Guidelines for marking the MCAT 2021

As you begin to assess your candidates’ answers, you may find it helpful to check the FAQ page link
https://bit.ly/2021_MCAT_FAQ This will be updated regularly.
The title of the standard requires candidates to use algebraic procedures in solving problems. To fulfill the
requirements of explanatory note 2, all questions require the candidates to choose the procedures from explanatory
note 4 (EN4) which will lead them towards a solution, and apply these correctly. Evidence of algebraic working
must be shown.

In order to provide evidence towards any grade, the candidate must demonstrate a level of algebraic thinking
consistent with level six of the curriculum and be consistent with the spirit of the New Zealand Curriculum.

If a candidate requires one u grade to achieve the standard, the assessor may award one grade of us anywhere in
the paper for where there is evidence of:
● a correct guess and check response or
● a correct answer only or
● a borderline case for an overall award of Achieved where professional judgement has been used.
Likewise, if a candidate is borderline for an overall award of Merit or Excellence, one rs (soft Merit) or one ts
(soft Excellence) grade may be used (but only if a us, rs or ts has not been used prior). These grades are only
awarded on professional judgement responses where the marker is struggling with the decision.

Implications
All working must be checked in order to identify evidence of the application of a listed procedure. This may
involve a consistent application of an appropriate procedure applied to an incorrect algebraic expression on the
condition that the expression does not significantly simplify the application.

Grading in general
1. In grading a candidate’s work, the focus is on evidence required within the achievement standard.
2. Where there is evidence of correct algebraic processing and the answer is incorrect due to a numerical
error, the candidate should not be penalised except in questions 1a and 1b on day 1 and 3a and 3b on
day 2. If it cannot be determined if it is a numerical or an algebraic error, the grade should not be awarded.
e.g. factorising of a quadratic expression.
3. Units are not required anywhere in the paper.
4. The grade for evidence towards the awarding of achievement is coded as “u” or “us”.
For merit, the demonstrating of relational thinking is coded as “r” or “rs”,
and for excellence, the demonstrating of abstract thinking is coded as “t” or “ts”.

Grading parts of questions

1. Check each part of each question to ensure they have been allocated a grade.
2. When the highest level of performance for a part of a question is demonstrated in the candidate’s work, a
code is recorded against that evidence. Only the highest grade is recorded for each part of a question.

Question grade
Each question gains the overall grade indicated below:
No u or us gains N 1u gains 1A 1r gains 1M 1t gains 1E
2u or more gains 2A 2r or more gains 2M 2t or more gains 2E

Note: Only one us, rs or ts grade may be awarded across the paper.
Minimum requirements of sufficiency across the paper
1. For a Not Achieved grade (N)
2A or lower.
2. For the award of an Achievement grade (A)
3A or higher from either:
● 1A or higher in each question
● 1A in one question and 2A in another
● 1A in one question and 1E in another (because the award of a t grade will involve more than one of the
procedures)
OR a total of
● 1 r and 2 u across at least two questions
3. For the award of a Merit grade (M)
3M or higher from either:
● 1M in each question
● 1M in one question and 2M in another
● 2E in one question and 1A in another
● 1E, 1M, and a total of 2u or more from any questions
OR a total of
● 2 r and 2 u across at least two questions.
4. For the award of an Excellence grade (E)
A total of
● At least 2 t grades and at least 1 r grade across at least two questions.

Results
1. When loading school data, ensure you follow the instructions given on the NZQA schools’ secure web
site. (In high security features, Provisional and Final Results Entry, L1 MCAT Instructions – School’s
PN has access to this).
2. Please ensure that all registered candidates have a grade recorded on the website before submitting
your school’s papers for verification otherwise this does not allow verification to take place. Do not
share results with your candidates prior to them being released by NZQA.
3. Verification reports will not be included in the envelope returned to the school. It can be accessed on the
NZQA secure web site. You may receive your scripts back to the school before your report is available
online. This is because the report is not visible for a week after the final report is loaded to allow for any
checking by the National Verifier.

