Secondary Mathematics Assessment Instructions for Students

Instructions for writing the assessment

1. Wait until instructed to begin the assessment.
2. If your test booklet is damaged or misprinted, raise your hand for the exam supervisor to replace it.
3. Remain in the exam room for the first 1.5 hours of the test session. You may leave before that time only for exceptional circumstances such as illness. Should you need to temporarily leave the room, a teacher must accompany you.
4. Only the following test materials will be permitted: pencil and eraser, a foreign language dictionary (if required), a ruler, and an approved calculator.
5. Complete all your work in the examination booklet. Tear-out formula sheets are provided.
6. Examination booklets, with the exception of the formula sheets, must remain intact. Do not discard any materials.
7. You may not leave the room with any test materials.
8. You must not assist or receive assistance from another student during the exam. If you require something during the exam, raise your hand for the exam supervisor to assist you.
9. The exam supervisor can assist you with directions only, not with exam questions.
10. Electronic communication is strictly prohibited during the exam. Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off.

The mathematics assessments are structured as follows:

Instructions aux élèves 
Feuille de formules 
Feuille-réponse 
Exemple d'évaluation 
Corrigé

Instructions for selected-response questions

Each selected-response question has a value of one.

1. Use a pencil to fill in the bubbles on the bubble sheet.  This is a sample bubble sheet.
2. Make sure the question number from the exam booklet corresponds with the number on the bubble sheet.
3. Shade only one circle for each question.
4. If you want to change your answer, completely erase the shaded circle and fill in your new choice.
5. Although you are encouraged to show your work in the exam booklet for each question, only the answer on the bubble sheet will be recorded and marked.
6. Remember to attempt all selected-response questions. Marks are not deducted for incorrect answers.

Instructions for constructed-response questions

The value for each constructed-response question appears at the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

1. Complete and show all your work on the exam sheet; points are earned for correct work.
2. The value of each question is given at the bottom right-hand corner of the page.
3. Reserve the answer box for your final answer and/or summary statement. Use the blank space to show your calculations and process.
4. When units are used in the question, you must include units in your answer.
5. Solve implies solving algebraically. Prove means proving deductively.
6. Round off appropriately when instructed to do so.

Test strategies

1. Remember that diagrams are not necessarily drawn to scale.
2. Read each question carefully.
3. Before you attempt to answer a question study the diagrams and graphs paying particular attention to measures. Markings and relationships.
4. Draw a picture or diagram to help you solve some problems.
5. If you get stuck on a question, move on to the next question. Come back to skipped questions at the end.
6. Re-read questions if necessary.
7. Answer every question even if you are unsure you are correct.
8. Use any extra time to check your answers.
9. Ensure your calculator is in degrees.