I thought I would write down some helpful tips and advice for students. These articles may be helpful to you whether you are at high school, preparing for exams AP, SAT or ACT, or at college.

From my personal experiences both as a Math student and an educator.

How do I ace at Math exams?

 

I have had many hardworking brilliant students really good in Math. Yet, some of them would scoring average grades. Facing exams require a certain level of pre-planning and proper execution; not only in Math but also for other subjects as well. Those brilliant students in particular lacked this element with regards to exams.  In this article I run you through a step by step guide about the secrets of exam tactics. These tactics worked really well for me back when I was a student facing exams.

 

Step 1: Self evaluation

Reflect back, understand what Math topics you do well and not so well. Rank them based on your strength and confidence in them. For example you may feel better at working with linear functions than with quadratic functions. You can list them out on a piece of paper or even just build a mind map. This type of self awareness is important for the next step.

 

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Step 2: Building an exam strategy

Before exam day, pre-decide on a tentative order in which you would start answering. Use your list from step 1 to plan to answer the easier questions first and move on to the more challenging ones. For example, say to yourself "I am really confident with linear functions, so I should really start by solving the linear functions problem no matter if it's the first question or the last question on the exam". That way you (a) could save time earlier on in the exam by racing through the easier ones first, (b) feel less stressed without being stuck in some problem that you are not good at, (c) start out with a friendly Math problem as a warmup for the rest of the exam. Now if time ran out, before you finished, you are only going to miss those hard questions, this way you'll be able to maximise your points.

 

Step 3: Properly executing your strategy

As soon as the exam starts, first thing; browse through all the questions. Identify and associate each question with the topics they are based on. Now go ahead and number them on the order you would like to answer them from step 2. Then start answering them in that order. Don't use much of your time for this; exam time is precious. The more you are familiar with the Math topics, the better you'll be in this step.

 

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Step 4: Don't hold-on too much

If you get really stuck in a certain question. Flag it and leave it. Move on to other questions. Holding on for too long may eat your time in vain. You can always move back to it, if you suddenly had a Eureka moment or if you have time remaining after completing the rest of the questions.

 

Step 5: Recheck your answers

After answering all the questions if you still have time remaining, don't just turn in the answers. Exam time is really valuable, it's limited. In the remaining time go through your answers, you may have some typos or serious errors, either of them may cost you points. If you have only limited time remaining, give more time on those answers you deem to be more vulnerable to errors.

 

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This is just a very very basic guide. You can adapt this to your own liking and refine it based on your situation. I am sure, as time goes you'll definitely become better experienced at planning and executing exam strategies.

 

Last but not least believe in yourself, be positive.  Good luck with your exams...!!