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SACE General Mathematics past exams 2017–2025, by year and topic

The official SACE Board exams, marking guides and examiner reports we index, organised by topic and subtopic and labelled with the study design it was written under. Open the official paper, work the question in your own workspace, or bring a tutor into it live.

Index last synced 19 August 2026.

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ATARMAxxing indexes 9 official SACE Board General Mathematics papers from 2017 to 2025, with 53 questions mapped to 6 topics. Every paper opens on the SACE Board website.

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Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current) · 2025–presentSubject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024) · 2017–2024

SACE General Mathematics exams by year: official papers & marking guidance

Past exams indexed: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017. Open the official SACE Board papers, with marking guidance where available.

Year	Study design	Official paper(s)	Marking guidance
2025 SACE General Mathematics exam	Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)	Examination paper ↗	Marking guidance ↗
2024 SACE General Mathematics exam	Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)	Examination paper ↗	Marking guidance ↗
2023 SACE General Mathematics exam	Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)	Examination paper ↗	Marking guidance ↗
2022 SACE General Mathematics exam	Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)	Examination paper ↗	Marking guidance ↗
2021 SACE General Mathematics exam	Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)	Examination paper ↗	Marking guidance ↗
2020 SACE General Mathematics exam	Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)	Examination paper ↗	—
2019 SACE General Mathematics exam	Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)	Examination paper ↗	—
2018 SACE General Mathematics exam	Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)	Examination paper ↗	—
2017 SACE General Mathematics exam	Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)	Examination paper ↗	—

9 official papers across 9 years (2017–2025), 5 with marking guidance, published by SACE Board. These span more than one study design; the most recent is Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current). Earlier papers may cover material that has since changed.

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Topic 3: Statistical models · 16 mapped questions

Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and the coefficient of determination (r-squared)

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q6(a)-(b)2 marksSelects the plausible pair of r and r-squared values for a strong positive association, then explains why the linear model breaks down below a stated temperature.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Least squares linear regression: slope and intercept in context

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q3(a)-(b)3 marksCalculates Pearson's r for median weekly rent against years since 2005, then interprets the slope of the given linear model in context.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q7(a)-(c)4 marksStates Pearson's r, selects the correctly variabled least squares equation, interprets its intercept in context and adds a missing point to the residual plot.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Residuals and residual plots

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q6(c)-(d)5 marksCalculates a residual by hand, plots it on the printed residual plot, and gives two reasons the residual plot shows a linear model is inappropriate.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q7(d)-(f)6 marksGives two reasons the linear model is appropriate using r and the residual plot, predicts a value for a named country, comments on its reasonableness and calculates a residual.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Exponential regression y = a x b^x

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q3(d)-(e)3 marksExplains why a linear model fails over the extended data set, states the exponential regression equation from a partly filled table of r-squared values, and predicts with it.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q6(e)3 marksExplains the meaning of the growth factor in an exponential visitor model and inverts the model to find the temperature giving a stated number of visitors.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q5(a)-(b)6 marksPredicts a cost from a given linear model, fits the linear regression for a second data set, explains why an exponential model fits it better, interprets the a value and predicts and evaluates a far extrapolation.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Interpolation, extrapolation and reliability of predictions

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q3(c)3 marksGives two reasons a stated prediction inside the data range is reasonable, then predicts a value well outside it.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q5(c)3 marksFinds the intersection of the linear and exponential cost models and interprets what that crossover means for the owner.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Subtopic 3.2 The normal distribution and the 68:95:99.7% rule

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q8(a)-(b)4 marksFinds the proportion of luggage weights between two values, shades the tail requiring a heavy-bag tag, and converts that proportion into an expected number of bags out of 7815.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q8(f)3 marksDisproves a stated claim about the difference in excess-luggage rates between two airports using normal-distribution calculations.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q2(a)-(b)3 marksFinds a proportion between two ages on a normal distribution of walking ages, the percentage beyond a guideline age, and the expected number among 19 502 births.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q2(e)-(f)4 marksLabels two printed distributions, draws the missing third, and compares the likelihood of needing assistance with walking against speaking.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Non-standard proportions and inverse normal calculations

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q8(c)-(e)4 marksCompares two normal distributions by spread, finds the weight below which the lightest 2 percent fall, and estimates a standard deviation from a printed distribution.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q2(c)-(d)3 marksUses an inverse normal to find the minimum age in the oldest 10 percent and judges whether the funding threshold matches the guideline.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Also in this topic: Subtopic 3.1 Bivariate statistics: explanatory and response variables, scatter plots and association · Outliers and correlation versus causality — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

Topic 4: Financial models · 18 mapped questions

Subtopic 4.1 Models for saving: compound interest (FV, PV, n, I)

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q2(c)(i)-(ii)3 marksFinds a compound-interest balance at the end of a stated year and then isolates the interest earned during that year alone.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q8(c)3 marksShows that a flat-rate option earns about $50 more interest than a monthly-compounding option over five years.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Future value annuities, regular deposits and total interest earned

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q7(d)3 marksTests whether a mid-career lump sum inheritance added to the fund is enough to reach a stated retirement target.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q4(a)-(b)6 marksShows the fortnightly superannuation contribution from an employer rate plus a voluntary rate, projects the balance and interest over forty years, and describes a strategy to protect that balance.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Tax on interest, inflation, and institution and government charges

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q2(c)(iii)1 markApplies a marginal tax rate to the interest earned in the previous part.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q2(d)2 marksCompares a savings balance after four years against a purchase price inflating at a stated annual rate and judges affordability.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q4(d)-(e)5 marksInterprets the growth factor in a cost-of-living model as an annual inflation rate, predicts a future weekly cost, inverts the model for a target cost and judges whether the standard of living can be maintained.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Nominal, flat and effective annual interest rates

