May 2004 SEC mental paper : an analysis of the Van Hiele level of thinking in the shape and space questions

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates students' performance and quality of thinking in the five Shape and Space related questions in the SEC Mathematics Mental Paper of the MA TSEC May 2004 session. The first part includes a brief background on the SEC Mathematics Examination together with a review of literature on Mathematics, Geometry and the Mental Paper with respect to gender differences, also focusing on the descriptors of the Van Hie le Levels. Each of the five Mental Paper questions are then examined and analysed. Emphasis is placed on the Van Hiele Level of Geometric Thinking required in solving the examined questions as well as the actual Van Hiele Level of Geometric Thinking exhibited by students in their answers. The study shows that the majority of classifiable students are at Van Hiele Level 2 (Descriptive/Analytic Level) and that male students performed better than female students in the majority of the five questions.