|
Choosing
the correct proficiency level
Clement Radcliffe, Contributor
 |
| St.
Elizabeth Technical High School's Schools' Challenge Quiz Team.
- Ian Allen/Staff Photographer |
LESSON
TWO I
presented last week, a list of materials which you should procure to ensure your
success in the CXC examinations. The materials include: (a)
Syllabus - including amendments
(b)
Hard-cover notebook
(c)
Suitable textbook(s) and past papers It
is critical that each student has these available and indeed uses them appropriately
as we approach this series of lessons. A
review of the syllabus will indicate that students can enter at either the basic
or the general proficiency level. The general proficiency level was NEVER intended
for all students. It was designed for those who will pursue further education,
especially in mathematics or related fields. It is also required to gain entry
to some courses in tertiary institutions, for example, engineering at the University
of the West Indies or at the University of Technology. The basic proficiency,
on the other hand, is designed for those who wish to use mathematics in certain
jobs, for example, working as a cashier. This is due to the emphasis which is
placed on the practical areas in the basic examination. I should warn, however,
that a pass at the general proficiency level is given wider recognition. It is
widely felt that many students would fare better had they been prepared for the
basic proficiency. It follows clearly then that you should consider objectively
the proficiency level for which you should register in November. Students
pursuing the basic or the general proficiency level are required to do two papers
as follows: (a)
Paper 1 - Multiple Choice
(b)
Paper 2 - Essay-type questions Each
of these papers requires different approaches. Last
week, I presented four multiple choice items as practice lessons. I hope you had
no difficulty in completing them. If you have not yet done them, please do so
now. You
are asked to note the following with respect to multiple choice items: (a)
It is in the best interest of students to try to gain as many marks as possible
on this paper. (b)
Among the four responses given for each question, there are three detractors (wrong
answers) and a key (correct answer). The three detractors given are usually based
on a popular error made on the topic being tested. Random guessing is therefore
not a recommended strategy. (c)
The correct answer may be determined by any of the following strategies: (1)
Working the problem to determine the answer. (2)
Eliminating the detractors by testing each answer until the correct one is found.
(3)
A combination of (1) and (2). We
will apply these strategies in the following examples: STRATEGY
1 EXAMPLE:
If a * b * 3a + b, then 1 * 3 = (a)
10
(b) 9
(c) 4
(d) 6 SOLUTION
Since
a * b * 3a + b
then
1 * 3 = 3 x 1 + 3 = 6 ANSWER
is (d). STRATEGY
2 EXAMPLE:
If 45 - 2x = 2x - 3, then x = (a)
7
(b) 24
(c) 12
(d) 0 SOLUTION
You
can substitute the various values of x until the equation is satisfied. If
x = 0, then 45 = -3. The equation is not satisfied, therefore (d) is incorrect.
If x
= 7, then 45 - 14. = 14 - 3. The equation is not satisfied, therefore (a) is also
incorrect. Trying
x = 12, then 45 - 24 = 24 - 3 = 21. ANSWER
is (c). Please
remember that a very good performance in the less complex multiple choice items
can make a difference between passing and failing. Using
the above, let us review the solutions to the multiple choice questions given
last week: 1.
2² + 3³
= (a)
10
(b) 13
(c) 31
(d) 32 SOLUTION
Using
Strategy 1, 2²
+ 3³ =
4 + 27 = 31. ie.
The answer is (c). 2.
If 3n is an odd number, which of the following is an even number? (a)
3n - 2
(b) 3n + 2
(c) 3n + 4
(d) 3n - 1 SOLUTION
Using
Strategy 2, if 3n is odd, then 3n - 2 is odd, but 3n - 1 is even. ... The answer
is (d). (a)
1/2
(b) 25/4
(c) 1/4
(d) 121/4 Using
Strategy 1, 23/4 = 11/4. ie.
11/4 y 11 = 1/4 ..
ie. The answer is (c). 4.
3. 96 x 0.5 is approximately: (a)
0.2
(b) 2
(c) 20.0
(d) 200 SOLUTION
3.
96 is approximately 40 and .05 is 1/2 ie.
4 x 1/2 = 2. ie The answer is (b). Let
us now review Paper 2. This
paper contains essay-type questions and requires that students display competence
at three cognitive levels. These are: recall, method and reasoning. RECALL
This
requires the presentation of basic facts and formula and the working out of simple
calculations. Marks can be earned at the Recall level for the presentation of
formulae and/or for calculating the correct answer. METHOD
Students
are credited for correct use of appropriate methods in solving a given problem,
for example, the student who correctly applies Pythagoras' Theorem will earn 'method'
marks. REASONING:
This
involves the correct selection of an appropriate method for complex problems,
or the correct interpretation of given information. The
above underscores the fact that in order to prepare effectively for examinations
in mathematics, a student has to place emphasis on studying information, using
appropriate methods and practicing problems. For
your homework, please attempt some additional multiple choice items. 1.
4² - 2²
= (a)
2
(b) 4
(c) 12
(d) 14 2.
The least number of sweets which can be shared equally among 5, 10 or 15 children
is: (a)
15
(b) 30
(c) 45
(d) 60 3.
2/5 expressed as a percentage is: (a)
5%
(b) 20%
(c) 25%
(d) 40% 4.
23. 98 x 0.5 is approximately equal to: (a)
0.12
(b) 1.2
(c) 12
(d)
120 Clement
Radcliffe is the principal of Glenmuir High School in May Pen. | 
