Paper II, unlike paper I is divided up into Section A and Section B. In section A, you must attempt five out of seven questions. Section B are the optional questions in which you will have usually covered just one in class so you are restricted to answering that one.

Paper II, Section A will consist of the following topics:

• Area & Volume (Question 1)
• The Line (Question 2)
• The Circle (Question 3)
• Geometry Theorms (Question4)
• Trigonometry (Question 5)
• Probability (Question 6)
• Statistics (Question 7)

Question 1: Area & Volume

This is a popular question amongst students, as a part of it resembles the junior cert course. However do not fall into a false sense of security with it. This question has been known to tie in with trigonometry, as was seen in 2002. The formulae you will require will be available to you in your log tables, and a good starting point to the question is to write down all relevant formulae. An important area for this question is Simpson's rule, make sure to cover it very well.

Question 2: The Line

This section of co-ordinate geometry is not only important for this full question but will also be the backbone for attempting the circle and linear programming questions. The formulae to be learned off by heart are of key importance. These include mid-point, distance, area of a triangle, slope and the equation of a line. You must be able to recognise which formulae are to be used and successfully reproduce them and input the correct information.

Question 3: The Circle

As mentioned, many of the formulae learnt for the line will also be of importance here. With this question, it is important to understand that they are in effect split into two types – circle with centre (0,0) and circles with the centre not (0,0).

Firstly you must recognise which circle question is being asked, then know which one of the two equations of a circle formula to apply.

For this type of question, it if often an advantage to draw a rough sketch of the circle in question. This will clarify what is being asked and prompt you in the right direction.

Question 4: Geometry Theorems

This isn't a favourite question amongst students, as it involves learning ten theorms by heart of which four will be examined. The remainder of this question is on the application of these theorms.

Question 5: Trigonometry

For this question you must be familiar with how to use your calculator to find cos, sin and tan. Most of the relevant formulae will be found in your log tables but a few must be learned. You must know how to solve right-angled and non-right-angled triangle questions, solve arcs, sectors and solve compound angles.

Question 6: Probability

This question is usually a short one and does not involve much algebra. Most of the work will involve the calculator. Questions will involve solving arrangements, combinations and probabilities.

Question 7: Statistics

In this question you will be required to find the mean, mode and median of a set of numbers or of a frequency table. You must be able to find the standard deviation, construct a histogram and translate information from a frequency table to a cumulative frequency table and onto a cumulative frequency curve (ogive). Learn the formulae for the mean and standard deviation!

Section B contains four questions from which you must attempt only one. Due to this fact, most of you will have only covered one of the questions in class, so this will mean in answering the exam you will have no way of wiggling out of it, as you have no other options. This fact may scare you into covering this area very well!

The most popular of the options is Question 11 on Linear Programming. It is popular due to its links with the other two co-ordinate geometry questions on the paper. Part (a) of this question has been of three possible types involving the drawing of planes or the finding of inequalities that represent a plane. Formulae such as the slope and the equation of a line may be required here. The part (b) holds the bulk of the marks, with a question on the practical application of linear programming.

One more tip. Be familiar with the log tables and where you will be able to locate the information you will need in the exam. It will provide some formula such as the Product and Quotient rule (for differentiation), formulae for trigonometry, but it does not provide them all. Know which formula you will have to learn by heart and learn them! The first thing to do on entering the exam is to spill them out onto paper as this will prevent you forgetting them or mixing them up. This will allow you to breath a sigh of relief to get them out there!

Best of luck, get that practising in!