wees Bey, Pi ow Cot ine HKDSE Mathematics Title: Exam Analysis Report Coverage: Paper: Compulsory Part HKDSE Papers (2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015) To: From: Mathematics Panel Chairpersons] Pearson Hong Kong Mathematics Teachers PEARSON MeNcompulsory Part “Exam Analysis on the Compulsory Part__:? 1, Analysis on HKDSE 2015 Papers (Compulsory Part) A. HKDSE 2015 Paper 1 i Level of questions (a) Section A(1) Questions More than half of the questions in this section are set on junior form topics (7 out of 9 questions), Some of them are quite straight-forward and the topies are often found in past public exam papers (e.g. QU, 2, 4 and 6). On average, the level of difficulty of the questions in this section is similar to that of the HKDSE 2014 Paper. For Q3, students may mistakenly take ‘the sum of the two numbers drawn is equal to 9° in their calculations, For Q8, students may overlook the conditions ‘BC = not indicated in the diagram. and ‘AB = AD’, which are (b) Section A(2) Questions Longer and harder questions appear in Section A(2). Most questions in this section are cross-topic questions. On average, the level of difficulty of the questions in this, section is similar to that of the HKDSE 2014 Paper. For Q14, some students may fail to prove the expression in (a)(ii). However, in part (b), students may still substitute the coordinates of R into the expression to find the value of h and the equation of the required circle. Hence, the required diameter can be found. (©) Section B Questions ‘There are both short questions (carrying 5 marks or below) and long questions (carrying 9 and 13 marks) in Section B as in the HKDSE 2014 Paper. However, the questioning styles of the questions this year are quite different from those in the previous year. For Q18, no exact value of kis given. This question requires students to determine whether the graph of y = (x) cuts the x-axis, and to locate the circumcentre of AOST using their knowledge on algebra and coordinate geometry.compulsory Part Different from the papers in previous years, the last question Q19 is a question involving 3D and trigonometry, rather than a lengthy real-life situation question involving summation of sequences or probability, Style of questions @) (b) © ‘Explain your answer’ question type ‘The number of questions with ‘Explain your answer’ (abbreviated as EVA hereafter) this year is less than that in the HKDSE 2014 Paper. Note that there are no EYA, questions in Section A(1) and a total of 6 EYA questions in Section A(2) and Section B this year. ‘The nature of the 6 EYA questions in the HKDSE 2015 Paper I can be categorized as follows: Number and Algebra | Measures, Shapes | Data Handling and Space Explain by Finding | Q10 ars ais Actual Values or | Variations Plane Geometry Measures of Relations, att {Congruency and _| Dispersion More about Similarity) Polynomials + aig ‘Quadratic Equation | Applications of Trigonometry in 3D Explain by ais ‘Arguments Based | Quadratic Graphs + on Mathematical | Transformation of Concepts Graphs + Plane Geometry No diagrams provided for questions on coordinate geometry Similar to the papers in previous years, no diagrams are provided for questions involving coordinate geometry. Therefore, students have to sketch diagrams according to the given information, when necessary. This question style requires students’ higher ability in solving problems in coordinate geometry. (e.g. Q14, 18) ‘New question styles in HKDSE 2015 Paper 1 Q3 involves ‘Basic Probability’, which is first appeared in Section A(1). ‘Basic Probability’ usually appears in Section A(2) or Paper 2 in the past exam papers. QUS involves the concept of ‘Normal Distribution’, which is first appeared in HKDSE papers. 2compulsory Part lt Similar Questions to those in past exam papers Besides basic questions such as those involving ‘Law of Indices’ and ‘Factorization’, some questions in the HKDSE 2015 Paper are quite similar to those in past exam papers, These ns are listed in the table below. ques Questions in HKDSE | Similar Questions in HKDSE 2014, 2015 HKDSE 2013 and HKDSE 2012 ee aio | HKDSE 2014 Q13 Part (a) of this question involves HKDSE 2013.11 partial variation. Part (b) of the HKDSE 2012 Q11 question can be solved using the result in part (a) an HKDSE 2014 Q7 Part (b) of this question involves HKDSE 2013 Q12 determining the nature of the roots ‘of a cubic equation, Students can make use of the result in part (a) to solve this question. ~~ at4 r HKDSE 2014 Q12 {This question invoives HKDSE 2013 @14 “Equations of Circles’ and HDSE 2012 Q14 ‘Equations of Straight Lines’ No diagrams are provided are