225 minutes · 150 marks. Questions require evidence, reasoning and application; answers cannot be identified by guessing a short option.
Some tasks use shared beta scenarios and still need subject-specific authoring and academic review.
Task 1: Academic research and writing
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving academic research and writing, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 10 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 2: Law and governance
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving law and governance, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 13 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 3: Finance and accounting
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving finance and accounting, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 16 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 4: Economics and business
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving economics and business, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 19 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 5: Computing and software
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving computing and software, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 22 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 6: Data and artificial intelligence
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving data and artificial intelligence, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 25 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 7: Engineering and construction
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving engineering and construction, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 28 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 8: Mathematics and physical sciences
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving mathematics and physical sciences, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 31 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 9: Chemistry and biological sciences
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving chemistry and biological sciences, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 34 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 10: Public health and social care
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving public health and social care, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 37 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 11: Education and learning
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving education and learning, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 40 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 12: Social sciences and development
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving social sciences and development, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 43 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 13: Languages, media and communication
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving languages, media and communication, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 46 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 14: Agriculture, environment and sustainability
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving agriculture, environment and sustainability, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 49 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence
Task 15: Arts, design and architecture
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving arts, design and architecture, but the information provided is incomplete and two stakeholders disagree about the strongest conclusion.
Evidence
- Source A provides a dated quantitative claim but does not explain its sampling method.
- Source B provides a detailed professional account but may reflect one organisation’s interests.
- A new constraint changes one cost, risk or assumption by 52 percent.
Write a reasoned response that selects and applies an appropriate method, uses the evidence precisely, addresses the strongest alternative and reaches a conditional recommendation.
Challenge: State what additional evidence could overturn your conclusion and how you would verify it.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- Method is relevant and explained
- Evidence is interpreted rather than copied
- Calculations, terminology or citations are accurate
- Alternative and uncertainty are addressed
- Conclusion follows from the analysis
- Define the decision and constraints
- Evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source
- Apply the discipline-specific method step by step
- Compare at least two defensible interpretations
- Give a checked conclusion with limitations and next evidence