Practical Mathematics Skills Test (Suken) study guide
Practical Mathematics Skills Test (Suken) · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
This independent study page provides practice for Practical Mathematics Skills Test (Suken). Its editorial learning areas include Number and algebra; Functions; Geometry and trigonometry; Statistics and probability; Calculus. The questions develop subject knowledge and application through worked reasoning, distinctions between competing answers, and practical scenarios. Study the relevant guide before attempting a mixed set, then explain the evidence or calculation that supports each answer. Topics on this exam: Number and algebra, Functions, Geometry and trigonometry, Statistics and probability, and Calculus. The Practical Mathematics Skills Test (Suken) study guide has 5 sections and about 1,838 words.
01Number and algebra
This domain tests structure and manipulation: arithmetic and geometric sequences and series, growth and decay, logarithms, and the binomial expansion. These exercises reward choosing the right formula, respecting domains, and interpreting the result in context rather than only computing. Arithmetic: u n = u 1 + (n − 1)d; S n = n/2(2u 1 + (n − 1)d) = n/2(u 1 + u n). Geometric: u n = u 1 r^(n−1); S n = u 1(1 − r^n)/(1 − r) for r ≠ 1; S∞ = u 1/(1 − r) only when r < 1.
441 words, about 2 min02Functions
Functions is about relationships between variables: domain and range, composition, inverses, transformations, and standard families such as quadratics, exponentials and rational functions. The practice asks you to justify a domain restriction or read a graph. Domain: exclude values making a denominator zero; require a radicand under an even root to be non-negative; require a log argument positive. Composite (f∘g)(x) = f(g(x)): its domain contains x in the domain of g for which g(x) is in the domain of f.
342 words, about 2 min03Geometry and trigonometry
This domain tests spatial and trigonometric reasoning: triangle rules, the unit circle, trigonometric identities and equations, vectors, and basic 3D measurement. The practice expects exact values where possible and clear selection of a rule. Sine rule: a/sin A = b/sin B = c/sin C. Cosine rule: a^2 = b^2 + c^2 − 2bc cos A.
415 words, about 2 min04Statistics and probability
This domain tests describing data, modelling relationships, and quantifying uncertainty. Expect summary statistics, correlation and regression, probability rules, discrete random variables, and the binomial and normal distributions. Center and spread: mean, median, quartiles, IQR and standard deviation. An outlier is often below Q 1 − 1.5 IQR or above Q 3 + 1.5 IQR.
260 words, about 1 min05Calculus
Calculus tests change and accumulation: limits, derivatives, tangents and normals, stationary points, optimisation, and definite integrals as area. The practice expects correct notation and interpretation of signs. Derivative: f'(x) = lim as h→0 of (f(x+h) − f(x))/h; power rule d/dx x^n = nx^(n−1); d/dx sin x = cos x, d/dx cos x = −sin x, d/dx e^x = e^x, d/dx ln x = 1/x. Chain rule: d/dx f(g(x)) = f'(g(x))g'(x).
380 words, about 2 min