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scorers mindset

How Do You "Study" For Math?


With 'O' level just right in the face, I just received an email asking me how to study for Math.

In fact, when you do a search on this site, you would have noticed I have written a few posts on "studying" for Math. Here are some of the posts I have done:

  • How to prepare for Math Common Test
  • This “C” word, the secret weapon that allows this student to enjoy exams.
  • Kept getting F9s for all A-Math exams

This time, instead of providing an answer to this question, I will be interested to know how you study for Math. Go ahead and leave your studying skills in the comment section.

I look forward to your reply.

Filed Under: Learning Tools, scorers mindset Tagged With: effective learning method, experiential learning, how ot study for math

To Drop Or To Persevere On, Read the "Don't Quit" Poem


With the release of mid year exams, there are often only 2 scenarios : students are happy, students are unhappy.

I certainly want more happy students then unhappy but sometimes things are just reverse of what we want them.

Some schools might be using the mid year as a gauge to determine if students are able to handle the workload especially the graduating classes. From a school point of view, I understand where they are coming from.

Instead of focusing your energy on the many subjects you have on hand, why not drop the subject(s) which you have seemed to under-perform? Schools have their concern for their students. There is no right or wrong here. But before you decide to Drop or Perserve on with the subject(s), I have a major factor for you to consider:

Have you put in 100% effort and commitment for the subject(s)?

Many a times, examinations might not be reflecting the true potential of the students' capability. Unsatisfactory results could be due to so many many excuses! like "insufficient preparation as there wasn't enough time" (most often heard of excuse), "totally lack of interest in the subject", "teachers didn't teach well" (totally unjustifiable!), "cannot understand lots of things" (Why wait till eve of exams to realize that?), "totally unlucky"(hello! luck is 0.0001% in exams), "the papers are so tough"...

Are you truly not able to do satisfactorily for your subject or are you burdened by your own many excuses?

I have been in some of your shoes before. I have done badly for my subjects, really bad. But I was glad that I was NOT given the option to choose. I had only 1 route to take - Perserve On to ensure that I complete what I start on. This is the poem on a card my friend sent me when my road was uphill. This poem inspires me, I hope it makes a difference for you too.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road your trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and its turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When they might have won, had they stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victors cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when your hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit!

winding-road.png

Photo by Monica's Dad

Filed Under: scorers mindset

How To Do Well In Learning - Answer in a Chinese Proverb


"Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand" - Chinese Proverb

The secret in the mastery of ANY subject is for Understand + Involve.

It is called experiential learning :-)

Filed Under: Learning Tools, scorers mindset Tagged With: experiential learning, learning quotes, scorers mindset, scoring strategies

Linear Law,Just 1 Strategy Makes A Grade Difference


What is Linear Law?

It is a tool which will allow you to transform non-straight line equation to straight line equation so that you can plot a straight line. Most of the time, the axis will consist of x and/or y

One of the techniques involving taking lg (log base 10) on both sides of the given equation.

linearlawquestion1.PNG

Common Mistake! STOP
y=Ax^b=>lgy=blgAx=>blgA+blgx

This is one of the common mistakes I have highlighted in Top 7 Commonly Made Mistakes in Logarithm

How To Counter This Mistake

Very simple. Just add in a bracket on the right hand side of the equation.
y=(Ax^b)<br>  =>lgy=lg(Ax^b)<br>  => lgy=lgA+lgx^b<br>  => lgy=lgA+blgx<br>

Now, your y-axis will be lg y and x-axis will be lg x. Gradient = b and y-intercept = lg A

Filed Under: A-Maths Tuition, scorers mindset, Weekly Question Tagged With: Exam Questions, logarithm equations, straight line graphs

How To Create Math PowerNotes For Revision of Tests & Exams


I was looking at some of the ways readers found this website and one of the search terms was f*ree gce o level math notes and exam questions.

Well, personally during my school life, I was "spoonfed" with lots of notes! Gosh, I wonder how many trees we have to sacrifice for this. Of all those notes, the irony is that I realize those which I have added on my "personal touch" in terms of my own sidenotes, post-it-notes, tea-stains and perhaps sometimes, the faint residue of saliva mark LOL....these are the notes which have proven to be very effective in helping me to learn well and score in exams.

Now, my point is that ALL students should have your own set of notes. Something that is unique to yourself only and not just notes you get from your teachers, tutors, guidebooks etc... I am not saying that these notes are not good, in fact many have excellent content and structure but as each of us is unique in your own learning styles and patterns. I strongly encourage and urge you to make your own PowerNotes.

Making notes is really simple. For me in the subject of Maths, I use lots of diagrams and short abbreviations to help me to understand the abstracts. Here are 6 Simple Tips for you to make Effective PowerNotes :

  1. Use Colors, 3 colors are good. Too many colors are distracting.
  2. Write in point forms to allow easy understanding.
  3. Keep it to a A4 page for each topic
  4. Write it out yourself.
  5. Continously update with new realization :)
  6. Use it for revision of tests & exams!!!

Enjoy your PowerNotes!

Filed Under: Learning Tools, scorers mindset Tagged With: effective learning method, notes taking, scorers mindset, scoring strategies

How to prepare for Maths common test


Hi everyone,

The Chinese New Year is just over. Certainly hope you have received lots of gifts, plenty of blessings, many ang paos...

Well, I am certain amdist all these festive moods, many of you or perhaps just some are in fact using this holiday period to mug for your upcoming common tests, aren't you?

Today, I am going to share with you guys some tips on preparing for your Maths Common Test, Exams or Quizzes.

[Read more...] about How to prepare for Maths common test

Filed Under: Exam Matters, Learning Tools, scorers mindset Tagged With: effective learning method, forming habits, scorers mindset, scoring strategies, Tips

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