How to use the exam system for your maths exam

For Open Awards we use an online system called XAMS. This allows you to type your answers and working out for the examiner to mark.

You can find a link to the Open Awards mock for level 2 maths here.

You can find a link to the Open Awards mock for level 1 maths here.

1. You will see these instructions when you first open the exam. They give you the timings and mark breakdown. Section A (non-calculator) is 30 mins and is worth 15 marks, sections B (calculator) is 90 mins and worth 45 marks.

You will see these instructions when you first open the exam. They give you the timings and mark breakdown. Section A (non-calculator) is 30 mins and is worth 15 marks, sections B (calculator) is 90 mins and worth 45 marks.

2. You can change the colours of the page if this is something you require. Click default.

You can change the colours of the page if this is something you require. Click default.

3. You can then choose the colour contrast you would like.

You can then choose the colour contrast you would like.

4. For example, this is 'Dark on Bright'

For example, this is 'Dark on Bright'

5. To start the exam, click start in the top right corner.

To start the exam, click start in the top right corner.

6. This is the layout of the exam, you have the question in the middle of the screen, with an answer box below and a box on the right hand side to show your working out. You can see how many marks are available for this question in the question box.

This is the layout of the exam, you have the question in the middle of the screen, with an answer box below and a box on the right hand side to show your working out. You can see how many marks are available for this question in the question box.

7. There is a timer on the top right that tells you how much time you have left in that section.

There is a timer on the top right that tells you how much time you have left in that section.

8. Type your calculations in the box on the right, this will be marked by the examiner so make sure it makes sense!

Type your calculations in the box on the right, this will be marked by the examiner so make sure it makes sense!

9. Put your final answer in the box highlighted below.

Put your final answer in the box highlighted below.

10. You can move onto the next question in one of two ways, the first is by clicking the arrow above the question.

You can move onto the next question in one of two ways, the first is by clicking the arrow above the question.

11. The second way to move between questions is by clicking the question number on the left hand side. If the number is green that means you have given an answer, if it's grey then the answer box is blank.

The second way to move between questions is by clicking the question number on the left hand side. If the number is blue that means you have given an answer, if it's grey then the answer box is blank.

12. If you are struggling to answer a question and want to come back to it, you can click the bookmark icon.

If you are struggling to answer a question and want to come back to it, you can click the bookmark icon.

13. Clicking the bookmark will but a little red bookmark icon next to the question number so you know to go back to it.

Clicking the bookmark will but a little red bookmark icon next to the question number so you know to go back to it.

14. Once you reach the end of section A you will need to click finish to get to section B.

Once you reach the end of section A you will need to click finish to get to section B.

15. Once you click 'OK' this will move you onto section B and you will not be able to go back to section A. Please make sure you have answered all the questions in section A before moving on. Don't forget you have 30 minutes for section A so USE IT!

Once you click 'OK' this will move you onto section B and you will not be able to go back to section A. Please make sure you have answered all the questions in section A before moving on. Don't forget you have 30 minutes for section A so USE IT!

16. You will then move onto section B of the exam, this is the calculator section and you have 90 minutes to complete it.

You will then move onto section B of the exam, this is the calculator section and you have 90 minutes to complete it.

17. Everything is the same as section A except there is an on screen calculator for this part. You can type calculations in on the calculator.

Everything is the same as section A except there is an on screen calculator for this part. You can type calculations in on the calculator.

18. By clicking =, this will work out the answer for you

By clicking =, this will work out the answer for you

19. Anything you work out using the calculator will automatically be put in the working out box

Anything you work out using the calculator will automatically be put in the working out box

20. Make sure all your working is in the box on the right and your final answer is in the bottom box.

Make sure all your working is on the box on the right and your final answer is in the bottom box.

21. Work your way through all the questions, don't forget you can go back to questions you have skipped within the 90 minutes. Once you are finished and are happy with your answers, click finish.

Work your way through all the questions, don't forget you can go back to questions you have skipped within the 90 minutes. Once you are finished and are happy with your answers, click finish.

22. Click on OK and your exam will be submitted.

Click on OK and your exam will be submitted.

23. You will see the message once you have submitted your exam.

You will see the message once you have submitted your exam.