195 minutes · 130 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: Research design and ethics
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving research design and ethics, 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: Advanced law and public policy
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving advanced law and public policy, 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, audit and economics
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving finance, audit and 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 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: Strategy, leadership and innovation
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving strategy, leadership and innovation, 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: Advanced computing, data and AI
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving advanced computing, data and ai, 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: Engineering and complex systems
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving engineering and complex systems, 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: Advanced sciences and experimental design
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving advanced sciences and experimental design, 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: Public health and health systems
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving public health and health systems, 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: Education research
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving education research, 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: Social research and development
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving social research 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 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: Advanced communication and humanities
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving advanced communication and humanities, 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: Environment, agriculture and transitions
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving environment, agriculture and transitions, 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: Dissertation, project and defence
10 marks
A school, community or employer must make a decision involving dissertation, project and defence, 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