CSEC Mathematics SBA Guidelines

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The Purpose of the SBA Project

It is the view of CXC and Mathematics Teachers across
the region that students are not transitioning fluently
enough from "School Math" to real world applications.
This has caused many governments to invest and train
members of the education systems in the delivery of
STEM and STEAM approaches in an attempt to bridge
that gap between the real world and the classroom.

the Mathematics SBA is an attempt by CXC to bridge that

same divide and forever link real world, everyday
mathematics to the theoretical concepts discussed in the
classroom. In CXC's own words, the project may require
the candidate to collect data or demonstrate athe
application of Mathematics in everyday situations.
The Project Title
It should be clear and concise and related to a real world
problem. The title may be in the form of a question or a
precise and clear statement of intent, call it a hypothesis if
you wish, but its intention is to show what you will be
trying to accomplish
Introduction
The introduction for the project should be well thought
out and should be a comprehensive description of the
project itself. It should set the background for what you
intend to do. The objectives [whatever you plan to
accomplish] should be stated in the introduction and those
objectives should be very clear and precise.
Method of Data Collection
The method that you use to collect your data needs to be
stated clearly here. If you plan to use a survey, a
questionnaire, an experiment, an investigation... You must
ensure that your Method is free from flaws as a flawed
method will lead to unreliable data and if your data is
unreliable then whatever conclusions you come up with
will be flawed. Take some time to talk with your
teacher/advisor/facilitator to make sure that your data
collection method is sound. The instrument that you
intend to use to gather the data should be stated here,
blank tables with headings, survey questions, diagrams
and general calculations about things you plan to discuss.
Presentation of Data
The Presentation of your data needs to be accurate and
well organized. You may have used a survey or a table to
collect your initial information, this table needs to be
properly laid out with appropriate column headers that
describe exactly what you are doing. In addition to the
table you will need to have at least one graph that shows
your data. You may use any type of appropriate statistical
graph, bar char, pie chart, linear graph, histogram etc.
Your graphs need to be well labelled in terms of axes.
You should also introduce the graph don't just place it on
the page. For example

The following graph shows ........ then add the graph.

if you are modelling data and looking for relationships or

correlations I am recommending that you use the software
program GRAPH. It is excellent at plotting scatters and
can easily draw a best fit line or spline [You can talk to
your teacher about that.] that can help you with your
analysis.

You also need to be accurate in your use of Mathematical

concepts while you present your data so make sure that
everything is accurately worked out. It is recommended
that you use Microsoft Office or other spreadsheet
program to generate your graphs. CXC does want you to
use the technology that is available.
Analysis of Data
As stated immediately above, this is a Mathematics SBA
so you need to use the language of Mathematics as well as
use mathematics concepts in your Analysis. You must
write in a coherent way. You do not need to be wordy you
only need to make sense of the data and write that
understanding in a way so that th e reader can understand
what you mean. You should be detailed and you should
be coherent. Try to answer the following questions as you
write;
What is you data saying to you?
What patterns do you see, what trends?
Look at averages and compare quantities using
parentages.

Its kind of like writing a statistical report. CXC doesn't

have these in the English A syllabus anymore but your
English teacher knows how and can help you so ask for
help if you don't know how.
Discussion of Findings
So you have done your analysis, what exactly have you
found out?

It may be what you thought you would find, it may be

different but your work has shown something. What is
that something. State it clearly and precisely. Please
understand that your discussion of findings MUST follow
from your data and your analysis of that data. So don't try
to impress anyone by making claims that are not
supported by the data that you have or by the analysis you
have done.
The conclusion
Ahh, relief, finally you have reached the end. Now all
you need to do is make a conclusion and you are good at
this. After all your language teacher did teach you how to
do it.
Regardless, just make a summary of what you have done
in the analysis of data and in the discussion of findings.
That will be good enough.
And finally
 You do get marked for grammar and the use of
English so make sure to at least spell check your
work. Yes it should be typed.
 Make sure you create a content page

 You definitely need a cover page with your personal

and center information

 You will most likely use electronic submission so

save your document, back it up somewhere, email
yourself a copy , etc, just make sure that when your
teacher needs it you have it

 And if you used a survey or questionnaire etc you can

include those in an appendix at the end of the back of
the project

 Make sure your work is well organized

  AND Remember you have a 1000 word limit so
avoid being wordy and write clearly and to the point

Your School Based Assessment (SBA) must include a

Cover Page with the following information:
 Name of School:
 Territory: Jamaica
 Year of the Examination :
 Subject:
 Group: _____ (Leave out this space)
 Candidate Name(s) and Candidate Number :
 Title of the project (if applicable)
 Name of the Teacher(s) who supervised the project.

Project Descriptors Mark

K C R Obtained Allotted
Project Title 1
Title is clear and concise and relates to a real-world problem

Introduction 4
State the objective/purpose of your SBA.
What do you intend to find out from your investigation?
Detailed contents page with page numbers
Why are you doing this investigation?
What you or others can learn from the investigation?
How will your investigation benefit others?
How will mathematics be applied in your SBA?

Method of Data Collection 2

Identify your collection method e.g. questionnaire,
experiment, survey, observation, interview
Describe clearly how you intend to collect the data.

Presentation of Data 5
The data must be accurate and well organized.
Tables/graphs included must be correctly labelled and used
Appropriately.
Accurate use of mathematical concepts must be seen.

Analysis of Data 2
A detailed and coherent analysis must be done.
What patterns or trends do you notice?
What does the data mean to you?
Make comparison – state the similarities and the differences
noted.
You can use averages and percentages to compare quantities.

Discussion of findings 2
State clearly and precisely the findings (what have you found
out) based on the data collected .
Describe your findings based on the data collected
Conclusion 2
Summarize your analysis and findings, then make your
conclusion.

The conclusion must be based on the findings and related to

the purpose of the project.

Overall Presentation 2
Information was communicated logically using correct
grammar .

It must be properly organized, clear and easy to understand.

Total obtained for each profile 20