Analysis of the Mathematics Matsec, May 1996 core paper

Abstract

In this study the performance of the candidates who sat for the Mathematics MATSEC May 1996 'Core Paper' that forms part of Paper I will be critically analysed. The study will be based on the 2878 available scripts out of the 3153 registered candidates. This paper will be examined and evaluated item by item through an item analysis process to determine the degree of difficulty of each item and to see whether the items discriminate between the high ability candidates and the low achievers. The items will be scrutinised to see whether they involve problem-solving or merely routine procedures. An investigation on the types of errors that the candidates performed will also be made. A comparison will be made between those candidates ·who opted for Paper IIA or Paper IIB, and considerable differences in their achievement will be highlighted.