O-Level Mathematics Syllabus - 2026/27 Parent-&-Student Guide

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13 Jul 2025, 00:00 Z

TL;DR
Two written papers test Elementary Mathematics (E-Math, 4049) and Additional Mathematics (A-Math, 4048).
Both syllabuses pivot on five strands—Number & Algebra, Geometry & Trigonometry, Calculus, Probability, and Statistics—and carry identical 50% / 50% paper weights.
Master the topic sequence, formula-booklet limits, and exam pacing early; these skills transfer directly to IP Year-3 binomial, surds and sigma notation.

1 | Exam Format at a Glance

Subject	Paper	Duration	Marks / Weight	Question style
E-Math 4049	P1 (no-calculator)	2 h	80 marks / 50%	Short-structured, <6 marks/part
	P2 (calculator-allowed)	2 h 30 min	100 marks / 50%	Structured-response up to 12 marks
A-Math 4048	P1	2 h	90 marks / 50%	Mixed short & long
	P2	2 h	90 marks / 50%	Long-form proofs & applications

\[ \text{Target pacing} = \frac{\text{Marks}}{\text{Minutes}} \approx 0.67 \space \text{marks per minute} \]

SEAB defers any practical or coursework component; the grade is entirely written.

2 | Assessment Objectives (AOs)

AO1 Knowledge & Skills - recall and perform routine procedures.
AO2 Interpretation & Application - translate real-world context to mathematical form.
AO3 Reasoning, Analysis & Synthesis - prove, justify, or critique results.

AO2 + AO3 together account for ≥40% of marks in each paper.

3 | Topic-by-Topic Map

3.1 Elementary Mathematics (E-Math)

Strand	Key topics	Typical Sec-year entry
Number & Algebra	primes, indices, standard form, ratio, linear & quadratic equations	Sec 1 → Sec 3
Geometry & Measurement	congruency, similarity, mensuration (2-D & 3-D), vectors	Sec 1 → Sec 4
Trigonometry	sine, cosine, tangent in right & obtuse triangles	Sec 2 → Sec 4
Statistics & Probability	scatter plots, histograms, mean/median/mode, simple probability	Sec 2 → Sec 4

3.2 Additional Mathematics (A-Math)

Strand	Key topics	Added depth
Algebra	surds, logarithms, binomial (n≤10), partial fractions	links to IP Y3 sigma notation
Functions	composite & inverse, modulus graphs
Calculus	differentiation (product, quotient, chain); integration; kinematics	foundation for H2 calculus
Geometry & Trig	radian measure, double-angle, factor formulae
Statistics	permutations & combinations, binomial probability

Full topic bullets appear in the official syllabus PDFs.

4 | Formula Booklet & Calculators

E-Math: one-page booklet—standard constants, area/volume formulae.
A-Math: two-page booklet adds trigonometric identities and \(\frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{dx}} \bigl( \sin x \bigr) = \cos x\).

Approved calculators must be from the SEAB list; models not in the list are barred.

5 | Assessment Windows & IP Cross-Links

School term	Typical O-Level timeline	IP overlap
Term 1 Wk 8	WA 1 snapshot	Mirrors IP WA 1 (Sec 3)
Term 2 Wk 9	WA 2 / Mid-year removed 2023	IP schools now run single WA
June-July	Prelim prep	Same slot for IP Block Test
Late Sept	N level (if appl.)	—
Mid Oct	O-Level E-Math papers	IP Year-4 promos finish one week prior

The MOE removal of mid-years emphasises school-based WAs and prelims as the only full-dress rehearsals—a shift identical to IP timing.

6 | Pacing & Error-Proofing Tips

One-mark-per-1.5-min rule keeps Paper 2 on schedule.
Write units in geometry & trig answers—examiners penalise missing cm², rad.
Use “answer-then-explain” for AO3 proofs: state result first, justify steps second.
For calculator papers, store constants; re-typing raises careless risks.

Inline check: \(\log_{10} 50 = \log 5 + 1\).