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Key Facts: GCE O/L Mathematics Exam

Subject 32

Official Department of Examinations Subject Code

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

42 Problems

Official Examination Total Question Pool

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

5 Hours

Total Examination Duration (Paper I: 2h + Paper II: 3h)

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

Grade S

Minimum Passing Grade Benchmark (35 Marks)

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

3 Languages

Administered in Sinhala, Tamil, and English Media

Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka GCE O/L Mathematics (Subject Code 32) is a mandatory core subject evaluated via Paper I (30 questions, 2 hours) and Paper II (10 selected problems, 3 hours). A qualifying pass is mandatory for progression to GCE Advanced Level study streams.

Sample GCE O/L Mathematics Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the GCE O/L Mathematics exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A student spent 2/5 of her pocket money on books and 1/3 of the remainder on stationery. What fraction of her initial pocket money is left?
A.2/5
B.4/15
C.7/15
D.1/5
Explanation: Let initial pocket money be 1 whole. After spending 2/5 on books, the remainder is 1 - 2/5 = 3/5. The student then spends 1/3 of this remainder on stationery: (1/3) * (3/5) = 1/5. The fraction left is the remaining amount minus the stationery cost: 3/5 - 1/5 = 2/5.
2The marked price of a school bag is Rs. 3,200. A shopkeeper offers a cash discount of 15%. What is the selling price of the bag?
A.Rs. 2,560
B.Rs. 2,720
C.Rs. 2,880
D.Rs. 2,940
Explanation: Discount amount = 15% of Rs. 3,200 = (15/100) * 3200 = Rs. 480. Selling price = Marked price - Discount = Rs. 3,200 - Rs. 480 = Rs. 2,720. Alternatively, selling price = 85% of Rs. 3,200 = 0.85 * 3200 = Rs. 2,720.
3A sum of Rs. 45,000 is divided among Amal, Bina, and Charith in the ratio 2 : 3 : 4. How much money does Bina receive?
A.Rs. 10,000
B.Rs. 15,000
C.Rs. 20,000
D.Rs. 12,500
Explanation: Total number of ratio parts = 2 + 3 + 4 = 9 parts. Value of 1 part = Rs. 45,000 / 9 = Rs. 5,000. Bina's share corresponds to 3 parts: 3 * Rs. 5,000 = Rs. 15,000.
4Express 0.000408 in standard scientific notation (standard form).
A.4.08 × 10^-4
B.4.08 × 10^-3
C.40.8 × 10^-5
D.4.08 × 10^4
Explanation: To write a number in standard form a × 10^n, where 1 <= a < 10, the decimal point must be moved 4 places to the right: 0.000408 = 4.08 × 10^-4.
5What is the highest common factor (HCF) of 72 and 108?
A.18
B.24
C.36
D.216
Explanation: Find prime factorisations: 72 = 2^3 * 3^2, and 108 = 2^2 * 3^3. The HCF is obtained by multiplying the lowest powers of shared prime factors: 2^2 * 3^2 = 4 * 9 = 36.
6Convert the recurring decimal 0.777... (0.7 recurring) to a vulgar fraction in simplest form.
A.7/10
B.7/9
C.77/100
D.3/4
Explanation: Let x = 0.777... Multiplying by 10 gives 10x = 7.777... Subtracting the first equation from the second: 10x - x = 7.777... - 0.777... => 9x = 7 => x = 7/9.
7A person deposits Rs. 60,000 in a savings account paying an annual simple interest rate of 8%. What is the total simple interest earned after 3 years?
A.Rs. 4,800
B.Rs. 12,000
C.Rs. 14,400
D.Rs. 16,800
Explanation: Simple Interest I = (P * T * R) / 100. Here P = Rs. 60,000, T = 3 years, and R = 8%. I = (60,000 * 3 * 8) / 100 = 600 * 24 = Rs. 14,400.
8If universal set E = {x : x is a positive integer and x <= 12} and set P = {x : x is a prime number and x <= 12}, find n(P'), the number of elements in the complement of P.
A.5
B.6
C.7
D.8
Explanation: Universal set E = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12}, so n(E) = 12. Prime numbers <= 12 are P = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11}, so n(P) = 5 (note that 1 is neither prime nor composite). Therefore, n(P') = n(E) - n(P) = 12 - 5 = 7. Elements of P' are {1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12}.
9A small business borrows Rs. 50,000 at a compound interest rate of 10% per annum, compounded annually. What is the total amount (principal + interest) due at the end of 2 years?
A.Rs. 60,000
B.Rs. 60,500
C.Rs. 61,000
D.Rs. 55,000
Explanation: Using the compound amount formula A = P(1 + r/100)^n: A = 50,000 * (1 + 10/100)^2 = 50,000 * (1.10)^2 = 50,000 * 1.21 = Rs. 60,500. Step-by-step: Interest in year 1 = 10% of 50,000 = 5,000, bringing balance to 55,000. Interest in year 2 = 10% of 55,000 = 5,500. Total amount = 55,000 + 5,500 = Rs. 60,500.
10An electrical appliance valued at Rs. 120,000 is imported to Sri Lanka. If the customs duty charged by Sri Lanka Customs is 25%, what is the total cost of the appliance including customs duty?
A.Rs. 30,000
B.Rs. 145,000
C.Rs. 150,000
D.Rs. 160,000
Explanation: Customs duty amount = 25% of Rs. 120,000 = (25/100) * 120,000 = Rs. 30,000. Total cost = Declared value + Customs duty = Rs. 120,000 + Rs. 30,000 = Rs. 150,000.

