Length: Full Year

Recommended background: It is highly recommended that students have successfully completed four semesters of Stage 1 Mathematics

Content:

Stage 2 Specialist Mathematics is a 20-credit subject and consists of the following six topics:

• Topic 1: Mathematical induction
• Topic 2: Complex numbers
• Topic 3: Functions and sketching graphs
• Topic 4: Vectors in three dimensions
• Topic 5: Integration techniques and applications
• Topic 6: Rates of change and differential equations.

The suggested order of the topics is a guide only; however, students study all six topics.

Assessment:

The following assessment types enable students to demonstrate their learning in Stage 2 Specialist Mathematics:

• School-based assessment (70%): Assessment Type 1: Skills and Applications Tasks (50%), Assessment Type 2: Mathematical Investigation (20%)
• External assessment (30%): Assessment Type 3: Examination (30%)

Students provide evidence of their learning through eight assessments, including the external assessment component. Students undertake:

• six skills and applications tasks
• one mathematical investigation
• one examination

At the student’s completion of study of each school assessment type, the teacher makes a decision about the quality of the student’s learning by:

• referring to the performance standards
• assigning a grade between A+ and E- for the assessment type

The student’s school assessment and external assessment are combined for a final result, which is reported as a grade between A+ and E-.