WACE Mathematics Applications most tested topics
Across the 12 SCSA Mathematics Applications external papers from 2020 to 2025, Networks and decision mathematics carries 24.1% of the marks against 8.4% for Time series analysis, so the paper rewards Networks and decision mathematics more than any other topic. At dot-point level 4.2.7 carries 6.8% of paper marks, and three of the 65 dot points that the board assesses externally have not appeared in one of these papers. Every percentage below covers the 100.0% of marks that map to a syllabus dot point.
Computed from 12 SCSA Mathematics Applications external papers, 2020 to 2025: 89 questions, 464 question parts and 902 marks.
Unit, topic and dot-point shares below are of the 902 marks that map to a dot point, so each of those tables adds to 100%. 111 of the 464 parts are assessed against more than one dot point, and their 224 marks are divided evenly between the dot points they cover.
What these papers are
| Year | Paper | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Paper 1 | 5 | 51 |
| 2025 | Paper 2 | 8 | 100 |
| 2024 | Paper 1 | 5 | 54 |
| 2024 | Paper 2 | 8 | 99 |
| 2023 | Paper 1 | 6 | 52 |
| 2023 | Paper 2 | 8 | 97 |
| 2022 | Paper 1 | 7 | 54 |
| 2022 | Paper 2 | 10 | 97 |
| 2021 | Paper 1 | 7 | 52 |
| 2021 | Paper 2 | 9 | 94 |
| 2020 | Paper 1 | 6 | 47 |
| 2020 | Paper 2 | 10 | 105 |
Marks by unit
| Unit | Share of marks |
|---|---|
| Unit 4: Time Series, Finance and Networks | 52.5% |
| Unit 3: Bivariate Data, Sequences and Graphs | 47.5% |
Marks by topic
| Topic | Share of marks | Papers it appears in | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Networks and decision mathematics | 24.1% | 12 of 12 | 6 of 6 |
| Bivariate data analysis | 22.6% | 12 of 12 | 6 of 6 |
| Loans, investments and annuities | 20.1% | 6 of 12 | 6 of 6 |
| Growth and decay in sequences | 13.2% | 11 of 12 | 6 of 6 |
| Graphs and networks | 11.8% | 10 of 12 | 6 of 6 |
| Time series analysis | 8.4% | 6 of 12 | 6 of 6 |
Marks by dot point
Dot-point numbers and wording are SCSA's own. Where a dot point is written as a list, its items run together here separated by semicolons.
| Dot point | Content | Topic | Share of marks | Papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2.7 | 4.2.7 with the aid of a financial calculator or computer-based financial software, solve problems involving annuities (including perpetuities as a special case) | Loans, investments and annuities | 6.8% | 6 of 12 |
| 4.3.9 | 4.3.9 solve small-scale network flow problems, including the use of the ‘maximum flow-minimum cut’ theorem | Networks and decision mathematics | 5.9% | 6 of 12 |
| 4.2.5 | 4.2.5 with the aid of a financial calculator or computer-based financial software, solve problems involving reducing balance loans | Loans, investments and annuities | 5.3% | 6 of 12 |
| 4.3.11 | 4.3.11 determine the optimum assignment(s), by inspection for small-scale problems, or by use of the Hungarian algorithm for larger problems | Networks and decision mathematics | 4.5% | 6 of 12 |
| 3.1.2 | 3.1.2 construct two-way frequency tables and determine the associated row and column sums and percentages | Bivariate data analysis | 3.2% | 6 of 12 |
| 3.1.11 | 3.1.11 use a residual plot to assess the appropriateness of fitting a linear model to the data | Bivariate data analysis | 3.1% | 7 of 12 |
| 3.2.8 | 3.2.8 use geometric sequences to model and analyse (numerically, or graphically only) practical problems involving geometric growth and decay | Growth and decay in sequences | 3.1% | 7 of 12 |
| 3.2.4 | 3.2.4 use arithmetic sequences to model and analyse practical situations involving linear growth or decay | Growth and decay in sequences | 3.0% | 7 of 12 |
| 4.1.4 | 4.1.4 calculate seasonal indices by using the average percentage method | Time series analysis | 2.9% | 6 of 12 |
| 4.3.4 | 4.3.4 construct a network to represent the durations and interdependencies of activities that must be completed during the project | Networks and decision mathematics | 2.9% | 6 of 12 |
| 3.3.7 | 3.3.7 investigate and solve practical problems to determine the shortest path between two vertices in a weighted graph (by trial-and-error methods only) | Graphs and networks | 2.4% | 6 of 12 |
| 4.3.3 | 4.3.3 use minimal spanning trees to solve minimal connector problems | Networks and decision mathematics | 2.3% | 6 of 12 |
| 4.1.7 | 4.1.7 predict from regression lines, making seasonal adjustments for periodic data | Time series analysis | 2.1% | 6 of 12 |
