180 minutes · 120 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: English language and literature
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving english language and literature, 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: Mathematics
10 marks
A simulated object's height above the ground is modelled by h(t) = −5t² + 20t + 1.5 metres, where t is seconds after release. The model is valid only until the object first reaches the ground.
Evidence
- The coefficient of t² is −5, so the graph opens downward.
- The starting height is 1.5 m.
- A learner reports the maximum at t = 4 s because 20 ÷ 5 = 4, then uses a negative root as the landing time.
Calculate the time and height of the maximum and the positive time when the model predicts ground contact. Show a quadratic method, units and a substitution check. State the physical domain of the model.
Challenge: Identify both errors in the learner's answer and one assumption that could make the real flight differ from the model.
Marking criteria and answer guide
- 2 marks: vertex time t = −b/(2a) = 2 s
- 2 marks: maximum height h(2) = 21.5 m
- 3 marks: solves h(t) = 0 and selects positive root approximately 4.07 s
- 1 mark: substitution or independent check with coherent units
- 2 marks: corrects the vertex and root errors and states 0 ≤ t ≤ about 4.07 s plus a model limitation
- For a = −5 and b = 20, vertex time = −20/(2 × −5) = 2 s.
- h(2) = −5(2²) + 20(2) + 1.5 = 21.5 m.
- Ground contact solves −5t² + 20t + 1.5 = 0. Multiplying by −1 gives 5t² − 20t − 1.5 = 0, so t = (20 ± √430)/10.
- The positive root is about 4.07 s; the negative root is outside the physical domain. Substitution gives a height close to zero, allowing for rounding.
- The model applies from t = 0 until first contact. The maximum is at 2 s, not 4 s; air resistance or an inaccurate acceleration assumption could change the observed height.
Task 3: Further mathematics
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving further mathematics, 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
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving physics, 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: Chemistry
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving chemistry, 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
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving biology, 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
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving history, 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: Geography
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving geography, 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: Economics
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving economics, 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: Government and civic studies
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving government and civic studies, 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: Computer science
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving computer science, 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: Research and study skills
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving research and study skills, 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