Verifying
A reminder that candidates’ work submitted for verification should not be scripts where assessors have
allocated final grades by professional judgement or on a holistic basis (i.e. a us, ms or ts grade) or scripts
that have been discussed on the help line. The purpose of verification is to check the school’s ability to correctly
apply the schedule.
A holistic decision is when a candidate’s work provides significant evidence towards the award of a higher grade
across the paper and the assessor believes it would be appropriate to award such a grade. The assessor should
review the entire script and determine if it is a minor error or omission that is preventing the award of the higher
grade. The question then needs to be asked “Is this minor error preventing demonstration of the requirements of
the standard?” The final grade should then be determined on the basis of the response to this question.

For assistance with marking please use:

Email: mcat.help@xtra.co.nz
FAQ page link (this will be updated regularly): https://bit.ly/2021_MCAT_FAQ
You may wish to include a contact phone number as in some cases it can be easier to discuss the response.

The completed verification report will be posted on the NZQA schools’ secure site.
 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027A) 2021 — page 1 of 6

Assessment Schedule – 2021

Mathematics and Statistics: Apply algebraic procedures in solving problems (91027A)
Day 1
Candidates must show algebraic working.
Solutions in a multi-part question may be found in any part and awarded credit.
Equivalent methods of solving problems are accepted on condition that the candidate is demonstrating algebraic solutions at
curriculum level 6, which may include algebraic thinking at curriculum level 6.
Once a student has made an error, for any consistent working to provide evidence towards a grade, the procedure must be
performed at curriculum level 6.

Q Expected Coverage Grade (generated by correctly demonstrating the procedures

listed in EN4)
ONE
Requirements are for the student responses to be correct
(ignoring numerical errors) unless the statement specifies
consistent
(a) S = 2 × (–3)2 – 3 × –3 × 4 For award of u:
=2×9+9×4 ● correct solution (accept 18 + 36)
= 18 + 36 (numerical errors not allowed)
= 54

(b) 2x2 – 11x – 6 = 0 For award of u:

(2x + 1)(x – 6) = 0 ONE of:
Either 2x + 1 = 0 ● factorising the quadratic expression
1 ● consistent solving of the quadratic equation.
𝑥= − = −0.5
2 For award of r:
or ONE of:
x–6=0 ● both correct values for x (or p and q) found
x=6 ● consistent difference between p and q found.
1 For award of t:
then 𝑝 − 𝑞 = 6 2 = 6.5
● correct difference between p and q found.

Accept alternative formats of the answer.

(c) (2x + m)(2x + m) = 4x2 + nx + 9 For award of u:
4𝑥 2 + 2𝑚𝑥 + 2𝑚𝑥 + 𝑚 2 ONE of:
= 4𝑥 2 + 𝑛𝑥 + 9 ● correct expansion of (2x + m)2 (does not need to be simplified)
4x + 4mx + m = 4x2 + nx + 9
2 2 ● using algebra to find the value of m = 3 OR n = 12
m2 = 9 and 4m = n For award of r:
m = 3 (or m = –3 not required) ● using algebra to find the values of m = 3 AND n = 12
n=4×3
n = 12 and m = 3
 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027A) 2021 — page 2 of 6

(d) (w2 – 9)(w2 – 9) = 0 For award of u:

ONE of:
w2 – 9 = 0 ● recognising that w4 = (w2)2 within a quadratic factorisation
(𝑤 + 3)(𝑤 − 3) = 0 process
● consistent solving of their quadratic equation.
w = ±3
or For award of r:
w2 – 9 = 0 ONE of:
w2 = 9 ● correct factorisation of the equation into quadratic factors
w = ±3 ● consistent solution of their equation involving w2
● one correct solution.
For award of t:
● correct solutions of w = 3 and w = –3
(e) R(y – 2x) = 5y – 4x #1 For award of u:
ONE of:
Ry – 2Rx = 5y – 4x ● multiply LHS by (y – 2x) and left numerator on RHS #1
4x – 2Rx = 5y – Ry #2 ● consistently collecting terms involving x and terms not involving
x on different sides of the equation #2
x(4 – 2R) = 5y – Ry #3
● consistently factorising the pair of terms involving x #3
5𝑦 − 𝑅𝑦
𝑥= For award of r:
4 − 2𝑅
TWO of:
Accept other equivalent solutions. ● multiply LHS by (y – 2x) and left numerator on RHS #1
● consistently collecting terms involving x and terms not involving
x on different sides of the equation #2
● consistently factorising the pair of terms involving x #3
For award of t:
● correct rearrangement.
 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027A) 2021 — page 3 of 6

