After completing this year O-Level E-Maths Paper 1, I personally find that the difficulty level has increased compared to the last 3 years.
I was slightly shocked to see question 1 as a arrangement question.Quite a handful of students commented that there are questions which aren't even Maths questions.
- One of the questions is "Questionnaire on how much time does student spoil on Internet". It was probably what the question is asking for which brought some surprises to the candidates.
- I found the cuboid, cube and the equal area of rectangles questions well crafted.
- The train leaving tunnel was sneaky. It reminded me of PSLE Math.
- I like the number pattern question as it has a twist to it. Instead of listing down the first few terms, they skipped some terms. It was very refreshing.
- One of the observations I have: 2014 Paper 1 has a few questions which are 3-5 marks for a single part. It seems to deviate from the usual short questions of 1 to 3 marks in the past few years.
Based on what were tested, we are logically make some guesses of what we are expecting in Paper 2. The following topics are what I'm suggesting and they are for reference only:
- Standard form
- Scales & Maps
- Factorisation
- Solving simultaneous equations
- Solving fractional equations
- Inequality
- Subject formula
- General shapes of graphs
- Functions & Graphs
- Quadratic equations & Graphs
- Distance, speed and acceleration graphs
- Construction of bisectors
- Congruent & Similar Figures
- Angle & Symmetry Properties of circles
- Arc length, area of sector and radian measure
- Pythagoras’ theorem and Trigonometry
- Mensuration
- Coordinate Geometry
- Mean & SD
- Cumulative frequency
- Vectors (ratio of areas, magnitude, linked to coordinate geometry)
Regardless of how you think you have fared for Paper 1, continue to work hard for Paper 2 which is 9 days away. Practice daily!
All the best!
Edit: My view on O-Level exam answers as reported in 4 November 2013 TODAY papers.
Source: http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/exam-answer-fever-heats-web
Ai Ling Ong
Hi, I'm Ai Ling Ong. I enjoy coaching students who have challenges with understanding and scoring in 'O' Level A-Maths and E-Maths. I develop Math strategies, sometimes ridiculous ideas to help students in understanding abstract concepts the fast and memorable way. I write this blog to share with you the stuff I teach in my class, the common mistakes my students made, the 'way' to think, analyze... If you have found this blog post useful, please share it with your friends. I will really appreciate it! :)
thanks for listing out what is most likely gonna come out! and your videos are rly helpful!
hi, just asking will the bell curve be lower or higher for the e math paper 1 this year?
Hi Caleb, is bell curve something you can control? Do you know what's bell curve? It's based on the performance of all candidates which could be 30000 to 50000 students.
Focus on preparing for Paper 2 is a wiser thing to do, isn't it?
I'm glad you found the post and videos useful.
Enjoy learning, enjoy scoring!
yea kinda scared didn't managed to perform well enough for paper 1 though.. a lot of unexpected questions.
Yes, will focus on paper 2 thanks!
Is there anywhere that we can see the paper and its marks allocation?
You need to wait for Ten Years Series 2015. Authorized publishers will access to the papers.
Hi, may i know how did you have access to the paper? I thought only students will have known the questions itself?
and based on your comments u seemed like as if u have seen the full paper
4NA Student taking O level maths here
I kinda agree that the difficulty level has been increasing.. can see from the 2014 N level a-maths too..
Sigh.. didn't perform well for paper 1. Lost around 10 marks(maybe more than that) and my number pattern was entirely wrong, did simultaneous equation as question mentioned same number and previous number added for the next term
Apart from that, I saw the answers online, but was really scared because some of my answers were different from that. Not sure if getting an A1 is still achievable, if I do well for my paper 2...
