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Broad General Education

Senior Phase

Senior Phase · S4

National 4 Mathematics

A solid qualification and a stepping stone to National 5.

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

Overview

About this course

National 4 Mathematics develops the mathematical skills needed in everyday life, learning and work. The course is internally assessed – there is no external SQA exam – and is awarded on a pass/fail basis. Pupils complete three units and an Added Value Unit test. Many pupils progress to National 5 Mathematics or National 5 Applications of Mathematics the following year.

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 Expressions & Formulae6 topics
  • Algebraic expressions – simplify, expand, factorise
  • Evaluating formulae
  • Gradient
  • Perimeter, area and volume
  • Rotational symmetry
  • Statistics – averages and probability
2 Relationships6 topics
  • Straight line graphs
  • Solving linear equations
  • Changing the subject
  • Pythagoras' Theorem
  • Trigonometry in right-angled triangles
  • Angle properties of shapes
3 Numeracy6 topics
  • Percentages and fractions in context
  • Ratio and proportion
  • Speed, distance and time
  • Rounding and tolerance
  • Interpreting graphs, charts and tables
  • Making and justifying decisions
4 Added Value Unit3 topics
  • Test covering all three units
  • Non-calculator and calculator sections
  • Problem solving in context

Assessment

How the course is assessed

01

Unit assessments

Each unit is assessed internally. Pupils must pass each unit; re-assessment is available.

02

Added Value Unit test

A final test (approx. 1 hour) covering the whole course, sat in class and marked by the department.

03

Award

Pass/Fail – no grades. All units and the AVU must be passed.

Assessment practice

Practise for forthcoming assessments

8 questions worth 16 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

Expressions & Formulae Unit Assessment

4 questions · 6 marks

Print this set

  1. Q1

    Simplify 7m + 4n − 3m + n.

    1 mark
    Show solution

    Solution

    4m + 5n.

  2. Q2

    Expand 5(2x − 3).

    1 mark
    Show solution

    Solution

    10x − 15.

  3. Q3

    Using the formula V = lbh, find V when l = 8, b = 5 and h = 3.

    2 marks
    Show solution

    Solution

    V = 8 × 5 × 3 = 120.

  4. Q4

    Find the volume of a cylinder with radius 4 cm and height 10 cm (take π = 3.14).

    2 marks
    Show solution

    Solution

    V = πr²h = 3.14 × 16 × 10 = 502.4 cm³.

Set 2 · April

Added Value Unit Test

4 questions · 10 marks

Print this set

  1. Q1

    A right-angled triangle has a hypotenuse of 13 cm and one side of 5 cm. Find the third side.

    3 marks
    Show solution

    Solution

    13² − 5² = 169 − 25 = 144; √144 = 12 cm.

  2. Q2

    Find the angle x in a right-angled triangle where the opposite side is 7 cm and the adjacent side is 10 cm.

    3 marks
    Show solution

    Solution

    tan x = 7 ⁄ 10; x = 35.0°.

  3. Q3

    A recipe for 4 people uses 300 g of flour. How much flour is needed for 10 people?

    2 marks
    Show solution

    Solution

    300 ÷ 4 = 75 g per person; 75 × 10 = 750 g.

  4. Q4

    Solve 6x − 4 = 2x + 12.

    2 marks
    Show solution

    Solution

    4x = 16; x = 4.

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 10 Nov 2025

Expressions & Formulae unit assessment

Assessment + cal

Thu 27 Nov 2025

S4 Parents' Evening

Parents' Evening + cal

w/c 26 Jan 2026

Relationships unit assessment

Assessment + cal

w/c 9 Mar 2026

Numeracy unit assessment

Assessment + cal

w/c 20 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 Mathematics or National 5 Applications of Mathematics in S5.

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Have a question about National 4 Mathematics?

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