Q Expected Coverage Grade (generated by correctly demonstrating the procedures listed

in EN4)
TWO
Requirements are for the student responses to be correct (ignoring
numerical errors) unless the statement specifies consistent
(a) x + 3 + x + 2 + x + 2x – 1 = 34 For award of u:
5x + 4 = 34 ● form and solve linear equation.
5x = 30
x=6

(b) 6x2 + x – 2 ≤ 6x2 – 17x – 3 #1 For award of u:

ONE of:
x – 2 ≤ – 17x – 3 ● expand either quadratic expression #1
● solution found as an equation instead of an inequation
● consistent solution to the inequality
18x ≤ –1
● consistent simplifying of both sides of the inequality.
For award of r:
1
𝑥 ≤ − ● correct inequality found (accept <)
18

(c) 14p + 6q = 46 ×2 For award of u:

10p + 4q = 32 ×3 ONE of:
● forms both equations for perimeters (must have combined like terms)
28p + 12q = 92 ● consistent combining of their equations in one variable
30p + 12q = 96 ● consistent solution for one variable.
Subtracting gives –2p = – 4 For award of r:
p=2 ONE of:
Then q = 3 ● correctly combines the equations in one variable
Rectangle A dimensions: 9 cm by ● consistently finds dimensions.
14 cm For award of t:
Rectangle B dimensions: 6 cm by
● correct dimensions of both rectangles found (units not required).
10 cm

(d) 5(𝑥 + 2) − 3(2𝑥 − 1) For award of u:

15 ONE of:
=1 ● correct arrangement for both numerator and denominator (does not
need to be expanded or simplified)
5𝑥 + 10 − 6𝑥 + 3
=1 ● consistent solution found.
15
5x + 10 – 6x + 3 = 15 For award of r:
–x + 13 = 15 ● correct solution found.
–x = 2
x = –2
 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027A) 2021 — page 4 of 6

(e) (3 + 2x)(2 + 2x) = 2 × 6 For award of u:

ONE of:
6 + 6x + 4x + 4x2 = 12
● forms correct expression for lengths of both walls in terms of x
4x2 + 10x – 6 = 0 #1
● consistent simplifying of equation to a quadratic equated to 0 #1
2x2 + 5x – 3 = 0 ● consistent factorising of their quadratic equation.
(2x – 1)(x + 3) = 0
For award of r:
ONE of:
Either 2x –1 = 0
● simplification to a quadratic equation (= 0 not required) #1
1
𝑥= ● consistent solving of their quadratic equation and recognition of
2
positive value.
For award of t:
Or x + 3 = 0
● correct positive solution found for the question, with evidence of
x = – 3 (ignore)
correct negative value disregarded.

Units not required.

 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027A) 2021 — page 5 of 6

Q Expected Coverage Grade (generated by correctly demonstrating the procedures listed

in EN4)
THREE
Requirements are for the student responses to be correct (ignoring
numerical errors) unless the statement specifies consistent
(a) (3x + 5)(3x + 5) For award of u:
9x2 + 15x + 15x + 25 ● expanding and simplifying the quadratic.
9x2 + 30x + 25

(b) 2𝑥 × 23𝑥−8 = 24 For award of u:

2x + 3x – 8 = 24 ONE of:
x + 3x – 8 = 4 ● simplification of the powers of 2 on the LHS
4x – 8 = 4 ● consistently forming a linear equation from a base of 2
4x = 12 For award of r:
x=3 ● correct value of x found.

