Two things you need to do — to get good at maths
It seems that, for entry to a UK 6th form, many schools are looking for an indication of maths ability. That’s fine for students who are pursuing a career in science. But what if you need to gain a place, but never going near a quadratic equation ever again?
These two things will help you to get a better grade:
Start writing stuff down. Stop doing stuff in your head.
Grrrr. There’s definitely a culture of writing the minimum. Particularly with maths, a couple of quick squiggles is deemed to be sufficient. I do understand that you might work through a problem ‘mentally,’ but there are additional marks to be made by showing your method.
Examiners are not just looking for calculations — they need an indication that you have a clear approach to problem solving.
And it’s not just a case of writing what you’re thinking, in the actual exam. I would also encourage you to write stuff down during your revision. The discipline of writing helps to cement the topic in your mind — making it much easier when a similar question is asked in the future.
If you consistently write out formulas, and take the time (milliseconds!) to add that extra depth to your work, you will be more confident. It’s ideal to reinforce a method, provide a sense of direction, focus intelligent engagement with the problem and, ultimately, make for a better conversation with this tutor.
I’m persuaded that the difference could be one whole grade, in an exam.
Stop working on the easy bits
During revision, it makes sense to try some slightly tougher questions, than the ones you are usually comfortable with. While it’s important to build ‘confidence and concentration’ — too much — just doesn’t move you forward. Sorry about that.
The first ten questions, of most exam papers, will give a bare pass — assuming that you achieve fairly good marks.
But it’s the second ten questions that make a difference… and they are the ones that you should practice more. A stretch into less familiar topics makes a definite difference.
There is also a secondary benefit. Real confidence. The ability to actually look back and say ‘I did that, and I understood it.’
Want to achieve a higher grade? Write stuff down, and stop working on the easy questions.
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