Independent preparation for the SQA Higher Applications of Mathematics exam. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Qualifications Scotland (SQA).

Higher Applications of Maths exam date 2027

In 2027 the Higher Applications of Mathematics question paper is sat on the afternoon of Monday 26 April, from 13:00 to 15:05. It is one paper of 2 hours 5 minutes, on a computer with spreadsheet and statistical software.

Weeks before your first paper

Hours a week for maths

Topic 1: Mathematical modelling and spreadsheets

Topic 2: Probability and statistical literacy

Topic 3: Correlation, regression and hypothesis tests

Topic 4: Interest and the time value of money

Topic 5: Credit, savings, insurance, tax and inflation

Topic 6: Planning and decision making

26 weeks, 104 hours in all

Start with Topic 1

Mathematical modelling and spreadsheets: 24 of your hours. It is 5 of the 40 questions on our timed checks, 25%.

Hours per topic
Topic	Your hours	Share of the checks
Topic 1: Mathematical modelling and spreadsheets	24	25%
Topic 4: Interest and the time value of money	19.2	20%
Topic 2: Probability and statistical literacy	14.4	15%
Topic 5: Credit, savings, insurance, tax and inflation	14.4	15%
Topic 6: Planning and decision making	14.4	15%
Topic 3: Correlation, regression and hypothesis tests	9.6	10%

Week by week

Week 1Section 1: Mathematical modelling and spreadsheets
Week 2Section 1: Mathematical modelling and spreadsheets
Week 3Section 1: Mathematical modelling and spreadsheets
Week 4Section 1: Mathematical modelling and spreadsheets
Week 5Section 1: Mathematical modelling and spreadsheets
Week 6Section 1: Mathematical modelling and spreadsheets
Week 7Section 4: Interest and the time value of money
Week 8Section 4: Interest and the time value of money
Week 9Section 4: Interest and the time value of money
Week 10Section 4: Interest and the time value of money
Week 11Section 4: Interest and the time value of money, Section 2: Probability and statistical literacy
Week 12Section 2: Probability and statistical literacy
Week 13Section 2: Probability and statistical literacy
Week 14Section 2: Probability and statistical literacy
Week 15Section 2: Probability and statistical literacy, Section 5: Credit, savings, insurance, tax and inflation
Week 16Section 5: Credit, savings, insurance, tax and inflation
Week 17Section 5: Credit, savings, insurance, tax and inflation
Week 18Section 5: Credit, savings, insurance, tax and inflation
Week 19Section 6: Planning and decision making
Week 20Section 6: Planning and decision making
Week 21Section 6: Planning and decision making
Week 22Section 6: Planning and decision making, Section 3: Correlation, regression and hypothesis tests
Week 23Section 3: Correlation, regression and hypothesis tests
Week 24Section 3: Correlation, regression and hypothesis tests
Week 25A timed check and two paper-style questions, then review every lost mark
Week 26A timed check and two paper-style questions, then review every lost mark

Check your topics with the free test

Date	Monday 26 April 2027
Time	13:00 to 15:05
Paper	One question paper, 65 marks

Planning back from 26 April

Use the planner below: tell it how many weeks are left and how sure you are of each section, and it splits your hours by section and keeps the last weeks for timed checks and paper-style questions.

Try 2 questions

Question 1Calculator or spreadsheet

Discount factors at 5% a year. 1 year: 0.952381. 2 years: 0.907029. 3 years: 0.863838. 4 years: 0.822702.
Years	Discount factor $1.05^{-t}$
1	0.952381
2	0.907029
3	0.863838
4	0.822702

A charity is promised 2000 pounds in 1 year, 3500 pounds in 2 years and 1000 pounds in 4 years. The effective annual rate of interest is 5%. The table shows the discount factors. What is the present value of the three payments, to the nearest penny?

Question 2Calculator or spreadsheet

A precedence table for organising a ceilidh. A, book venue: 3 days, preceded by none. B, design posters: 2 days, preceded by none. C, book band: 4 days, preceded by A. D, print posters: 1 days, preceded by B. E, sell tickets: 6 days, preceded by C, D. F, arrange catering: 3 days, preceded by A. G, set up hall: 1 days, preceded by E, F.
Activity	Description	Duration (days)	Immediate predecessors
A	book venue	3	None
B	design posters	2	None
C	book band	4	A
D	print posters	1	B
E	sell tickets	6	C, D
F	arrange catering	3	A
G	set up hall	1	E, F

The table shows the activities for organising a ceilidh. Which activities can start at the very beginning of the project?

Next step

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Questions people ask

How long is the exam?

One question paper of 2 hours 5 minutes, worth 65 marks, which are scaled to 80 of the course's 110 marks.

When is the project done?

During the course, in about 8 hours, and submitted by a date your school or college is given. It is not sat on the exam day.