QCE Specialist Maths Paper 2

Paper 2 is the technology-active paper: short response and multiple choice questions on Units 3 and 4, with 5 minutes of perusal and 90 minutes of working time. You may use a QCAA-approved graphics calculator without CAS and/or a QCAA-approved scientific calculator, but no notes. The formula book is provided, and the paper is worth 25%.

External assessment	One examination worth 50%, set and marked by the QCAA
Paper 1	Technology-free, 25%: short response and multiple choice
Paper 2	Technology-active, 25%: short response and multiple choice
Time	5 minutes perusal and 90 minutes working time for each paper; the formula book is provided
Internal assessment	Set by your school: a modelling task 20%, two short response examinations 15% each

Use the calculator for what it does well

Determinants, inverses and matrix equations beyond 2 by 2, and Leslie matrix projections.
Normal probabilities and quantiles for sample means, confidence intervals, and exponential random variable probabilities.
Evaluating definite integrals, volumes and Simpson's rule sums, after you have written the integral or sum the question needs.

Show the method, not only the answer

Write the setup a calculator answer comes from: the matrix equation, the integral and its limits, the distribution and its parameters.
State the accuracy of a decimal answer, and use unrounded values in later parts unless told otherwise.
Read the context for units, the domain and what a velocity, a volume or an interval means.

Try 3 questions

Paper 2 · Multiple choice · 1 mark · Further complex numbers
The fifth roots of unity are the vertices of a regular pentagon in the complex plane. Given that $\sin\left(\frac{2 \pi}{5}\right) = 0.9511$ , the area of the pentagon, correct to two decimal places, is
Answer it, every step marked
Paper 2 · Short response · 8 marks · Further complex numbers
A drawing program makes a spiral of points in the complex plane. It starts at $z_{0} = 10$ and makes each new point by multiplying the previous one by $u = 0.9\,\mathrm{cis}(0.5)$ , so $z_{n} = u\,z_{n - 1}$ for $n \ge 1$ and $z_{n} = 10 u^{n}$ .
Answer it, every step marked
Paper 2 · Multiple choice · 1 mark · Further complex numbers
Let $z = 3 - 4 i$ . Given that $\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{4}{3}\right) = 0.9273$ , which of the following is $z^{5}$ in polar form, with the principal argument correct to two decimal places?
Answer it, every step marked

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Questions people ask

Which calculator can I use in Paper 2?

A handheld QCAA-approved graphics calculator with no CAS functionality and/or a handheld QCAA-approved scientific calculator. No notes are allowed; the formula book is provided.

Is Paper 2 all calculator questions?

It is technology-active, so a calculator is allowed throughout, but many parts still need working by hand. It has short response and multiple choice questions.

How is our timed Paper 2 set out?

Our timed Paper 2 has 10 multiple choice questions and about 50 marks of short response in 90 minutes, all technology-active. That is our practice structure, not the QCAA's.