Date Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2000 3:32 PM

From: "95gordond" <95gordond@inverurieacademy.aberdeenshire.sch.uk>

To: maths

Subject: Higher still maths paper.

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

Personally I thought that the higher mathematics paper was a complete mistake. The questions were not only unclear but unrelated to the actual syllabus. I am highly disappointed in the exam board and although I have been predicted an A in the prelim I am unsure as to whether or not I shall be able to obtain a C level. I feel that the mathematics paper was a big mistake on the part of the exam board and hope that they will compensate the pupils who had to sit the paper by facing the fact that it was a complete mess.

Yours sincerely,

Anna Yates

(Inverurie Academy, Aberdeenshire)

Date Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2000 3:31 PM

From: "95williamss" <95williamss@inverurieacademy.aberdeenshire.sch.uk>

To: maths

Subject: Maths exam (Higher still)

Dear sir/madam

 

I thought that the first paper was a lot harder than all the sample papers and it destroyed my confidence for the second exam which in comparison was very easy. My feelings are held by the vast majority of my year, teachers included. Even if the pass mark is dropped it has spoiled maths for our year as whatever results I may receive have been tainted by the foolish actions of the exam board. Even though I feel personally that I have still improved on my prelim, this is not the case for many people and I understood why people left before the second exam. I hope that the exam board take responsibility for their actions and appropriate action is taken.

Yours sincerely,

Steven Williams

Inverurie Academy

Aberdeenshire

Date Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2000 3:43 PM

From: Blebaby@aol.com

To: maths

Subject: maths paper

I thought that even the actual structure of the paper was initially frightening, as it was nothing like I had ever seen before and I know that a lot of people felt the same way. At first I thought I must of had a SYS paper because of the formulae page, it took a couple of minutes to look through and realise it was section B or C.

The other confusing part was paper 1 being the old style revised higher typical paper 2 questions, so when it came to paper 2 although it was difficult it was a relief. I read in the paper that there were a lot of people who didnt show up for the paper 2 which personally I think is stupid but I can see how they felt so depressed after the frst paper. The newspaper also said that the phone lines for the SQA yesterday were jampacked all day with complaints from pupils, teachers and parents.

The main thing I thought was wrong with paper one was adding all the fractions together without a calculator and the question aboiut the circle threw me a bit as well.

Overall I thought the exam was a bit of a sham especially after having sat the maths exam last year and being able to compare the two I think the only thing that let higher still down was the final exam. I think dropping the investigation was a good idea, as was continual assessment throughout the year as it kept me on my toes...