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Numeracy and mathematics – Third level (Curriculum for Excellence, Scotland): What to Teach (Scotland)

Your Teacher Information Pack for Numeracy and mathematics – Third level (Curriculum for Excellence, Scotland) in Scotland: the curriculum structure, our short summaries with links to the official wording, and key dates.

Country
Scotland
Level
Third level
Ages
11/12–14/15
Source
Curriculum for Excellence – experiences and outcomes (broad general education)
Last checked
2026-10-20

Usually S1–S3 (third and fourth levels are both covered in S1–S3) (a guide, not a fixed year group). Roughly US Grades 7–9 (approximate).

Plan the whole year: open this course in the Year Planner – every lesson dated around your term dates, with a coverage check. Free.

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What to teach

Below are the experiences and outcomes with their official codes, in our own short summaries. Each code links to the official document.

Number, money and measure: Estimation and rounding

  • MNU 3-01a Round numbers to suitable accuracy, considering the problem's context.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Number and number processes

  • MNU 3-03a Use varied methods on familiar problems, communicating processes clearly.
  • MNU 3-03b Recall number facts quickly and use them accurately in calculations.
  • MNU 3-04a Use understanding of negative numbers to solve simple contextual problems.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Multiples, factors and primes

  • MTH 3-05a Investigate common multiples and factors, explaining ideas and solving problems.
  • MTH 3-05b Use factor understanding to identify whether a number is prime.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Powers and roots

  • MTH 3-06a Evaluate whole-number powers mentally or with technology.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Fractions, decimal fractions and percentages

  • MNU 3-07a Calculate with varied fractions, decimals and percentages for real-life comparisons.
  • MTH 3-07b Add and subtract common fractions using equivalents and common multiples.
  • MTH 3-07c Convert between whole or mixed numbers and fractions.
  • MNU 3-08a Increase or decrease related quantities proportionally for everyday problems.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Money

  • MNU 3-09a Compare contracts and services, discuss advantages, and identify best value.
  • MNU 3-09b Budget using technology and other methods; plan for future expenses.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Time

  • MNU 3-10a Calculate journey time, speed or distance using simple time periods.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Measurement

  • MNU 3-11a Solve practical problems choosing units, accuracy and formulas for area or volume.
  • MTH 3-11b Find area of compound 2D shapes and volume of compound 3D objects.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Mathematics – its impact on the world, past, present and future

  • MTH 3-12a Research a mathematician or topic and deliver a short presentation.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Patterns and relationships

  • MTH 3-13a Find a number set from a rule; determine and notate sequence rules.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Expressions and equations

  • MTH 3-14a Collect like terms, simplify expressions, and evaluate by substitution.
  • MTH 3-15a Form and solve simple equations from written or pictorial information.
  • MTH 3-15b Construct formulas from pictorial representations and diagrams.

Official wording

Shape, position and movement: Properties of 2D shapes and 3D objects

  • MTH 3-16a Accurately draw 2D shapes using instruments and suitable methods.

Official wording

Shape, position and movement: Angle, symmetry and transformation

  • MTH 3-17a Name angles and find sizes using shape properties and parallel lines.
  • MTH 3-17b Interpret maps and create scale drawings of routes using bearings.
  • MTH 3-17c Enlarge or reduce shapes using scale and various methods.
  • MTH 3-18a Plot and describe point locations using coordinate system knowledge.
  • MTH 3-19a Illustrate lines of symmetry for 2D shapes and complete symmetrical designs.

Official wording

Information handling: Data and analysis

  • MNU 3-20a Collaboratively judge whether sourced information is robust, vague or misleading.
  • MTH 3-20b Consider bias and sample size when analysing or collecting data for fair conclusions.
  • MTH 3-21a Display data clearly with a suitable scale from an extended range of graphs.

Official wording

Information handling: Ideas of chance and uncertainty

  • MNU 3-22a Find simple event probabilities; consider consequences when choosing.

Official wording

Benchmarks (summary)

Guidance Benchmarks and guidance (our summaries)

  • Estimation and rounding: Rounding to three decimal places and routinely estimating answers (2 benchmark statements in the official document). (2 official benchmark bullets)
  • Number and number processes: Recalling facts to 12 times tables; calculating with decimals and integers (6 benchmark statements in the official document). (6 official benchmark bullets)
  • Multiples, factors and primes: Common multiples and factors, identifying primes, writing prime factors (5 benchmark statements in the official document). (5 official benchmark bullets)
  • Powers and roots: Using power notation and evaluating whole-number powers (3 benchmark statements in the official document). (3 official benchmark bullets)
  • Fractions, decimal fractions and percentages: Converting forms, adding fractions, mixed numbers, proportion and ratio (6 benchmark statements in the official document). (6 official benchmark bullets)
  • Money: Comparing best value, budgeting, financial terms and currency conversion (5 benchmark statements in the official document). (5 official benchmark bullets)
  • Time: Using speed, distance and time to find each variable and durations (2 benchmark statements in the official document). (2 official benchmark bullets)
  • Measurement: Choosing units, converting, areas and volumes of compound shapes (5 benchmark statements in the official document). (5 official benchmark bullets)
  • Mathematics – its impact on the world: Presenting on a famous mathematician or mathematical topic (1 benchmark statement in the official document). (1 official benchmark bullets)
  • Patterns and relationships: Generating sequences from rules and writing rules in algebraic notation (3 benchmark statements in the official document). (3 official benchmark bullets)
  • Expressions and equations: Simplifying, evaluating, solving linear equations, creating formulae (5 benchmark statements in the official document). (5 official benchmark bullets)
  • Properties of 2D shapes and 3D objects: Accurately drawing triangles and regular polygons with instruments (1 benchmark statement in the official document). (1 official benchmark bullets)
  • Angle, symmetry and transformation: Angle properties, scale enlargement, bearings, coordinates, all lines of symmetry (7 benchmark statements in the official document). (7 official benchmark bullets)
  • Data and analysis: Judging reliability, avoiding bias, describing trends, displaying data (6 benchmark statements in the official document). (6 official benchmark bullets)
  • Ideas of chance and uncertainty: Probability scales, expected outcomes, mutually exclusive events, decisions (6 benchmark statements in the official document). (6 official benchmark bullets)

Official wording

Assessments and key dates

Qualifications Scotland exams 2027: Mon, 26 April 2027 to Thu, 3 June 2027 (timetable). There are no national tests of curriculum levels; teachers judge progress using the Benchmarks.

Trusted free resources

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More packs

Numeracy and mathematics – Early level · Numeracy and mathematics – First level · Numeracy and mathematics – Second level · Numeracy and mathematics – Fourth level · P1 Numeracy and mathematics · P2 Numeracy and mathematics · P3 Numeracy and mathematics · P4 Numeracy and mathematics · All Scotland packs · Find another TIP

Codes and structure from Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes and Benchmarks, Education Scotland (Crown copyright). Summaries are Classfern's own words – always read the official wording via the link.

No official wording is reproduced: codes and structure are facts, and the short descriptions are our own summaries. Always read the official wording via the links. Checked on 2026-10-20.

Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by Education Scotland, Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA) or the Scottish Government.