VCE Mathematical Methods - Written examinations 1 and 2 - End of year Examination specifications

Sep 20, 2026

End-of-year written examination specifications for VCE Mathematical Methods covering two exams (Examination 1 and Examination 2) for the 2016–2018 period. Defines overall conditions, examination timing and reading/writing times, allowed and prohibited technology and notes, formula-sheet provision, marking by a VCAA-appointed panel, and study-score contribution weights (22% and 44%). Specifies content scope across Units 3 and 4 outcomes, assessment focus, and the distinct question formats, marks, and answer recording procedures for each exam.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages39

Reading Time1 h 38 min

AccessFree to download

Overall conditions

Content

Format

Examination 1

Examination 2

Approved materials and equipment

Relevant references

Advice

VCE Mathematical Methods 2016–2018 Written examinations 1 and 2 – End of year Examination specifications Overall conditions There will be two end-of-year examinations for VCE Mathematical Methods – examination 1 and examination 2. The examinations will be sat at a time and date to be set annually by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) . VCAA examination rules will apply. Details of these rules are published annually in the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook. Examination 1 will have 15 minutes reading time and 1 hour writing time. Students are not permitted to bring into the examination room any technology (calculators or software) or notes of any kind. Examination 2 will have 15 minutes reading time and 2 hours writing time. Students are permitted to bring into the examination room an approved technology with numerical, graphical, symbolic and statistical functionality, as specified in the VCAA Bulletin and the VCE Exams Navigator. One bound reference may be brought into the examination room. This may be a textbook (which maybe annotated), a securely bound lecture pad, a permanently bound student-constructed set of notes without fold-outs or an exercise book. Specifications for the bound reference are published annually in the VCE Exams Navigator. A formula sheet will be provided with both examinations. The examinations will be marked by a panel appointed by the VCAA. Examination 1 will contribute 22 per cent to the study score. Examination 2 will contribute 44 per cent to the study score. Content The VCE Mathematics Study Design 2016–2018 (‘Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4’) is the document for the development of the examination. All outcomes in ‘Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4’will be examined. All content from the areas of study, and the key knowledge and skills that underpin the outcomes in Units 3 and 4, are examinable. Examination 1 will cover all areas of study in relation to Outcome 1. The examination is designed to assess students’ knowledge of mathematical concepts, their skill in carrying out mathematical algorithms without the use of technology, and their ability to apply concepts and skills. Examination 2 will cover all areas of study in relation to all three outcomes, with an emphasis on Outcome 2. The examination is designed to assess students’ ability to understand and communicate mathematical ideas, and to interpret, analyse and solve both routine and non-routine problems. Format Examination 1 The examination will be in the form of a question and answer book. The examination will consist of short-answer and extended-answer questions. All questions will be compulsory. The total marks for the examination will be 40. A formula sheet will be provided with the examination. The formula sheet will be the same for examinations 1 and 2. All answers are to be recorded in the spaces provided in the question and answer book. Examination 2 The examination will be in the form of a question and answer book. The examination will consist of two sections. Section A will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions worth 1 mark each and will be worth a total of 20 marks. Section B will consist of short-answer and extended-answer questions, including multi-stage questions of increasing complexity, and will be worth a total of 60 marks. All questions will be compulsory. The total marks for the examination will be 80. A formula sheet will be provided with the examination. The formula sheet will be the same for examinations 1 and 2. Answers to Section A are to be recorded on the answer sheet provided for multiple-choice questions. Answers to Section B are to be recorded in the spaces provided in the question and answer book. Approved materials and equipment Examination 1 • normal stationery requirements (pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers, sharpeners and rulers) Examination 2 • normal stationery requirements (pens, pencils, highlighters,

FAQs

How do Examination 1 and Examination 2 contribute to the study score?

Examination 1 contributes 22% to the study score, while Examination 2 contributes 44%.

What technology and materials are students allowed to bring?

Students cannot bring any technology or notes for Examination 1. For Examination 2, students may bring approved technology with specified functionality and may bring one bound reference, plus normal stationery and a scientific calculator.

What is the structure and total marks for each examination?

Examination 1 is a single question-and-answer book with short-answer and extended-answer questions totaling 40 marks. Examination 2 has two sections: Section A has 20 multiple-choice questions worth 20 marks, and Section B has short-answer and extended-answer questions totaling 60 marks (80 marks overall).

Sep 20, 2026

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