Two quite easy marks can be gained from question 7, which is all about time. The answer to 7a is 7:55 am There is one mark for this question. As this is a specific time there is some leeway in how the time is written. Any unambiguous correct indication can be accepted, such as: 07.55          7.55          0755          7 55          7-55           7,55 5 to 8 or five to eight are acceptable. Do not accept 7.55pm or 7.5.5 This is a very straightforward time question; one that children should have come across many times before from Year 4 onwards. It is just a matter of knowing that half an hour is 30 minutes and taking this away from the time. This is probably best done by taking 25 minutes away to make the time 8:00 am and then taking 5 minutes to make 7:55 am. Probably the most common misunderstanding made with this question is to add 30 minutes to the time, making an incorrect answer of 8:55 am. The answer to question 7b is 40 minutes One mark for this question. Again, a simple and straightforward question on time. Working out the time from half past three to ten past four is probably best done by firstly finding the amount of time from half past three to four o’clock. (30 minutes) and then adding the extra ten minutes to get to ten past four. (30 + 10 = 40). If children are going to achieve the higher levels it is important that they get these simpler questions correct, without making any silly miscalculations. Go to Question 7 Paper A 2011