| 4.2.3 | 4.2.3 with the aid of a calculator or computer-based financial software, solve problems involving compound interest loans, investments and depreciating assets | Loans, investments and annuities | 2.1% | 4 of 12 |
| 4.2.4 | 4.2.4 use a recurrence relation to model a reducing balance loan and investigate (numerically or graphically) the effect of the interest rate and repayment amount on the time taken to repay the loan | Loans, investments and annuities | 2.1% | 5 of 12 |
| 4.2.6 | 4.2.6 use a recurrence relation to model an annuity, and investigate (numerically or graphically) the effect of the amount invested, the interest rate, and the payment amount on the duration of the annuity | Loans, investments and annuities | 2.0% | 5 of 12 |
| 3.3.9 | 3.3.9 demonstrate the meanings of, and use, the terms: Hamiltonian graph and semi-Hamiltonian graph, and use these concepts to investigate and solve practical problems | Graphs and networks | 1.9% | 6 of 12 |
| 3.1.15 | 3.1.15 distinguish between interpolation and extrapolation when using the fitted line to make predictions, recognising the potential dangers of extrapolation | Bivariate data analysis | 1.9% | 8 of 12 |
| 3.1.7 | 3.1.7 calculate, using technology, and interpret the correlation coefficient () to quantify the strength of a linear association | Bivariate data analysis | 1.9% | 9 of 12 |
| 3.1.10 | 3.1.10 model a linear relationship by fitting a least-squares line to the data | Bivariate data analysis | 1.8% | 7 of 12 |
These 20 dot points carry 61.2% of the paper marks between them. Another 42 assessed dot points share the rest, and 3 of the 65 externally assessable dot points have not been assessed in any of these 12 papers. Content that has not appeared is still examinable.
What has moved between papers
Comparing the 2020 to 2022 papers with the 2023 to 2025 papers, one topic has moved by more than 3.0 percentage points.
| Topic | 2020 to 2022 share | 2023 to 2025 share | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphs and networks | 13.5% | 10.0% | down 3.5 points |
How the papers are built
Short answer carries 100.0% of the marks across these 12 papers.
| Question type | Share of marks | Marks | Parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short answer | 100.0% | 902 | 464 |
| Verb | Share of marks | Marks | Parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| determine | 30.4% | 274 | 127 |
| calculate | 10.9% | 98 | 45 |
| state | 6.5% | 59 | 38 |
| justify | 4.9% | 44 | 21 |
| draw | 3.7% | 33 | 18 |
| explain | 3.4% | 31 | 18 |
| predict | 2.9% | 26 | 14 |
| identify | 2.8% | 25 | 18 |
What these percentages do not tell you
Where to practise
Every topic above links to its own page of real SCSA questions with marking criteria and average scores attached: Networks and decision mathematics, Bivariate data analysis, Loans, investments and annuities, Growth and decay in sequences, Graphs and networks and Time series analysis. For how students actually score on this content, read WACE Mathematics Applications hardest topics, and for the full question bank start at WACE Mathematics Applications.
Frequently asked questions
Which topic carries the most marks in the WACE Mathematics Applications external exam?
Networks and decision mathematics carries 24.1% of the marks across the 12 SCSA papers from 2020 to 2025, ahead of Bivariate data analysis on 22.6%.
How are marks split between question types in the WACE Mathematics Applications exam?
Short answer carries 100.0% of the marks, measured across 12 papers and 902 marks from 2020 to 2025.
Has the topic balance changed in recent WACE Mathematics Applications papers?
Yes. Graphs and networks moved down 3.5 percentage points between the 2020 to 2022 and 2023 to 2025 papers.
How many past papers is this WACE Mathematics Applications analysis based on?
12 SCSA external papers from 2020 to 2025, covering 89 questions and 902 marks. 0.0% of those marks carry no dot-point mapping and sit outside the percentages.
Sources
- ATAR Mathematics Applications Course Examination, SCSA, 2025. 12 papers, 2020 to 2025, covering 89 questions and 902 marks. Listed individually in the table at the top of this guide. Dot-point numbering follows the current SCSA Mathematics Applications syllabus.
Syllabus and assessment material referenced in this guide is used under licence, © School Curriculum and Standards Authority. See our SCSA licensing notice. The School Curriculum and Standards Authority does not endorse this publication or product.
Keep reading
Practise what you just read
Work through real SCSA Mathematics Applications questions and get your written answers marked against the official criteria, instantly.