2026 Grade 10 Essential Mathematics Mid Term 2 Exam with Marking Scheme

This paper covers the following topics:

• Section A
  • Number theory — factors of composite numbers, prime numbers, odd and even numbers
  • Rational and irrational numbers — classification and justification
  • Fractions — simplification and evaluation of mixed operations
  • Standard form — reciprocals expressed in standard form
  • Estimation and measurement — mean temperature, unit conversion to kilometres
  • Indices and powers — expressing numbers as powers, laws of indices, solving exponential equations
  • Algebra — forming algebraic expressions for area, factorization (difference of two squares)
  • Similarity and enlargement — identifying similar shapes, scale factor, finding lengths using scale factor
• Section B
  • Fractions — simplifying complex fraction expressions
  • Real-life fractions — milk production and profit calculations, maize trading using fractions
  • Indices — laws of indices in index form (multiplication, powers, division)
  • Algebra — factorizing quadratic expressions (difference of two squares) to find dimensions
  • Similarity — surface area ratios of similar shapes (sofas and cuboids)
• Duration: 2 Hours
• Total Marks: 80 (Section A: 30 marks; Section B: 50 marks)
• Structure:
  • Section A (30 marks) — Short-answer and structured questions; all compulsory
  • Section B (50 marks) — Extended-response questions; all compulsory
• File Format: MS Word