HADSE 2013 Q16 This question on probebility HKDSE 2012 @16 expects students to apply the concepts of permutation and combination (i) In part (), the answer can be easily obtained based on the result in part (a). aig HKDSE 2013 Q17 This question involves finding the coordinates of the vertex of the graph of the function using the method of completing the square. ais HKDSE 2013 Q18, ()) This question involves a plane figure which Is folded to form a 30 figure. (i) EYAjs included in the guestion.Compulsory Part Overall Comments on HKDSE 2015 Paper 4 A wide range of questions of different levels of difficulties is observed in the HKDSE 2015 Paper 4 itincludes simple and straight-forward questions such as Qt, 2, 4; questions with a dificult part (b) (Q14) in Section A(2); and cross-topic questions (Q17, 18) in Section B. Comparing to the questions in Paper 1 of previous years, the questions in Section A(1) and Section A(2) this year are, in general, slightly easier. The questioning styles in Section B are quite different from those in the past exam papers. Also, some popular topics in past exam papers, such as ‘Approximation and Errors and ‘Summation of Geometric Sequences are absent in this papercompulsory Part B, HKDSE 2015 Paper 2°. There are 45 questions in the HKDSE Paper 2, in which 30 Section A questions are on Foundation Part and 15 Section B questions are on Non-foundation Part. More than half of the questions in Section A are set on junior form topics and nearly all the questions in Section B are set on senior form topics. Compared to the HKDSE 2014 Paper 2, the questions in HKDSE 2015 Paper 2 is slightly easier. New question style > Qa In the previous exam papers, diagrams are provided in the questions involving ‘Properties of Circle’. However, no diagram is provided in this question. Students ate required to notice that £ is the centre of the circle from the information given in the question. > Q32 Unlike the questions on ‘Logarithmic Transformation’ in the previous exam papers, this question requires students to find the expression relating x and y. It tests students’ knowledge on the equations of straight lines and the properties of logarithms. Some difficult questions > Qu Students may easily find the upper limits and the Jower limits of the weights of white sugar in the bag and in each packet, but they may fail to determine which limits should be used for finding the greatest possible value of n. > 30, Q45 In these two questions, variables are used to represent the statistical measures. Students are required to have a clear understanding on these statistical measures, > Q37 Students should notice that the common ratio of the given geometric sequence can be positive or negative, > Q42 Students are required to know that the y-coordinates of the orthocentre of AOP and point Qare the same.compulsory Part Similar Questions to those in past exam papers Questions in HKDSE | Similar Questions in HKDSE 2014, Description 2015 HKDSE 2013 and HKDSE 2012 ‘This question requires students to judge the range of values of unknown = HKDSE 2014 Q5 and i a : sheets - aes tants i ennui ‘constants given in the equation of ‘quadratic function based on the given ‘graph of quadratic function, ‘Students are asked to find the area of HKDSE 2014 Q17, ‘amuanesecidaettasseat a trianglettrapezium/parallelo ar HKDSE 2013 Q18 and eter eee eceeeaeeay ‘considering the ratios of ine HKDSE 2012 Q17 segments, and similar tangles. This question involves a regular Sided polygon. Students sean sided polygon. Students are asked to judge whether the statements are azz HKDSE 2013 Q21 and eS correct usin rwledge HKDSE 2012 Q22 it ‘Geometry ~ Polygons’ and ‘Symmetry and Transformatio This question involves transformations of points on the HKDSE 2014 023 and 223 rectangular coordinate plane, and the HKDSE 2012 023 ‘conversion between rectangular coordinates and polar coordinates. ‘This question requires students to determine the geometrical description a HKDSE 2014 Q24 and of the locus of Paccording to the HADSE 2012 24 siven condition, No calculation is needed, though some numerical data | are given, This question requires students to HKDSE 2014 @25, judge the range of values of unknown 2s HKDSE 2013 @14 and constants given in the equation(s) of HKDSE 2012 25 straight line(s) based on the given caraph(s) of straight tines). ; ‘This question requires students to ass HKDSE 2014 Q39 determine the number of roots of a trigonometric equation.compulsory Part Students are asked to find the value aad HKDSE 2013 Q42 and (or range of values) of an unknown, | HKDSE 2012 @42 given the condition that a straight line intersects with