In the final year of elementary school, all Grade 6 students in Quebec are required to write a mathematics examination administered by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec. The purpose of this compulsory exam is to assess their skills and knowledge in math.
The Grade 6 compulsory mathematics examination takes place in June and has three sections: the situational problem, situations involving applications, and the Question Booklet.
1. The situational problem
In the first section of the exam, students are asked to solve a situational problem related to mathematics. This requires using various comprehension strategies. Here’s an example of a situational problem:
Marie is a landscaper. Her team is building a swimming pool. They will install a single layer of cement blocks to construct the bottom (base) of the pool. The base of the pool will measure 50 metres by 25 metres. The edges of each block measure 25 centimetres. Marie’s team can install 150 blocks per day. They are given 30 days to complete the job. They will be charged a penalty fee of $275.49 for each day the work is delayed.
How many blocks will Marie’s team need to complete the base of the pool? Will they be able to finish the work on time? If not, how much will they be penalized?
To help your child review the concepts involved in solving situational problems, we encourage you to read our article on the topic.
2. Situations involving applications
The second section consists of three situations involving applications. The goal is for the student to demonstrate reasoning using mathematical concepts and processes. Here’s what a typical question might look like:
Two cyclists competing in the Tour de France need to ship 2 bikes in 2 large boxes. The cyclists put the 2 boxes side by side. The first box measures 4.6 m x 1.2 m x 60 dm. The second box measures 4.1 m x 140 cm x 50 dm. What combined volume of space do the boxes take up in the transport truck?
3. The Question Booklet
The third and final section consists of questions designed to test the student’s grasp of mathematical concepts and processes. Here’s a sample question:
If you toss a 6-sided die 2 times, what is the total number of possible outcomes?
The Grade 6 mathematics examination evaluates two competencies:
This year, the ministry exam is worth 20% of the evaluated competency.
During the mathematics examination, your child will be allowed to use the following materials:
Your child will NOT be allowed to use the following materials:
For even more information about how you can help your child with exam preparation, visit our topic page on the matter.
To write the ministry math exam, your child must be able to recognize and apply the different concepts they learned in class. These may include the following:
To help your child prepare for the exam and ensure they have a good grasp of the various concepts learned in class, you can encourage them to consult the following resources:
For more information about the exam, please visit the government's website.
Writing : The Alloprof Parents' team