A study on relevance of G. C. E. (Ordinary Level) mathematics examination paper for the Sri Lanka educational needs,

Abstract

There are three main requirements in the G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) Mathematics paper. These requirements are for the purpose of qualifying for Advanced Level classes in any subject stream, to get selected for Advanced Level Science or Mathematics streams and to gain essential abilities for Technical Education. All these requirements should be met through a single paper. Therefore it is essential that the Mathematics paper at G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) Examination is prepared so that it meets all these requirements. The objectives of this study to prepare a structure (model format) for a suggested Ordinary Level Mathematics paper calculated to accommodate the Mathematical skills needed to follow each area of studies students enter after their G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) Examination and to prepare some model questions based on this proposed structure, as exemplars. 125 practicing teachers from two districts, Colombo and Kegalle, 10 academic personnel from the National Institute of Education and 10 academic personnel from technical training institutes, were interviewed to gather data. Interview transcripts were analysed. A blue print for an exemplar Mathematics examination paper was prepared based on the analysis of data and taking the Themes of Mathematics, Assessment Aspects of Mathematics and Performance Standards into consideration. Suggested questions under each theme are given as exemplars.