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Simple Tips for Better Maths Results!

examination tips

2 Weeks away from 'O' level: Should I Be Doing Ten Year Series or School Prelims Papers?

I have been asked this question so much recently that I think it will benefit more students by writing a post here.

"Should I Be Doing Ten Year Series or School Prelims Papers? "

My personal recommendation is that

  • If you are generally good in a certain topic, then work on the school prelim papers (most schools pump students with piles and piles). By doing so, you are gaining exposure to more variety of questions.
  • However, if you are still weak in certain topics, please go to your Ten Year Series to build up your foundation and master the basics first.

You know as well as I do that most school prelim papers are pitched at a standard which is higher than 'O' levels and this is the main reason for me suggesting prelim papers for exposure not fundamentals building.

Note: As 4016 (E-Math) & 4038 (A-Math) are relatively new (only available last year 2008), some topics in the Ten Years Series are lacking on questions. These are the newly introduced topics:

A-Math

  1. Inverse Matrix
  2. Sum & Product of Roots
  3. Partial Fractions
  4. Curves & Circles
  5. Plane Geometry (also known as Geometrical Proof)
  6. Further Trigonometric Identities (Addition, Double Angle, Factor & R - Formula)
  7. Integration involving partial fractions, trigonometry involving double angle

E-Math

  1. Matrix word problems and basic operations
  2. Set language and notation
  3. Statistics involving dot diagrams, stem and leaf, box and whisker, calculation of mean and standard deviation
  4. Applications of mathematics in practical situations (hire purchase, compound interest, money exchange, profit/loss, taxation)

I would suggest you use school prelim questions as a form of practice for the above topics.

I would love to hear from you on how you are preparing for the upcoming 'O' level Mathematics papers. Leave your comments below.

Recommended :How To Prepare for GCE ‘O’ Level 2009 Mathematics Papers (3 Simple Actions To Take)

How To Prepare for GCE 'O' Level 2009 Mathematics Papers (3 Simple Actions To Take)

"By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail." Benjamin Fanklin

(Photo Credit:Sonietta46)

With next month this day being the start of Elementary Mathematics Paper, I would like to take this chance to share with you on how you can prepare for this year 2009 Mathematics Papers.

The first thing you should be aware would be this year 'O' Level Mathematics Papers, be it Additional or Elementary Mathematics are all in the afternoons, 230pm to be precise and consecutively over 4 days.

  • 27 Oct : E-Math Paper 1
  • 28 Oct:  E-Math Paper 2
  • 29 Oct:  A-Math Paper 1
  • 30 Oct:  A-Math Paper 2

In my opinion, afternoons are usually not the time to crack your head doing Math sums, moreover it's like a few hours after lunch. 'zzz' monster is usually in action then. So how can O level candidates like yourself turn this not so ideal timing into your advantage?

Start Practicing your Math in Noon

I suggested this method to all my students. By doing this, you will understand how you feel during the afternoon period. You are more aware of your body reactions and how your brain is functioning. This will give you time to adjust to the environment and your state of mind. This will get yourself familiar to doing Math under examination conditions. By the time, you are doing your 'O' levels, it would just be part of your daily routine. Isn't this similar to how runners train themselves for races by familiarizing themselves with their route and changing their techniques to achieve peak performance on the actual race day?

Start Eating Light Lunch

One of the major problems with taking examinations in the afternoon other than the hot weather is perhaps the fatigue experienced after lunch. To fight this, I would think taking a light lunch would be useful. I ain't any expert in nutrition but I would suggest taking less sugar content food and drinks (Soft drink is perhaps a no-no but if you can't resist the temptation, just reduce the usual consumption).

Have Enough Sleep

Having sufficient sleep is important for any tasks you are doing. More so for such important examinations!I would recommend an average of 6 - 8 hours of sleep. Never burn midnight oil! Having sufficient hours of sleep will ensure a more alert and clearer mind which will allow you to focus on your papers.

I hope these 3 tips are useful for you. If you have started having these routines, congrats and keep it up. If you don't, there's still time for you to start picking up these habits.

Do you have any other examination preparation tips to share? Leave a comment below.