Clear course outlines
Every unit and topic for all 14 courses, written in plain English so you know exactly what your child is learning and when.
- Unit-by-unit topic lists
- How each course is assessed
- Where it leads next year
Madras College · Mathematics
Every maths course.
Every assessment.
One clear path.
Course outlines, practice questions for upcoming assessments and every important date — from S1 to Advanced Higher — in one place designed for pupils and the parents supporting them.
- 14 courses, BGE to Advanced Higher
- Practice for every assessment
- Prelim & parents' evening dates
National 5 Mathematics
Prelim practice · Paper 1
Factorise fully 2x² − 18. 2 marks
Solution
2(x² − 9) = 2(x − 3)(x + 3).
Common factor first, then difference of two squares.
Select the question to reveal the worked solution.
- 12Topics
- 2Papers
- 110Marks
Next up Prelim · Wed 21 Jan
Practice sets 28 ready to try
Trusted by pupils and parents across every stage of the Scottish curriculum
- 14Courses, S1 to Advanced Higher
- 28+Assessment practice sets
- 90+Key dates tracked each session
- 2Clear pathways: BGE & Senior Phase
What you'll find here
Everything a pupil needs to prepare with confidence
We built this site to answer the three questions we hear most: What is my child studying? How can they practise? And when is the next assessment?
Practice for every assessment
Exam-style questions with full worked solutions, matched to each upcoming class assessment, prelim and SQA exam.
Important dates in one place
Prelims, unit assessments, parents' evenings, project deadlines and results day — organised course by course.
Pathways made simple
See how S1 Level 3 leads to National 5 and Higher, and which grades open which doors next year.
Built for parents too
No jargon. Short explanations of CfE levels, SCQF, unit assessments and grading.
Always current
Updated by the department each term as dates are confirmed and assessments are scheduled.
Course directory
Choose your course. Start preparing today.
Fourteen courses across the Broad General Education and Senior Phase. Each page includes the course outline, assessment practice and the dates that matter.
S1 – S3 · Curriculum for Excellence Levels 2–4
Broad General Education
Building fluency, confidence and the foundations for the Senior Phase. Pupils are set by level and move between pathways as they progress.
S1 Level 2
CfE Second Level
Securing the foundations with confidence.
S1 Level 3
CfE Third Level
Taking the first steps into secondary mathematics.
S2 Level 3
CfE Third Level
Deepening understanding and building independence.
S2 Level 4
CfE Fourth Level
Accelerating towards National 5 and beyond.
S3 → National 4
CfE Third/Fourth Level → SCQF 4
Practical maths with a clear route to qualification.
S3 → National 5
CfE Fourth Level → SCQF 5
Finishing the BGE strong and starting National 5 early.
S4 – S6 · SQA National 4 to Advanced Higher
Senior Phase
Nationally recognised qualifications from SCQF Level 4 to Level 7, with routes for every learner — from practical applications to university-level mathematics.
National 4 Mathematics
SCQF Level 4
A solid qualification and a stepping stone to National 5.
National 4 Applications
SCQF Level 4
Real-world maths for life, work and further study.
National 5 Mathematics
SCQF Level 5
The gateway qualification for Higher and beyond.
National 5 Applications
SCQF Level 5
Practical, powerful maths for the real world.
Higher Mathematics
SCQF Level 6
Calculus, proof and problem solving at the highest level.
Higher Applications
SCQF Level 6
Data, finance and modelling – the maths of modern life.
Advanced Higher Mechanics
SCQF Level 7
Where mathematics meets the physical world.
Advanced Higher Mathematics
SCQF Level 7
University-level mathematics, taught in school.
How it works
Three steps from “what's coming up?” to “I'm ready.”
Each course page follows the same simple structure, so once you have used one you can use them all.
-
1
Read the course outline
See every unit and topic, how the course is assessed and where it leads next.
See an example → -
2
Practise for the next assessment
Work through exam-style questions, then reveal the worked solutions.