(c) 2 (𝑥 + 1 ) − 2 (𝑥 − 3 ) For award of u:

(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1) ONE of:
3 ● correct arrangement of numerator and denominator on LHS (accept
= unsimplified expression)
𝑥 + 5 ● consistent factorisation of quadratic expression
2𝑥 + 2 − 2𝑥 + 6 3 ● consistently rearranges equation to remove denominators.
=
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1) 𝑥 + 5 For award of r:
8(x + 5) = 3(x – 3)(x + 1) ONE of:
8x + 40 = 3(x2 – 2x – 3)
● correctly rearranges equation to remove denominators
8x + 40 = 3x2 – 6x – 9 ● consistent solutions from their quadratic equation
3x2 – 14x – 49 = 0 ● correctly combines into a single fraction (numerator must be
0 = (3x + 7)(x – 7) simplified).
Either 3x + 7 = 0 For award of t:
7 ● equation solved for both values.
𝑥 = −3
Or x – 7 = 0
x=7
(d) (2𝑥 − 7)(𝑥 + 2) For award of u:
2(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2) ONE of:
● numerator or denominator fully factorised
2𝑥 – 7 ● consistent simplification from their factorisation.
= For award of r:
2(𝑥 – 2)
or ● simplification of expression.
2𝑥 – 7
=
2𝑥 − 4
(𝑥 ≠ 2 not required)
 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027A) 2021 — page 6 of 6

(e) 3x + 2y = 20 For award of u:

2y = 20 – 3x ONE of:
20 − 3𝑥 ● forms the equation 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 20
𝑦= ● consistently factorises quadratic expression
2
● consistently solves quadratic equation
● consistently forms an equation in 1 variable.
Area = 14 gives xy = 14
For award of r:
20 − 3𝑥
𝑥× = 14 ONE of:
2
● forms an equation in one variable
x(20 – 3x) = 28
● consistently solves their equations for 𝑥
20x – 3x2 = 28
0 = 3x2 – 20x + 28 For award of t:
0 = (3x – 14)(x – 2) ● finds both possible values of 𝑥

Either 3x – 14 = 0
14
𝑥= (or equivalent)
3
Or x – 2 = 0
x=2

Alternative Method
3x + 2y = 20
Area = 14 gives xy = 14
14
𝑦=
𝑥
14
Giving 3𝑥 + 2 × = 20
𝑥
3x2 + 28 = 20x
3x2 – 20x + 28 = 0
(3x – 14)(x – 2) = 0
Either 3x – 14 = 0
14
𝑥= (or equivalent)
3
Or x – 2 = 0
x=2
Both values required.
 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027B) 2021 — page 1 of 6

Assessment Schedule – 2021

Mathematics and Statistics: Apply algebraic procedures in solving problems (91027B)
Day 2
Candidates must show algebraic working.
Solutions in a multi-part question may be found in any part and awarded credit.
Equivalent methods of solving problems are accepted on condition that the candidate is demonstrating algebraic solutions at
curriculum level 6, which may include algebraic thinking at curriculum level 6.
Once a student has made an error, for any consistent working to provide evidence towards a grade, the procedure must be
performed at curriculum level 6.

Q Expected Coverage Grade (generated by correctly demonstrating the procedures

listed in EN4)
ONE
Requirements are for the student responses to be correct
(ignoring numerical errors) unless the statement specifies
consistent
(a) y + 5 + y + 2 + y + 3y – 2 = 35 For award of u:
6y + 5 = 35 ● form and solve linear equation.
6y = 30
y=5

(b) 8𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 ≥ 8𝑥 2 − 15𝑥 − 2 #1 For award of u:

ONE of:
2𝑥 − 3 ≥ −15 𝑥 − 2 ● expand either quadratic expression #1
● solution found as an equation instead of an inequation
● consistent solution to the inequality
17𝑥 ≥ 1
● consistent simplifying of both sides of the inequality.

