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Broad General Education

Senior Phase

Senior Phase · S4

National 4 Applications of Mathematics

Real-world maths for life, work and further study.

  • SCQF Level 4
  • 4 units
  • 8 practice questions
  • 6 key dates
Start practising View key dates

Overview

About this course

National 4 Applications of Mathematics focuses on the maths pupils will meet in everyday life and the workplace – managing money, interpreting statistics, measuring and planning. The course is internally assessed with no external exam, and is an excellent preparation for National 5 Applications of Mathematics.

Course structure

What your child will learn

The course is organised into 4 units. Topics are usually taught in the order shown, though teachers may adapt the sequence for their class. Select a unit to see its topics.

1 Managing Finance & Statistics6 topics
  • Budgeting and best buys
  • Wages, overtime and deductions
  • Savings, loans and interest
  • Foreign exchange
  • Averages and spread
  • Charts, graphs and probability
2 Geometry & Measures6 topics
  • Perimeter, area and volume
  • Scale drawings and plans
  • Bearings and navigation
  • Time and timetables
  • Tolerance and precision
  • Container packing problems
3 Numeracy5 topics
  • Fractions, decimals and percentages
  • Ratio and proportion
  • Rounding and estimation
  • Reading scales and tables
  • Using and explaining data
4 Added Value Unit3 topics
  • Practical project-style test
  • Making and justifying decisions
  • Calculator and non-calculator skills

Assessment

How the course is assessed

01

Unit assessments

Three internally assessed units with re-assessment opportunities.

02

Added Value Unit test

A practical, context-based test in class covering all units.

03

Award

Pass/Fail – all units and the AVU must be passed.

Assessment practice

Practise for forthcoming assessments

8 questions worth 13 marks, matched to the assessments on this course. Try each question on paper first, then select it to reveal the worked solution. You can also print a blank set for revision.

Set 1 · November

Managing Finance Unit Assessment

4 questions · 8 marks

Print this set

  1. Q1

    Sarah earns £1 850 per month. Her deductions total £412. Calculate her net pay.

    1 mark
    Show solution

    Solution

    £1 850 − £412 = £1 438.

  2. Q2

    A loan of £2 000 is repaid over 24 months at £95 per month. How much interest is paid?

    2 marks
    Show solution

    Solution

    95 × 24 = £2 280; interest £280.

  3. Q3

    Which is the better buy: 500 g of pasta for £0.95 or 750 g for £1.50?

    3 marks
    Show solution

    Solution

    £0.19 per 100 g vs £0.20 per 100 g – the 500 g pack is better value.

  4. Q4

    £600 is placed in an account paying 2.5% per annum simple interest. Find the interest after 1 year.

    2 marks
    Show solution

    Solution

    2.5% of £600 = £15.

Set 2 · February

Geometry & Measures Unit Assessment

4 questions · 5 marks

Print this set

  1. Q1

    A rectangular room is 4.5 m by 3.2 m. Find its area.

    1 mark
    Show solution

    Solution

    4.5 × 3.2 = 14.4 m².

  2. Q2

    A scale drawing uses 1 : 50. A wall measures 8 cm on the plan. Find its real length.

    2 marks
    Show solution

    Solution

    8 × 50 = 400 cm = 4 m.

  3. Q3

    A ship sails on a bearing of 065°. On what bearing must it travel to return?

    1 mark
    Show solution

    Solution

    065° + 180° = 245°.

  4. Q4

    A part must be 35 mm ± 0.5 mm. Write the acceptable range.

    1 mark
    Show solution

    Solution

    34.5 mm to 35.5 mm.

Key dates

Important dates for this course

Session 2025–26. Dates marked * are indicative pending the official SQA timetable; items marked TBC will be updated as soon as they are confirmed. Select “+ cal” on any date to add it to your own calendar.

  • Prelim
  • SQA Exam
  • Parents' Evening
  • Assessment
  • Information

w/c 17 Nov 2025

Finance & Statistics unit assessment

Assessment + cal

Thu 27 Nov 2025

S4 Parents' Evening

Parents' Evening + cal

w/c 9 Feb 2026

Geometry & Measures unit assessment

Assessment + cal

w/c 16 Mar 2026

Numeracy unit assessment

Assessment + cal

w/c 27 Apr 2026

Added Value Unit test

Assessment + cal

Mon 1 Jun 2026

Final internal results submitted to SQA

Information + cal

Progression

Where this course leads

National 5 Applications of Mathematics in S5.

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