See an example → -
3
Plan around key dates
Prelims, unit assessments, parents' evenings and SQA exams in one timeline.
See an example →
Parent feedback
9 in 10 feel more confident supporting revision at home after using the course pages.
Parents' Evening · Thu 27 Nov
For parents & carers
You don't need to be a mathematician to make a difference
Research consistently shows that the single biggest influence on a young person's attainment is an engaged adult at home. Every page here is written so you can be that adult — without needing to remember how to factorise a quadratic.
No surprises
Know about every prelim, assessment and parents' evening weeks in advance — not the night before.
Support without the stress
Open a practice set, sit beside your child and talk through the worked solution together — even if it has been a while since you did maths.
Understand the system
CfE levels, SCQF, National 4 versus National 5, Applications versus Mathematics — explained in plain language on every page.
See the bigger picture
Every course shows where it leads next, so choices for S4, S5 and S6 feel informed rather than rushed.
From our community
Words from pupils and parents
We asked families how the course pages have changed the way they prepare. Here is what they told us.
★★★★★
For the first time I actually knew when the prelim was before my son did. We worked through the Paper 1 practice set the weekend before and he went in feeling calm.
★★★★★
The Higher page is brilliant. Having the solutions right there means I can check my working at 10pm without waiting until the next lesson.
★★★★★
I had no idea what ‘Applications of Maths’ meant compared to ‘Mathematics’. The course page explained it in two minutes and we made a much better S5 choice.
★★★★★
My daughter is in S1 Level 3 and I was worried about how secondary maths would go. The topic lists and practice questions made it feel manageable for both of us.
★★★★★
Advanced Higher is tough, but the prelim questions with full solutions showed me exactly where my gaps were in calculus.
★★★★★
Parents' evening dates, project deadlines, results day — everything is in one list. I have screenshotted it to the fridge.
FAQ
Questions parents ask us most
Can't find what you're looking for? Email the department and a member of staff will get back to you within two working days.
How do I know which course my child is on?
In S1–S3 your child's class teacher will have confirmed their level at the start of the session, and it appears on their tracking report. In the Senior Phase it is the course named on their timetable (for example “National 5 Mathematics”). If you are unsure, email the department and we will confirm.
What is the difference between Mathematics and Applications of Mathematics?
Mathematics is the more abstract, algebra-rich course that leads to Higher Mathematics and STEM degrees. Applications of Mathematics focuses on finance, statistics, measurement and planning in real-life contexts. Both are full SQA qualifications at the same SCQF level and both are widely accepted — but always check the entry requirements for your child's intended course.
What do CfE Levels and SCQF Levels mean?
Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Levels 2, 3 and 4 describe progress through the Broad General Education in S1–S3. SCQF is the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework: National 4 is Level 4, National 5 is Level 5, Higher is Level 6 and Advanced Higher is Level 7.
Are the practice questions the same as the real assessment?
No — they are written in the same style and cover the same skills, but the questions in the actual assessment will be different. Working through the practice set is the best way to find out which topics need more revision.
Are the dates on the site final?
Class assessment and prelim dates are set by the department and accurate at the time of publishing. SQA exam dates marked with an asterisk are indicative until the official SQA timetable is confirmed, and items marked TBC will be updated as soon as they are set. Always cross-check with the school calendar.
What support is available if my child is struggling?
Supported study runs after school in the Maths department on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30–4:30pm, and lunchtime drop-ins are available daily. Please contact your child's class teacher in the first instance — early conversations make the biggest difference.
Can my child move between courses or levels?
Yes. The BGE is deliberately flexible and pupils move between levels as their understanding develops. In the Senior Phase, moves between National 4 and National 5 (or N5 Mathematics and N5 Applications) are possible early in the session after a conversation between pupil, parents and the department.
The next assessment is closer than you think.
Find your child's course, open the practice set and put the key dates in the diary. Ten minutes now saves a stressful week later.