Higher Applications of Mathematics
Higher Applications of Mathematics is out of 110: a question paper scaled to 80 marks and a 30-mark project. The 2027 exam is on Monday 26 April, from 1pm to 3:05pm.
- Question paper13:00 to 15:05
What grade is my mark?
Type a total mark to see the grade it would have got.
How the A and C boundaries have moved
Boundaries as a share of the total marks. A lower line means the papers were judged harder that year. Qualifications Scotland publishes boundaries from 2022 in this format.
| Year | Out of | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 110 | 76 | 63 | 50 | 37 |
| 2025 | 110 | 75 | 64 | 53 | 42 |
| 2024 | 110 | 73 | 61 | 50 | 38 |
| 2023 | 110 | 67 | 55 | 43 | 31 |
| 2022 | 110 | 64 | 52 | 41 | 29 |
A different kind of Higher maths
Higher Applications of Mathematics is not a version of Higher Maths. It focuses on finance, statistics, modelling and planning, using real data.
The question paper lasts 2 hours 5 minutes. It is marked out of 65 and scaled to 80. You need a calculator and a computer with spreadsheet and statistical software, but no internet. Some questions come with spreadsheet files to work in.
The project is worth 30 marks. It is a statistical investigation using software such as RStudio or Minitab.
In 2027 the exam is on Monday 26 April, from 1pm to 3:05pm. It is the first Higher exam of the diet.
Content and weighting
The course specification sets a rough share of the paper for each area:
| Area | Share of the question paper |
|---|---|
| Finance | about 30% to 45% |
| Mathematical modelling | about 15% to 35% |
| Statistics | about 10% to 25% |
| Planning and decision making | about 10% to 25% |
Finance is the biggest single area. It covers interest, loans, credit cards, savings and personal financial planning.
What the 2026 course report found
About 7,000 candidates sat the course in 2026. Most could complete a PERT chart and plot a scatter graph. Many stated float time with units and did well on probability and Venn diagrams.
Interpretation was the weak point. Most did not explain a negative correlation coefficient in context. Many did not name the type of model they had made from a graph. Others did not say what a graph showed in context.
The report gave practical advice:
- print spreadsheets in both value view and formula view
- use the data booklet when answering questions
- in the project, explain why your data or source is valid and unbiased
In 2026 an A needed 76 out of 110, a B 63 and a C 50.
Using specimen and past papers
Qualifications Scotland has published a specimen paper and two additional specimen papers, A and B. Sit them on a computer with the same software you will use in the exam.
After each paper, compare your interpretations with the marking instructions. Credit usually depends on a sentence in context, not just the number.
Revision checklist
Tick topics as you revise. Ticks are saved on this device only.
- Sit specimen papers A and B on a computer with your exam software
- Practise spreadsheet formulae for loans, savings and compound interest
- Print spreadsheets in both value view and formula view every time
- Interpret correlation coefficients in a sentence that mentions the context
- Name the type of model, such as linear or exponential, when fitting data
- Complete PERT charts and calculate float times with units
- Practise hypothesis tests and confidence intervals in your statistical software
- Learn where each formula sits in the data booklet
- Justify why your project data is valid and unbiased
Quick answers
- Do you need a computer for the Higher Applications of Maths exam?
Yes. You need a computer with spreadsheet and statistical software, with no internet access, as well as a calculator.
- How many marks is Higher Applications of Maths out of?
110. The question paper is marked out of 65 and scaled to 80, and the project is worth 30.
- Is Higher Applications of Maths the same as Higher Maths?
No. It is a separate course focused on finance, statistics, modelling and planning. Higher Maths covers algebra, calculus and geometry.
- When is the Higher Applications of Maths exam in 2027?
Monday 26 April 2027, from 1pm to 3:05pm.