school prelim 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

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

E-Math

Matrix word problems and basic operations
Set language and notation
Statistics involving dot diagrams, stem and leaf, box and whisker, calculation of mean and standard deviation
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.