About the GCE O/L Mathematics Exam

The Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Mathematics (Subject Code 32) is the compulsory quantitative benchmark administered annually by the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka. Taken by all Grade 11 candidates, passing Mathematics with at least a Credit Pass (Grade C) or Ordinary Pass (Grade S) is a mandatory statutory prerequisite for admission into collegiate GCE Advanced Level streams (Physical Science, Biological Science, Commerce, Technology, and Arts). The curriculum builds core competence across commercial mathematics, algebraic operations, coordinate geometry, Euclidean geometry, trigonometry, solid mensuration, statistics, and probability. This study bank provides 100 targeted practice questions with complete worked mathematical calculations.

Exam sponsor: Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka (doenets.lk). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The examination comprises two written papers: Paper I (total 2 hours, 100 marks) contains Part A with 25 short-answer questions (50 marks, 1 hour) and Part B with 5 structured multi-part questions (50 marks, 1 hour). Paper II (total 3 hours, 100 marks) consists of Section A (6 multi-part problems, candidates select 5) and Section B (6 multi-part problems, candidates select 5). Standard mathematical tables are provided; electronic calculators are strictly prohibited.

Time Limit

Paper I: 2 hours; Paper II: 3 hours 10 minutes

Passing Score

Grade S or higher (grades: A, B, C, S, W/F)

Exam / Certification Fees

Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Approximately 65% to 70% of candidates achieve a Grade S or higher nationally.. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Numbers, Arithmetic, and Commercial Mathematics

Real numbers, fractions, percentages, ratio and proportion, indices and logarithms, simple and compound interest, income tax and rates, custom duty, shares and dividends.

25%

Algebra, Equations, and Graphs

Algebraic expressions, factorization, algebraic fractions, linear equations, simultaneous equations, quadratic equations, linear inequalities, Cartesian coordinates, linear graphs, quadratic graphs and turning points.

25%

Geometry and Trigonometry

Angles associated with parallel lines, triangles and congruency, quadrilaterals and parallelograms, theorem of Pythagoras, circle theorems (angles in circles, cyclic quadrilaterals, tangents to circles), geometric constructions and loci, trigonometric ratios (sin, cos, tan) and angles of elevation/depression.

25%

Measurement, Statistics, and Probability

Perimeter and area of plane figures, surface area and volume of solids (cylinder, cone, sphere, prism), grouped and ungrouped data, mean, median, mode, cumulative frequency curves (ogive), quartiles, basic probability and tree diagrams.

Preparing for the GCE O/L Mathematics Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade S or higher (grades: A, B, C, S, W/F)
  • Assessment: The examination comprises two written papers: Paper I (total 2 hours, 100 marks) contains Part A with 25 short-answer questions (50 marks, 1 hour) and Part B with 5 structured multi-part questions (50 marks, 1 hour). Paper II (total 3 hours, 100 marks) consists of Section A (6 multi-part problems, candidates select 5) and Section B (6 multi-part problems, candidates select 5). Standard mathematical tables are provided; electronic calculators are strictly prohibited.
  • Time limit: Paper I: 2 hours; Paper II: 3 hours 10 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of the Sri Lanka GCE O/L Mathematics examination?

The examination comprises two papers: Paper I consists of Part A (25 short-answer questions, 1 hour, 50 marks) and Part B (5 structured questions, 1 hour, 50 marks), totaling 2 hours and 100 marks. Paper II lasts 3 hours (100 marks) and contains 12 comprehensive problems split into Section A and Section B; candidates must answer 5 questions from each section (10 questions in total). Both papers carry equal weight in calculating the final composite percentage.

Are calculators allowed in the GCE O/L Mathematics examination?

No. Electronic calculators of any type are strictly prohibited in the examination hall for GCE Ordinary Level Mathematics. Candidates are supplied with standard four-figure mathematical tables (providing common logarithms, anti-logarithms, and trigonometric ratios for sine, cosine, and tangent) by the Department of Examinations.

How are grades determined and what are the passing criteria?

Composite marks from Paper I and Paper II are converted into letter grades: Grade A (Distinction, 75–100 marks), Grade B (Very Good Pass, 65–74 marks), Grade C (Credit Pass, 55–64 marks), Grade S (Ordinary Pass, 35–54 marks), and Grade W (Weak/Fail, 0–34 marks). A minimum of Grade S is required to pass, while many A/L subject combinations (such as Physical Science, Biological Science, and Commerce) require at least a Grade C in Mathematics.

In what languages is the examination offered?

The GCE O/L Mathematics examination is conducted island-wide in three official media of instruction: Sinhala, Tamil, and English. The question papers maintain identical content, diagrams, and numerical problems across all three languages.

What mathematical tools and equipment should candidates bring to the exam?

Candidates must bring standard geometrical instruments including a straight ruler (marked in centimeters and millimeters), a pair of compasses, dividers, a protractor, and sharp pencils for geometric constructions and graph plotting. Mathematical tables and graph sheets are provided inside the examination center.