Maths can be very stressful, but it doesn’t have to be if you are prepared. Here are some great tips to help excel in the subject.
Before the exam
Don’t leave revision till the last minute. Start now, you will thank yourself later! Ask your teacher for help if you are not sure how to revise / where to start. Use any past papers you can find for your revision. Practice answering them like an actual exam – no distractions, set a timer. Use these not only to identify which topics you need to revise further, but to understand how an examiner uses the mark scheme to mark your exam. You will learn how important it is for working out to be set out neatly and in a logical order. If you are untidy and disorganised, you might misread some of your own work and/or lose marks because the examiner cannot read your work or follow your method.
Check you have been given the correct paper (exam board and tier!) and that you have all the equipment you need.
During your exam
Any formulas you have memorised (that you often struggle remembering), write them in your exam paper as soon as the exam starts.
Read through all the questions carefully and then start with the question(s) that you think you can do best too build confidence and warm up your maths brain.
Make sure you understand what the question is asking you to do:
- Write down/state – no explanation is needed for an answer
- Calculate/find/show/solve – include enough working out to make your method clear
- Draw/construct – Plot accurately using mathematical equipment
- Not drawn accurately – the question does not require you to use any measuring equipment
The number of marks for each question is given in brackets at the end of each question or part of a question. This gives some indication of how many steps will be required to answer the question and therefore how much time to spend on each question. If the question is 2 marks and you have only given one answer or shown no working out it is very likely that you can only score a maximum of one mark.
Write down all the figures on your calculator display and then make a suitable rounding. Don’t round the numbers during the calculation as this will often result in an incorrect answer as it is not accurate. Remember that the ANS button stores your last answer in your calculator. Read the question again to ensure your answer matches what was asked.
State units throughout your working so you don’t forget them at the end if they are required.
Check that your answers are reasonable. For example, the mean height of a class is not going to be 193 metres.
Remember that if all that is written down is an answer and that answer is wrong you gain no marks.
Once you have finished the paper if you have any time left check the work you have done. Don’t just flick through the pages. The best way to do this is to work through the questions again checking every step for silly mistakes (If it is a calculator paper, type the calculations in again checking you have clicked the correct buttons).
When there are about 15 minutes remaining in the examination then quickly check if you are running out of time. If you think that you will run out of time then try to score as many marks as possible by concentrating on the easier parts, the first parts, of any questions that you have not yet attempted. If you are not sure how to answer a question don’t leave it blank. Got some numbers? Multiply them, add them, subtract them.
How EDClass can help
EDClass‘ online alternative provision provides one-to-one support from UK-qualified teachers when pupils are enrolled via their school or MAT on a seat. The system has integrated progress tracking of attendance and attainment levels and has an extensive library of Mathematics content ranging from KS1-KS4.
EDClass TV is also a perfect homeschooling alternative for parents who want to assist their child for just £9.99 per month. The platform has a range of video lesson content and can be accessed at any point.
If you would like some information on how EDClass can support you, your students or your child then contact 01909 568 338, send an email to mail@edclass.com or directly book a free online demonstration by clicking here or clicking the image below.