The paper was very hard and I didn't attempt the five marks question. Due to not attempting questions, I lost an estimated of fourteen marks. Do I still have hope to pass? It's very disheartening to see that despite my efforts, what I revised didn't come for the Paper 1. Certain questions tested, such as the Alyssa's questionnaire, Ravi's 385 cubes, the 5 marks gold question, the trapezium question which is also worth five marks and the final part of the speed question and the bacteria question were rather tricky. I know I have many more papers to study for, but I just feel so unmotivated and sad. In an event where, say, majority of the cohort fail to do well for the maths paper 1, will Cambridge lower the bell curve?
I would like to enquire, there was this question where the answer was 2.9888888 or something like that, I rounded of the answer to 3. Silly me! I checked the answers for the O level paper on another website and the correct answer was supposed to be 2.98...will I still get the mark or no? it was a one mark question I guess.
I did have full access of the paper.
I sat for the paper.
This is the reason why I told my students not to check against any online answers and not to compare answers.
It could demoralize many students if not managed properly.
Just continue to focus on Paper 2 preparation.
Focus on things you can control.
We wouldn't know how the cohort has done since it involves 30000 to 50000 students.
I don't wish to discuss the answers as it's not meaningful in my opinion.
What's done is done.
I find the paper quite manageable but a few questions like Ravi has 385 cubes and bacteria question I find them rather tricky . The questions I feel is twisted like applied mathematics . Thanks for your enlightening feedback !
for one of the answer for the cuboid, it is 5cm x 7cm x 11cm. Is it possible if we put 11cm x 7cm x 5cm instead? and is it possible if you post up the question paper here?
O-Level Elementary Maths Paper 1 is submitted for marking. How can the question paper be posted online? Moreover posting exam questions is also infringement of copyright laws.
I don't discuss answers.
That's true. There are more application linked to everyday life.
Glad you find the paper manageable.
Do better for the next paper!
I am surprised by the reactions to this E Math Paper 1 personally. While the questions this year were unconventional compared to past year's papers, I thought they were all very straightforward and manageable. Most of the students in my school found the paper to be easy and I agree with them on it. I also thought the Ravi cube question was very easy although the questionnaire question is the only one that took me by surprise. The 5 marks question werent that tough after reading in detail too (though I was initially surprised to see 2 5m questions). Anyway, thank you for the helpful and detailed list of Paper 2 topics, they match my own list so I know to be focused for my Paper 2 revision
Hi Li Ling Ong,
Its nice to hear that you teaches mathematics at senior level,being having the same profession and the same position in my school i would like see your messages and any help regarding the subject, if need any of my help i would love to do,
if you pleas send me few of the past papers of recent years i will be thankful.
Regards
ahmed
hi teacher, can you send me the questions please...through my email..thank you..i need the questions
very much
When the paper is hard, the bell curve will usually be lower. MOE/SEAB need to be fair to everyone who took Mathematics this year. It is quite understandable that you feel disheartened about the paper. Whatever done is done! Treat this as a wake-up call to motivate you to study harder & smarter. I find that Cambridge setters are quite creative in setting such "unpredictable" questions. Like what Ms Ong had mentioned in the beginning of the post-mortem, focus on paper 2 questions, because it also consistute the same percentage (50%) as paper 1.
This is an obvious answer, bell curve will be lower. As the paper is slightly challenging, it is quite understandable that you are worried, as there are about 40 000 candidates (including private candidates) taking O-level Mathematics this year. MOE/SEAB needs to be fair to everybody on their own hardwork, and they also need to be reasonable in adjusting your overall marks. Don't worry too much, Caleb!
Stumble upon your website.
Do you know qn 17 has infinite solutions with part c an invalid qn since you have access to the qn..
After p1 and p2 my total score is about a D7, do you guys think that the bell curve will push me down further? :'(
omg ikrrr, i usally get an f9 for math, only passed for N levels (b4) then when i went to Sec 5 this year i went to an f9 again. dont think i can get a miracle this year :( paper 1 was really difficult for me paper 2 had a lot of careless.. don't know if i can get a d7.. was the paper 2 considered easy?
The bell curve may be around 85 there for A1 as paper 2 isn't really that tough. In fact it was eaier than I thought