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q2(a)1 markConverts a quarterly-compounded nominal rate to an effective annual rate for comparison with a weekly-compounded account.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q2(b)1 markSelects the compounding condition under which an advertised nominal rate equals its effective annual rate.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q8(a)-(b)3 marksCompletes effective-rate tables for a 4 percent nominal rate at different compounding periods and for a 4.5 percent flat rate over different terms.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Present value annuities, superannuation and retirement income

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q7(a)-(c)6 marksShows a projected superannuation balance at retirement from an opening balance plus annual contributions, isolates the interest component, gives a reason the real figure could fall short, and finds the age at which a larger target would be reached.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q7(e)-(f)5 marksFinds the fortnightly withdrawal that exhausts a retirement annuity over twenty years, then the withdrawal that lives off interest alone, with a reason for preferring each strategy.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q4(c)6 marksShows the sustainable weekly income from a $2 000 000 annuity over thirty years, finds when the balance halves, and explains mathematically why that is not the halfway point of the term.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Subtopic 4.2 Models for borrowing: reducing-balance loans, repayments and balance owing

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q5(b)-(c)2 marksFinds the total interest payable over a 30-year mortgage and the outstanding balance after ten years.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q8(d)3 marksShows the outstanding balance of a $510 000 mortgage after six years and calculates the interest paid to that point.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Reducing interest paid: payment frequency, extra payments, lump sums and offset accounts

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q5(d)-(e)3 marksShows the new monthly repayment after refinancing the residual balance at a lower rate and calculates the interest saved by switching.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q8(e)-(g)6 marksTracks an offset account for ten years, allows for a partial withdrawal, calculates the total interest saved over the loan term and explains why only the investor faces tax.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Comparison rates, set-up fees and ongoing charges

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q5(a)4 marksCalculates the comparison rate for a 30-year home loan carrying a $600 establishment fee and a $20 monthly service fee, then selects the better of two loan options.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Also in this topic: Interest-only loans and sinking funds — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

Topic 5: Discrete models · 19 mapped questions

Dummy links

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q1(c)2 marksRequires the one missing dummy link to be drawn onto a printed directed network, using the precedence table.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q4(a)-(b)4 marksExplains why a dummy link is needed in a printed network and completes the forward and backward scans on the diagram.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q3(a)-(b)4 marksExplains why a marked dummy link is required and draws a second dummy link onto the network from the precedence table.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Forward and backward scans: EST, LST and minimum completion time

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q1(b)1 markAsks for the minimum completion time of the project set out in that precedence table.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q6(a)-(c)6 marksRecovers individual task durations from a scanned network, uses a stated slack value to find another duration, states the critical paths and explains why two tasks lie on all of them.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Critical path(s) and critical tasks

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q1(a)1 markReads the critical path off a precedence table listing ten tasks with durations, ESTs, LSTs and prerequisites.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q4(c)-(d)2 marksStates the critical path and explains why one named task must lie on every critical path of the network.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q3(c)4 marksSelects the true statements about criticality and slack for named tasks, then states the critical path and minimum completion time.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Slack time, delays and crashing tasks

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q1(d)1 markAsks why a six-day increase in one task's duration increases the whole project's minimum completion time by six days.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q4(e)-(f)3 marksCalculates the slack time for a named task, states the assumption behind that figure, and gives the latest starting time for another task.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q6(d)-(f)5 marksCompletes missing forward and backward scan values on a second network, states a latest starting time and compares the two agencies after one task is underestimated by four weeks.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Assumptions and limitations of critical path analysis

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q4(g)2 marksDiscusses the effect of a task growing from seven to eleven days on the minimum completion time and the critical path, without rescanning.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Subtopic 5.2 Assignment problems and the Hungarian algorithm

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q9(a)-(b)4 marksInterprets a cost in a 4x4 safety-check time array, completes the allocation from the reduced array, identifies who finishes last and works back to a start time from a 9 am opening.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q1(a)-(b)3 marksInterprets one entry of a 4x4 grooming-time array and completes the allocation table from the given reduced array.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Non-square arrays, dummy rows and dummy columns

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q9(e)6 marksWorks every step of the Hungarian algorithm on a 5x4 array squared up with a dummy column, recovers three missing entries in the final array and reads off the allocations.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q1(c)-(d)2 marksExplains why squaring up a 5x4 array requires an extra column of zeros, and draws covering lines to show an array is not yet optimal.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Maximisation, multiple optimal assignments and interpretation in context

2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q9(c)-(d)2 marksExplains why the individual safety-check times cannot simply be added to give a completion time, and states a limitation of the Hungarian algorithm in this context.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2025Subject Outline reissued for 2025 (current)Examination paper Q9(f)1 markExplains why adding a fifth operator leaves the required start time for the safety checks unchanged.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →
2024Subject Outline accredited from 2017 (reissues 2017-2024)Examination paper Q1(e)-(f)5 marksCompletes the remaining algorithm steps for the updated minimum completion time, identifies the staff member left without a task and judges an advertising guarantee against the result.Official paper ↗Marking guidance ↗Check tutors for this question →

Also in this topic: Subtopic 5.1 Critical path analysis: precedence tables and directed networks — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

The rest of the syllabus

Question-level mapping for these areas is still being verified. Every official paper covering them is in the year table above.

Topic 1: Modelling with linear relationships (school-assessed, not examined) — Subtopic 1.1 Simultaneous linear equations · Subtopic 1.2 Linear programming
Topic 2: Modelling with matrices (school-assessed, not examined) — Subtopic 2.1 Application of matrices to network problems · Subtopic 2.2 Application of matrices to transition problems
Topic 6: Open topic (school-developed, not examined) — School-developed topic replacing Topic 2: Modelling with matrices

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