a circle, This question involves finding the 42 HKDSE 2013 043 coordinates of the centres of triangle on the rectangular coordinate plane. HKDSE 2014 043, ‘Students are required to solve the 043 HKDSE 2013 Q44 and question by permutation or HKDSE 2012 @43 combination, This question requires students to judge whether the statement: eas HKDSE 2012 45 ee eee eee correct using the knowledge of “Effects of Data Change’. L Overall Comments on HKDSE 2015 Paper 2 Overall, questions in HKDSE 2015 Paper 2 is slightly easier than those in HKDSE 2014 paper. It includes some straight-forward questions, but also some tricky and difficult questions. Students may be familiar with the question style if practice on the past exam papers is enough. C. Topics absent in both HKDSE 2015 Paper 1 and Paper 2 Rate (foundation) Test for concyclic points (non-foundation) H.C.F. and L.C.M. of polynomials (non-foundation) Heron's formula (non-foundation)‘Compulsory Part Il .Overview on the past 4 HKDSE papers A. Questions Distribution of Paper 1 1 Section A(1) (35 marks) (indicates questions that require ‘Explain Your Answer’) HKDSE 2012 Paper | HKDSE2013 Paper | HKDSE 2014 Paper | HKDSE 2015 Paper ‘a1 |Laws of indices Laws of indices [Laws of indices Laws of indices (aM) (3M) (aM) (aM) ‘a2 [Formulas Formulas Factorization Formulas aM) aM) eM) (eM) 93 | Factorization Factorization | Approximation and Basic Probability co) (8M) | Errors (3M) (3M) a4 [Percentages ‘Simultaneous Equations |Measures of Factorization (4M) (41M) | Dispersion + Measures (4M) Jof Central Tendency (3M) ‘Qs | Simultaneous ‘Compound Inequalities Formulas [Compound inequalities Equations (4M) (4M) (4M) (am) Q6 [Compound inequalities |Polar Coordinates + | Percentages Percentages (AN) | Trigonometry (am) (aM) (4M) Q7 | Measures of Dispersion |Plane Geometry _ More about Simultaneous (Myx | (Congruency and Polynomials + Equations Similarity) Quadratic Equations (amy (4M) (6M) 8 [Basie Properties of [Approximation and | Transformation of __|Plane Geometry Circles + Deductive | Errors Coordinates + (Circles) Geometry {5M)x | Coordinate Geometry (eM) Myx of Straight Lines (eM) ‘a9 | Mensuration Measures of Dispersion |Piane Geometry Mensuration (6M) |+ Measures of Central |(Congruency and (Sectors) ‘Tendency Similarity) (eM) (6M) (Mxcompulsory Part WM Section A(2) (35 marks) (x indicates questions that require ‘Explain Your Answer) HKOSE 2012 Paper | HKDSE 2013 Paper | HKDSE 2014 Paper | HKDSE 2016 Paper 10 |Measures of Central Measures of Central [Further Application: _|Variations |Tendency ‘Tendency + Basic [Travel Graphs. (omy! (6Myx|Probabilty (eM) {6M)] Q11 |Variations + Variations + Measures of Disper More about Polynomials |Mensuration |Quadratic Equations + Measures of Central |+ Quadratic Equations (6M)) (6M)|Tendency (6M)x| 0) Q12 |Mensuration |More about Polynomials |Equations of Circles + | Measures of Central | (7M)x|+ Quadratic Equations Locus |Tendency + Measures (7Myx| (7M) |of Dispersion (7M)| Q13 |More about Polynomials |Mensuration \Varlations + Plane Geometry I+ Quadratic Graphs (7M)*| Quadratic Graphs (Congrueney and (7M) (eM)|Simiiarty) Thy [a14 |Locus + Equations of [Equations of Giles + |Mensuration Equations of Straight ‘Circles + Mensuration Locus + Mensuration: (8M)x/jLines + Equations of (om) com) Circles. con]coompulsory Part Section B (35 marks) (> indicates questions that require ‘Explain Your Answer) HKKDSE 2012 Paper | HKDSE 2013 Paper | HKDSE 2014 Paper | HKDSE 2015 Paper ‘Q15 [Measures of Dispersion [Measures of Dispersion [Logarithmic Measures of Dispersion - (Myx (4M)x| Transformation (amy em) Q16 [Permutation and |Permutation and [Summation of Permutation and ‘Combination + More |Combination + More [Arithmetic Sequences + |Combination + More labout Probability labout Probability (Quadratic Inequality [about Probability (4m) (al) (any) (aM) Q17 [Equations of Circles + [Quadratic Equations | Applications of ‘Summation of |Quadratic Equations (6Myx|Trigonometry in 3D Arithmetic Sequences. (7m) (7Myx|+ Logarithmic Functions + Quadratic Inequalities (6M) 018 [Applications of lApplications of Linear Programming Quadratic Graphs |Trigonometry in 3D. |Trigonometry in 3D (8M)*|+ Transformation of (eux (en IGraphs + Plane |Geometry (Centres of Itriangle) (OM) x) Q19 [Summation of [Summation of ‘Summation of lApplications of |Geometric Sequences +|Geometric Sequences +|Geometric Sequences +|Trigonometry in 3D Exponential and Exponential and (More about Probability (13M) | Logarithmic Functions + | Logarithmic Functions + (13Myx| {Quacratic Inequality | Quadratic Inequality (a3amyx| (13M) 10compulsory Part J Marks Distribution