Mathematics Methods focuses on the use of calculus and statistical analysis, broken into four units across the two-year course. It is by no means an easy course, but that does not make Methods impossible. With dedicated study and effort, the course features highly enjoyable yet complicated mathematics and introduces students to calculus for the first time, a skill heavily required for further mathematical studies.
Course Content and Structure
Unit 1
- Counting and Probability: an introduction to combinations, followed by learning set notation and the fundamentals of probability including conditional probability and independence.
- Functions and Graphs: linear, quadratic and polynomial relationships and an introduction to function notation.
- Trigonometric functions: furthering students' understanding of trigonometry to involve the sine and cosine rules, radian measure and trigonometric graphs.
Unit 2
- Exponential Functions: reviewing indices and index laws and then extending to exponential functions.
- Arithmetic and geometric sequences and series: learning about series and sequences to then be applied to contexts around growth and decay.
- Introduction to differential calculus: an introduction to the basics of calculus from rates of change through to the antiderivative.
Unit 3
- Further differentiation and applications: students learn to differentiate exponential and trigonometric functions as well as differentiate rules and applications of differentiation.
- Integrals: expansion of anti-differentiation to definite integrals and the applications of integration.
- Discrete Random Variables: students learn about the Bernoulli and Binomial distributions.
Unit 4
- The logarithmic function: students are exposed to rules relating to the log function and relevant calculus techniques.
- Continuous random variables and the normal distribution
- Interval estimates for proportions: students learn about sampling and confidence intervals.
Manoj Arachige
Assessment Structure & Final Exam
Schools set their own assessments until the WACE exam, typically consisting of 2-3 tests (40%) and an investigation (20%) each semester. Tests normally contain both calculator-free and calculator-assumed sections and are related to smaller topic areas. Investigations can vary more from school to school but aim to make students think outside the box using skills learnt during the units. The structure of the final WACE exam and most in-school examinations is:
Section 1: Calculator free
50 minutes working time
Questions examine content that can be completed reasonably without a calculator, this section avoids undue emphasis on algebraic manipulations or time-consuming calculations.
Section 2: Calculator assumed
100 minutes working time
Questions can involve solving problems, investigating mathematical patterns, applying reasoning skills and interpreting results, all with assuming use of a calculator.
More in-depth resources can be found on the SCSA website.
You should WACE Maths Methods if...
1) You have excellent grades.
Attaining high scores through year 10 will set you up best for success in Methods. Students considering Methods should aim to have mathematics grades of As or high Bs to ensure they have the best base to study the subject in ATAR. If you are worried that this is not you, working with an experienced KIS tutor through years 9 and 10 can help increase your grades and understanding. Mathematics Methods is not an easy subject and should not be undertaken without suitable preparation in lower years.
2) You like the style of mathematics.
Each ATAR mathematics subject has its own area of focus, not just differences in difficulty, as they are often portrayed. Mathematics Applications focuses on financial modelling, geometric and trigonometric analysis, graphical and network analysis, and growth and decay in sequences, whilst Mathematics Specialist provides an opportunity for students to extend beyond the Mathematics Methods course, to develop rigorous mathematical arguments and proofs, and introduce students to topics including vectors, complex numbers and matrices. Deciding whether these areas of mathematics are important, relevant and interesting to you is essential in choosing ATAR subjects that you will excel in. If you are planning on studying maths-based science subjects such as Physics or Chemistry, Methods can be very helpful in improving your algebra-based skills that are used throughout these courses.
3) Methods is a prerequisite for your university degree.
What is a prerequisite? … Courses that are required to be completed before the university units are undertaken. This can include ATAR courses, bridging units or, as you progress further through university, earlier units in your study plan. They provide you with the prior knowledge required for the university unit so that lecturers don’t have to start right from the beginning. Whilst you can get into university courses that have prerequisites without completing them, you will have to complete a bridging unit and this will put you behind in your studies, particularly with more intensive degrees.
Methods is one of the most common ATAR subjects required for university entry. If you are considering any courses in Engineering, Mathematics or Physics, you are more than likely going to be required to complete Methods and often Specialist as well, before undertaking their first-year maths units. Have a look at the university websites to see if your preferred courses have prerequisites.
Tips and Tricks to ace WACE Maths Methods
Go through past exams
Going through previous years WACE exams is the best way to familiarise yourself with the styles of questions that will be asked of you in your final exam. They can give you a good understanding of areas of weakness and whether your time management throughout the paper is suitable.
Be familiar with the formula sheet
Whilst the formula sheet can’t solve the problems for you, being well versed in the structure of the formula sheet can be very helpful in quickly finding relevant equations, saving you time and reducing stress.
Revise older content
Your final WACE exams will include content from both Unit 3 and 4. Revising content for all previous topics throughout the year decreases your study load approaching the WACE exams, and ensures you will be familiar and competent with topics from the whole course. Students who do not revise often struggle with earlier content from the year when it comes to final exams. Having a solid study plan is essential in succeeding in your ATAR course. Check out this blog by a year 12 student who achieved a 99 atar for some extra tips.
Manoj Arachige
Make sure you know the basics
Methods build heavily on both skills from earlier years and skills taught earlier in the course. Having strong algebra and trigonometry skills will put you in a good place for excelling in Methods. In particular, unit 2 ends with starting to explore differential calculus, a skill that is expanded on throughout units 3 and 4. Ensuring you are comfortable with these topics as you progress further into the course, even returning to year 11 questions to revise, helps your skills progress and solidify.
Write a good notes sheet
As with other maths subjects, the WACE Mathematics Methods exam allows two pages of back and front notes to be brought in with students. This is a useful tool in both revision and during an exam, as it allows you to give yourself reminders in areas that you struggle in. Be careful to not just write content that is on the formula sheet already, or content that will only be required in the calculator free section as these will take up unnecessary space. Focus on your areas of weakness, and include more difficult examples and prompts to help you in the harder areas of the exam.
Know how and when to use your classpad
A very useful tool allowed in the calculator allowed section of the exams. The classpad can solve and graph equations for you, as well as having many other functions to save time. Be careful not to use the classpad when working is required in your answers, or in questions when the classpad will take more than five seconds to load an answer.
FAQs
Does WACE Maths Methods receive a 10% bonus?
Mathematics Methods, Specialist and LOTE courses receive a bonus 10% of their achieved WACE mark added to their TEA score. However, as of 2028, this bonus will be removed. If you are a student in year 10 from 2025 onwards, this should not be a consideration in your subject selection.
Can I pair WACE Maths Methods with other maths subjects?
Yes! Mathematics Specialist cannot be taken as a stand-alone course, so all students planning on undertaking Specialist must also complete Methods. You are also able to pair Methods with Applications as of 2023 as it has been deemed the courses no longer overlap too much.
Will WACE Maths Methods be too hard for me?
This is very student-dependent. Methods is a challenging mathematics subject and will push all students. Some students will find the subject easy whilst others struggle to keep up. The mean for the WACE exams is typically around 64-65%. There is no shame is trying a subject and then dropping down if you are interested in learning the content. If you are concerned about the difficulty of the subject, consider investing in a tutor to help you keep pace.
Want personalised study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor can make the biggest difference!
Written by KIS Academics WACE Maths tutor Kate Braid. Kate is currently pursuing a Combined Bachelor and Masters in Frontier Physics at UWA. You can view Kate’s profile here and request her as a tutor.