1 For award of r:
𝑥 ≥ ● correct inequality found (accept >).
17

(c) 6g + 8h = 20 ×4 For award of u:

8g + 10h = 26 ×3 ONE of:
● forms both equations for perimeter (must have combined like
24g + 32h = 80 terms)
● consistent combining of their equations in one variable
24g + 30h = 78
● consistent solution for one variable.
Subtracting gives 2h = 2
h=1 For award of r:
Then g = 2 ONE of:
Rectangle A dimensions: 6 cm by 4 cm. ● correctly combines the equations in one variable
● consistently finds dimensions.
Rectangle B dimensions: 8 cm by 5 cm.
For award of t:
● correct dimensions of both rectangles found (units not required).
(d) 3(𝑦 + 3) − 4(2𝑦 − 3) For award of u:
=3 ONE of:
12
3𝑦 + 9 − 8𝑦 + 12 ● correct arrangement for both numerator and denominator
=3 (does not need to be simplified)
12 ● consistent solution found.
3y + 9 – 8y + 12 = 36
–5y + 21 = 36 For award of r:
–5y = 15 ● correct solution found.
y = –3
 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027B) 2021 — page 2 of 6

(e) (9 + 2x)(6 + 2x) = 2 × 54 For award of u:

54 + 18x + 12x + 4x2 = 108 ONE of:
4x2 + 30x – 54 = 0 #1 ● forms correct expression for lengths of both edges in terms of x
2x + 15x – 27 = 0
2 ● consistent simplifying of equation to a quadratic equated to 0 #1
(2x – 3)(x + 9) = 0 ● consistent factorising of their quadratic equation.
For award of r:
Either 2x – 3 = 0 ONE of:
3 ● simplification to a quadratic equation (= 0 not required) #1
𝑥= ● consistent solving of their quadratic equation and recognition of
2 positive value.

Or x + 9 = 0 For award of t:
x = –9 (ignore) ● correct positive solution found for the question, with evidence of
correct negative value disregarded.

Units not required.

 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027B) 2021 — page 3 of 6

Q Expected Coverage Grade (generated by correctly demonstrating the procedures listed

in EN4)
TWO
Requirements are for the student responses to be correct (ignoring
numerical errors) unless the statement specifies consistent
(a) (4y + 7)(4y + 7) For award of u:
16y2 + 28y + 28y + 49 ● expanding and simplifying the quadratic.
16y2 + 56y + 49

(b) 22𝑦 + 2𝑦−12 = 24 For award of u:

2y + 2y – 12 = 4 ONE of:
4y – 12 = 4 ● simplification of the powers of 2 on the LHS
4y = 16 ● consistently forming a linear equation from a base of 2
y=4 For award of r:
● correct value of y found.

(c) 3 (𝑦 + 4 ) − 3 (𝑦 − 4 ) For award of u:

(𝑦 − 4)(𝑦 + 4) ONE of:
2 ● correct arrangement of numerator and denominator on LHS (accept
= unsimplified expression)
𝑦 + 1 ● consistent factorisation of quadratic expression
3𝑦 + 12 − 3𝑦 + 12 ● consistently rearranges equation to remove denominator.
(𝑦 2 − 16) For award of r:
2 ONE of:
=
𝑦 + 1 ● correctly rearranges equation to remove denominators
24(y + 1) = 2(y2 – 16) ● consistent solutions from their quadratic equation
24y + 24 = 2y2 – 32 ● correctly combines into a single fraction (numerator must be
simplified).
0 = 2y2 – 24y – 56
0 = y2 – 12y – 28 For award of t:
0 = (y + 2)(y – 14) ● equation solved for both values.

