Writing the Math 12 Provincial Exam: Some Guidelines
(will be updated as needed)
- About decimal and fractional answers:
- Students are asked to leave answers accurate to AT LEAST TWO decimal places. This exam rule is intended to keep things manageable for both students and markers. The answer must be correct to whatever number of digits (at least two) the student chooses to round. Similarly, marks MAY not be deducted for non-reduced fractions in the answer boxes, but we take marks off for incorrect reduction for sure.
- Also, it’s a good idea to write the exact solution before reaching for the calculator in case of calculator errors.
- Using probability in a combinatorics question: expect to lose 0.5 point out of two.
- Using normal approximation to calculate a binomial probability: ~1 mark out of two.
- Write down your calculator model for statistics, especially if you don’t use TI-83
- Giving a graphical solution to solve a question that requires an algebraic solution: receive 1 mark only, usually. The general rule is you don’t pass the question.
- Data table is considered rough work and will not be evaluated for transformation.
- Giving general solution for a trig equation, not in accordance to the domain (0.5 deduction). Using degrees instead of radians as specified: 1 mark (one time) deduction.
- Trig identities: Show everything, even rewrite division as multiplying reciprocals. Pretend that the readers are "dumb". You don’t want to risk your paper be under the spotlight for discussion among markers!
- Writing sin (theta)2 instead of sin2(theta): 0.5 deduction.