of Paper 1 HKDSE 2012 Paper HKKDSE 2013 Paper HKDSE 2014 Paper HKDSE 2015 Paper Total Total Total Total ‘Questions: % | Questions % | Questions % | Questions % Marks Marks: Marks Marks: 1-03, a1-a5, at-a4, ai-a4, 05,06, a9,a10, | 35 /33%) a6-a8, | 39 | 37%] 0 | 35 [sam] a6.a7, | 33 | 31% ai2 Q10, a13 aes 29, 13 a4 Q6 - 08, 05, 29, a4, a7, | 05, a8, ant, 70 |67%{Qtt,a12,} 66 | 63% /a10-a13, 70 | 67% }a10~-a12,) 72 | 69% Q13- 19 a14- 019 a15-a19 Qi4-ars! 105 105 105 [105 Table 1 Marks Distribution between Junior Form Topics and Senior Form Topics HKDSE 2012 Paper | HKDSE 2013 Paper | HKDSE 2014 Paper | HKDSE 2015 Paper Total Total Total Total ‘Questions ‘Questions: ‘Questions Questions Marks Marks Marks Marks Qt-as, Qt- a3, i, a2, ai-a6, 28, at, as-a7, a4-a7, an,ars, | 47 4 45 48 ag 12,017, 213, a5, 210, a1, a | 216, a18 217, 018 28, 29, Qs, a7, 28, 09, 8, a8, aia, | 41 jaa) 32 | ara} 32 | aia] 39 217,018 are. ai arg 9, 210, 24,011, 03, a12, 7 19 2 18 215, a16 aia 15, a16 - - a 10 6 - - 105 105 105 | 105 Table 2 Marks Distribution among Different Strands 1compulsory Part B. Trends Observed in the four HKDSE papers (Paper 1) Section A(1 (@ There are a total of 9 questions and each question carries 3 — 5 marks. (ii) The most popular topics in Section A(1) are: (1) Laws of Indices @) Formulas (3) Factorization (4) Plane Geometry (6) Simultaneous Equations © Percentages (7) Compound Inequalities Most of the questions are set on junior form topics. Section A(2) (There are a total of 5 questions and each question carries 6 ~9 marks. (ii) The most popular topics in Section A(2) are: (2) Variation ++ Quadratic Graphs / Functions (2) Equations of Circles (3) Measures of Central Tendency (4) More about Polynomials (S) Mensuration (iii) More than half of the questions are cross-topic questions. (iv) In general, the number of questions with ‘Explain your answer’ in this section is more than that in Section A(1). (Note that there are no EYA questions in Section A(1) in 2015 DSE paper.) Section B @ There are a total of 5 questions in this section. They include short questions (3 — 5 marks) and structural questions (8 marks or above). Gi) Questions are often set on the following topies in Section B: (1) Applications of Trigonometry in 3D (2) Solving Probability Problems by Using Permutation and Combination (3) Summation of Arithmetic / Geometric Sequence (4) Measure of Dispersion (ii) More than half of the questions involve ‘Explain your answer’. (iv) The last question in the paper carries the highest marks (13 marks). The question is quite lengthy, usually with complicated description of a real-life situation. The question is used to differentiate students with high ability from others. 12Compulsory Part Others (@ _Ineach section, at least one of the questions is set with a real-life application context. j) No diagrams are provided in questions on coordinate geometry. For questions on other topics, diagrams or figures provided may not include all the given information in the questions. Students may have to enrich the diagrams based on the questions before solving the questions. C. Questions Distribution of Paper 2 estions D n between Junior Form To} Number of Questions “Junior Form ‘Senior Form Topics Topics HKDSE 2012 | _ Section A 19 " Paper Section 8 1 14 HKDSE 2013 SectionA | 18 12 Paper Section B | 1 14 HKDSE 2014 Section A 19 11 Paper Section B 4 14 HKDSE 2015 Section A 19 1 | Paper Section B 1 14 Questions Distribution among Different Strands Number of Questions Number and | Measure, Shape Algebra and Space | o@ Handling HKDSE 2012 Section A 1% 12 4 Paper Section 8 8 4 3 HKDSE 2013 Section A 3 12 5 Paper Section 8 8 6 2 HKDSE 2014 Section A iad 12 _4 Paper Section B 8 4 3 HKDSE 2015 Section A 14 2 4 Paper Secion3 | 7 8 ieee 13Co*pulsory Part D. Trends Observed in the four HKDSE papers (Paper 2) i (In Section A, the ratio of the number of questions on junior form topics to that on senior form topics is about 2:1. (ii) In Section B, all the questions involve senior form topies except the one on the conversion of numbers between different numeral systems. (iii) The numbers of questions under different strands are nearly the same in the past four HKDSE papers. (iv) Diagrams are provided for most of the questions involving plane geometry, However, not all information given in the questions is shown on the diagrams. (v) Diagrams are not provided in most of the questions involving coordinate geometry. (vi) More cross-topic questions are found in HKDSE 2014 and 2015 papers. (vii) Difficult questions are set in both Section A and Section B to differentiate students with high ability from others. 14