The specification grid is based on the cognitive domain. It contains the number of items, questions, area, total working hours, question pattern, and level of questions. There are four levels of questions: knowledge (16%), understanding (24%), application (40%), and higher ability (20%). The curriculum for mathematics is also based on a specification grid. There are 12 items with 12 marks for knowledge questions, 12 items with 18 marks for understanding, 14 items with 30 marks for application, and 11 items with 15 marks for higher ability. Sets, algebra, arithmetic, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, statistics, and probability are seven areas in mathematics. The new model question focuses on context. The area of the set contains 4 items with 1 question for a total of 6 marks; the area of arithmetic contains 9 items with 3 questions for a total of 13 marks; the area of mensuration contains 8 items with 3 questions for a total of 13 marks; and the area of algebra contains 8 items with 3 questions for a total of 4 items with 1 question for a total of 4 marks. There are 16 questions, and 49 items will be asked for the external exam as well as the internal exam.
