Test Content Guidelines
Alabama Statewide Mathematics Contest
Test Content Guidelines
In order to appeal to the widest possible body of students, we try to include questions on a wide variety of levels, ranging from those which are simple and routine to those which will challenge the best and brightest students. (Part of the fun of any mathematics contest comes from the inclusion of questions which are not routine textbook exercises.) We believe that any interested student can benefit from participating in the contest.
Strictly speaking, there is no "syllabus" for the contest. However, our authors and editors try to follow certain general guidelines, which apply to both the first round written tests and the second round ciphering tournament. These guidelines are based on the Alabama Course of Study in Mathematics for grades 9 - 12, which can be found on the Alabama State Department of Education web site: as of this writing you can find a
direct link to the course of study here:
Alabama Course of Study in Mathematics
but if this link doesn't work, a search of the Department of Education site should turn it up.
(All authors are provided with a copy of this course of study.)
The guidelines can be summarized as follows:
- Geometry: Anything related to the Geometry syllabus is fair game, and a knowledge of algebra up to Algebra I is expected.
- Comprehensive: Anything related to the Introduction to Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II with Trigonometry syllabi is fair game, as well as anything in the Advanced Mathematics syllabus on which a student who has also had a calculus course would not have a major advantage.
- Algebra II with Trigonometry: In order to reflect the most recent state syllabus, the former "Algebra II" test is now the "Algebra II with Trigonometry" test. Anything related to the Introduction to Algebra, Algebra I, and Algebra II with Trigonometry syllabi is fair game for this test. (We understand that many teachers cover the trigonometry portion of the "Algebra II with Trigonometry" course at the end of the year. In this test, the emphasis will remain on algebra, and we will try to avoid trigonometry questions involving subtleties which are better left for the Comprehensive test.)
Special Note: We now produce three versions of the written Comprehensive test, one for each Division. The Division I test will be at the same level as past tests. The Division II test will be somewhat less difficult. The Division III test will be substantially less difficult. (We hope that this will encourage more small schools to enter the contest. If your Division II or Division III school has not been participating in the contest, give it a try!)
Revised - February 4, 2004
Questions, comments, and suggestions about the contest and about this site are welcome.
Please contact:
Jeff Dodd
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Department of Mathematical, Computing, and Information Sciences
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL 36265
phone: 256-782-5112
fax: 256-782-5261
email: jdodd@jsucc.jsu.edu
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