A. Introduction
The Mathematics Curriculum for SS(S4-S6) is a continuation of the existing Mathematics curriculum at the junior level (S1- S3) and it is a core subject for the senior secondary level.

B. Overall Aims
1. To further develop students’ mathematical knowledge, skills and concepts.
2. To provide students with mathematical tools for their personal development and to further their career pathways.
3. To provide a foundation for students who may further their studies in Mathematics or other related areas.
4. To develop in students generic skills, and in particular, the ability to use mathematics to solve problems, give reasons and communicate with the others.
5. To develop in students an interest in and positive attitude towards mathematics learning.
6. To develop students competence in dealing with mathematics needed in life.
7. To help students to fulfil their potential in mathematics.

C. Framework of Curriculum
The structure of the curriculum for SS can be represented diagrammatically as follows:
ss334_maths_sectionC
All SS students may have one of the following three options:-
1. Take the Compulsory Part only
2. Take the Compulsory Part with module 1 only.
3. Take the Compulsory Part with module 2 only.

D. Organization of Curriculum
1. Compulsory Part
(a) Course weight —- 10% to 12.5% of the total lesson time.
(b) Learning units :-
S4 topics(suggested)
—- Number System.
—- Quadratic equations.
—- Introduction of functions
—-Graph of quadratic functions and their graphs.
—- Equations of straight lines
—- Exponential and logarithmic functions.
—- More about equations
—- Trigonometric functions
—- Basic properties of circles

S5 topics(suggested)
—- Circles and tangents
—- More about inequalities
—- Applications of trigonometry in 2-dimensional problems
—- Locus and equation of circles
—- Variations
—- More about graphs of functions
—- Measures of dispersion

S6 topics(suggested)
—- Arithmetic and geometric sequences and their summations.
—- Llinear programming.
—- Use and abuses of statistics
—- Further applications
—- Inquiry and investigation

(c) Total learning time — 270 hours to 338 hours

2. Extended part
(a) Course weight —- 2.5% to 5 % of the total lesson time.
(b) Learning units:-
    Module 1 (Calculus and Statistics)
S4 topics(suggested)
—- Binomial expansion
—- Exponential and logarithmic functions
—- Derivative of a function
—- Differentiation of a function
—- Second derivative of a function
—- Application of differentiation

S5 topics(suggested)
—- Indefinite integrals and its applications
—- Definite integrals and its applications
—- Approximation of definite integrals by trapezoidal rule
—- Conditional probability and independence
—- Bayes’s theorem
—- Discrete random variables
—- Probability distribution and expectation
—- Some discrete distributions and their applications

S6 topics(suggested)
—- Normal distribution and its applications
—- Sampling distribution and point estimates
—- Confidence interval for a population
—- Inquiry and investigation

    Module 2 ( Algebra and Calculus )
S4 topics(suggested)
—- Surds
—- Mathematical induction
—- Binomial theorem
—- More about trigonometric functions
—- Introduction to the number ‘e’
—- Limits of functions
—- Differentiation

S5 topics(suggested)
—- Application of differentiation
—- Indefinite integrals and techniques of integration
—- Definite integrals and its applications
—- Determinants
—- Matrices

S6 topics(suggested)
—- System of linear equations
—- Introduction to vectors
—- Scalar product and vector product of vectors
—- Applications of vectors
—- Inquiry and investigation

E. Relationship between Mathematics(S1–3) Syllabus and SS Mathematics Curriculum

Mathematics (S1 – S3) SS Mathematics
Identities and Factorization
Linear Equation in One Unknown
More about Factorization
Quadratic Equation
Introduction to Coordinates
Coordinate Geometry
Functions and Graphs
Law of Integral Indices Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Algebraic Expressions and Polynomials
Identities and Factorization
More about Polynomials
Rate and Ratio Variation
Angle in Rectilinear Figures
Congruent and Similar Triangles
Theorems Related to Triangles
Properties of Quadrilaterals
Basic Properties of Circles
Introduction to Trigonometric Ratios
Application of Trigonometry
More about Trigonometry
Number Pattern
Formulae
Arithmetic and Geometric Sequence and their Summations
Linear Equation in Two Unknowns
Inequality
Inequalities and Linear Programming
Introduction to Coordinates
Coordinate Geometry
Equations of Straight lines and Circles
Introduction to Probability More about Probability
Measure of Central Tendency Measures of Dispersion
Use and Misuse of Statistics Use and Abuses of Statistics

F. Public assessment
All students who finish studying S6 will sit for a public examination called The
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education(HKDSE). It provides a common
end-of-school credential that gives access to university study, work, further study
or other training.

The assessment arrangements in the public examination are outlined in the
following tables:

1. Compulsory Part

Content Weight Duration
Public Examination Paper 1 Conventional questions
Paper 2 Multiple choice
65%
35%

2 hrs 15 mins.
1 hr. 15 mins

2. Module 1 (Calculus and Statistics)

Component Weight Duration
Public Examination Conventional questions 100% 2 hrs 30 mins.

3. Module 2 (Algebra and Calculus)

Component Weight Duration
Public Examination Conventional questions 100% 2 hrs 30 mins.

Note. There will be no SBA for the above modules.
Finally, the HKDSE will make use of standards-referenced reporting assessment, which means that candidates’ level of performance will be reported with reference to a set of standards as defined by cut scores on the variable or scale for a given subject as follows:

ss334_maths_sectionF3

Within the context of the HKDSE there will be five cut scores which will be used to distinguish five levels of performance with “5” being the highest. Performance below the threshold cut score of level 1 will be labeled as “ Unclassified” (U).
To maintain current levels of discrimination for selection purposes, some level 5 candidates with an outstanding performance will have their results annotated with the symbol ** or * and there will also be a Statement of Results which will provide additional level descriptors.

The levels awarded to candidates in the Extended Part will be reported separately from the Compulsory Part.