Either y + 2 = 0
y = –2
Or y – 14 = 0
y = 14
(d) (3𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 2) For award of u:
3(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2) ONE of:
● numerator or denominator fully factorised
● consistent simplification from their factorisation.
3𝑥 + 4
= For award of r:
3(𝑥 + 2) ● simplification of expression.
or
3𝑥 + 4
=
3𝑥 + 6
(x ≠ –2 not required)
 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027B) 2021 — page 4 of 6

(e) 3x + 2y = 16 For award of u:

2y = 16 – 3x ONE of:
16 − 3𝑥 ● forms equation 3x + 2y = 16
𝑦= ● consistently factorises quadratic expression
2
● consistently solves quadratic equation
● consistently forms an equation in 1 variable.
Area = 10 gives xy = 10
For award of r:
16 − 3𝑥
𝑥× = 10 ONE of:
2
● forms an equation in one variable
x(16 – 3x) = 20
● consistently solves their equations for x
16x – 3x2 = 20
0 = 3x2 – 16x + 20 For award of t:
0 = (3x – 10)(x – 2) ● finds both possible values of x

Either 3x – 10 = 0
10
𝑥= (or equivalent)
3
Or x – 2 = 0
x=2

Alternative Method
3x + 2y = 16
Area = 10 gives xy = 10
10
𝑦=
𝑥
Giving
10
3𝑥 + 2 × = 16
𝑥
3x2 + 20 = 16x
3x2 – 16x + 20 = 0
(3x – 10)(x – 2) = 0

Either 3x – 10 = 0
10
𝑥= (or equivalent)
3
Or x – 2 = 0
x=2

Both values required.

 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027B) 2021 — page 5 of 6

Q Evidence Grade (generated by correctly demonstrating the procedures

THREE listed in EN4)
Requirements are for the student responses to be correct (ignoring
numerical errors) unless the statement specifies consistent
(a) = 3 × (–3)2 – 4 × 2 × –3 For award of u:
= 3 × 9 + 24 ● correct solution (accept 27 + 24)
= 27 + 24 (numerical errors not allowed)
= 51

(b) 3x2 – 14x – 5 = 0 For award of u:

(3x + 1)(x – 5) = 0 ONE of:
● factorising the quadratic expression
Either 3x + 1 = 0 ● consistent solving of the quadratic equation.
1 For award of r:
𝑥= − = −0.3333
3 ONE of:
● both correct values for x (or a and b) found
Or x – 5 = 0 ● consistent difference between a and b found.
x=5 For award of t:
● correct difference between a and b found.
1
Then a – b= 53

Accept alternative formats of the answer.

(c) (3x + v)(3x + v) = 9x2 + wx + 16 For award of u:
9𝑥 2 + 3𝑣𝑥 + 3𝑣𝑥 + 𝑣 2 ONE of:
= 9𝑥 2 + 𝑤𝑥 + 16 ● correct expansion of (3x + v)2 (does not need to be simplified)
● using algebra to find the value of v = 4 OR w = 24
9x2 + 6vx + v2 = 9x2 + wx + 16
For award of r:
v2 = 16 and 6v = w
● using algebra to find the values of v = 4 AND w = 24
v = 4 (or v = –4 not required)
w=6×4
w = 24 and v = 4
(d) (g2 – 4)(g2 – 4) = 0 For award of u:
ONE of:
g2 – 4 = 0 ● recognising that g4 = (g2)2 within a quadratic factorisation process
● consistent solving of their quadratic equation.
(𝑔 + 2)(𝑔 − 2) = 0
𝑔 = ±2 For award of r:
ONE of:
or
● correct factorisation of the equation into quadratic factors
g2 – 4 = 0 ● consistent solution of their equation involving g2
g2 = 4 ● one correct solution.
g=±2 For award of t:
● correct solutions for both values of g = 2 and g = –2
 NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and Statistics CAT (91027B) 2021 — page 6 of 6

(e) T (p – 3q) = 7p – 6q #1 For award of u:

ONE of:
● multiplies LHS by (p - 3q) and left numerator on RHS #1
Tp – 3Tq = 7p – 6q ● consistently collecting terms involving q and terms not involving
6q – 3Tq = 7p – Tp #2 q on different sides of the equation #2
● consistently factorising the pair of terms involving q #3
q(6 – 3T) = 7p – Tp #3
For award of r:
TWO of:
q= ● multiplies LHS by (p - 3q) and left numerator on RHS #1
● consistently collecting terms involving q and terms not involving
Accept other equivalent solutions. q on different sides of the equation #2
● consistently factorising the pair of terms involving q #3
For award of t:
● correct rearrangement.