assessment have an emphasis on problem-solving and reasoning skills which will feature in all GCSEs in mathematics in the future
• The content of the specification draws on the same Programme of Study as for GCSE Maths. There is no additional content to be taught.
• This pilot will continue until June 2011. It has been decided that there will not be a nationally available GCSE in Additional mathematics following the approach of this pilot qualification

Update: October 2009

• The number of centres who can take part in this pilot qualification is limited and all places have currently been taken. If you wish to be considered for participation in this pilot qualification, should a place become available, please contact us
• 5800 candidates were entered for this pilot examination in June 2009 with 55% being entered for the Higher tier. This represents a 37% increase in entry even though it has now been announced that this qualification will not continue after the pilot.
• As with last year, there was a lot of evidence to suggest that many candidates had not been specifically prepared for the different emphasis of this examination. As mathematical reasoning and problem solving techniques are to be a significant part of the main GCSE from 2010, and will be a major strand of both key stage 4 and key stage 3 programmes of study, it is hoped that we will see more evidence of specific preparation for such question types in the remaining years of the pilot and beyond

2008 activities

• 4200 candidates sat the first papers for the GCSE pilot in Additional Maths in June 2008 with a majority (56%) being entered for the Higher tier
• Although some excellent work was seen at both tiers, it was clear that significant numbers of candidates had not been prepared for the different style of questions in this examination. This is unsurprising in the first year of pilot and it is hoped that, as the pilot progresses, we will see much stronger evidence of mathematical reasoning and problem solving strategies which this qualification emphasises
• The GCSE in Additional Maths has the status of a full GCSE and contributes points to attainment tables. This qualification can also count as the Maths GCSE in statistics for 5 A* to C including English and Maths. Overall, 59.8% of candidates achieved grades A* to C in this qualification
• This specification is unchanged for 2009.

2007 activities

• Teacher resources were developed, in collaboration with Leeds University, to support pilot centres in the teaching of problem solving approaches which are an integral part of this new qualification. Meetings with centres were held in the New Year and the use of these materials were considered and reviewed
• Additional Maths was developed to be accessible to the majority of candidates who have followed the Key Stage 4 Programme of Study. The continuing challenge is to achieve this whilst offering an assessment that emphasises problem solving and reasoning, and is distinctive from GCSE Maths.