CSEC Mathematics SBA Guidelines

Complete guide to School-Based Assessment for CSEC Mathematics with suggested topics, marking scheme, and sample project

What is SBA?

The School-Based Assessment (SBA) is an integral part of student assessment in CSEC Mathematics. It allows students to apply mathematical concepts to real-world situations and develop critical thinking skills. The SBA contributes significantly to your final grade.

Key Points:

SBA is worth 30 marks (20% of your total score)
You must complete ONE project
Maximum report length: 1000 words (excluding appendices)
You can work in groups of up to 6 students
Deadlines are set by your school

SBA Structure & Requirements

Project Components

Your SBA report MUST include these 6 sections:

Project Title - Clear, concise, related to real-world problem
Introduction - Objectives, background, purpose, and method
Method of Data Collection - How and when data was collected
Presentation of Data - Tables, charts, graphs with proper labels
Analysis of Data - Mathematical calculations and interpretations
Conclusion - Findings based on analysis, recommendations

Important Notes:

Show ALL calculations and working
Use proper mathematical notation
Include at least one table and one graph/chart
Ensure data is genuine and accurate
Cite all sources properly

Marking Scheme (30 Marks Total)

Section	What's Assessed	Marks
Project Title	Clear, concise, real-world relevance	2
Introduction	Objectives, background, purpose, method	6
Method of Data Collection	Appropriate methods, clear description	3
Presentation of Data	Tables, graphs, organization, accuracy	8
Analysis of Data	Mathematical concepts, calculations, steps	6
Conclusion	Based on analysis, related to objectives	3
Overall Presentation	Logical flow, grammar, organization	2

Assessment Profiles:

Conceptual Knowledge (CK): 9 marks
Algorithmic Knowledge (AK): 12 marks
Reasoning (R): 9 marks

Sample SBA Project

Here's an example of how to structure your SBA project:

Project Title

"Comparative Analysis of Hire Purchase vs Cash Payment for Electronics at Two Local Stores"

Introduction

Objective: To determine whether hire purchase or cash payment is more economical when purchasing electronics.

Background: Many consumers face the dilemma of choosing between paying cash or using hire purchase options...

Data Collection Method

Visited two electronics stores (Store A and Store B) to collect prices for:

Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S23)
Laptop (Dell Inspiron 15)
Television (55" LED Smart TV)

Recorded cash prices and hire purchase terms (down payment, monthly payments, duration, interest rates).

Sample Calculations

Total Hire Purchase Cost Formula:

Total = Down Payment + (Monthly Payment × Number of Months)

Interest Calculation:

Interest = Total Hire Purchase Cost - Cash Price

Percentage Interest:

% Interest = (Interest ÷ Cash Price) × 100

Expected Findings

Hire purchase typically costs 15-25% more than cash price
Store A has better hire purchase terms than Store B
Recommendation: Save and pay cash when possible

Tips for Success:

Choose a topic that interests you
Start early and plan your time
Collect genuine data
Show ALL calculations
Proofread your final report
Submit before the deadline

Problem Solving Strategies

1. Use Simple Numbers

Replace complex numbers with simple ones to understand the problem, then apply the solution to original numbers.

2. Sketch Diagrams

Visualize problems using diagrams, charts, or graphs to understand spatial relationships.

3. Create Tables

Organize data in tables to identify patterns and relationships between variables.

4. Look for Patterns

Identify recurring patterns in data that can lead to mathematical generalizations.

CSEC Mathematics SBA Guidelines

What is SBA?

Key Points:

SBA Structure & Requirements

Project Components

Important Notes:

Marking Scheme (30 Marks Total)

Assessment Profiles:

Suggested SBA Topics

Consumer Mathematics

Statistics & Probability

Measurement & Geometry

Real-World Applications

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