singaporeolevelmaths

Simple Tips for Better Maths Results!

Exam Matters

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.

A-Math: Differentiation & Integration Application : Examples of Typical Kinematics Questions


I was looking through 2008 GCE O Level Additional Mathematics Exam Papers (Subject Code: 4038) and as expected, there was a Kinematics question (worth 6 marks) in Paper 1.

Kinematics is a application topic for Differentiation and Integration. To master this topic, you do not necessarily need to bring in your physics knowledge though it could be useful at times.

Instead, how I get my students to be a master in this topic is to be familiarize with a KINEMATICS VOCABULARY LIST.

Here's some of the vocabulary words that are useful and common:

  • Momentarily at rest, instantaneously at rest, changes direction of motion, stationary
  • Initial displacement, initial velocity, initial acceleration
  • Greatest displacement, greatest velocity, greatest acceleration
  • Distance travelled in the 4th second VS Distance travelled in the first 4 seconds
  • Maximum distance from Point O
  • Particle returns to Point O
  • Constant Velocity

I would say for Kinematics, it is one of the few topics in A-Math which uses extensive vocabulary. This is also the reason for you to decipher the meaning behind these words.

So do you know the meaning behind these words? I would love to hear about it in the comments section.

I have also taken a few questions from my A-Math TREQ book (Topical Real Exam Questions) to illustrate some common exam questions on Kinematics, further highlighting the importance of knowing your Kinematics well. (Click on the image for bigger view)

Click on image for a larger view

I would be sharing the step by step solutions for Question 8 in the next post. Subscribe to my blog to be updated again!

O level E-Math, A-Math & Chemistry June Intensive Revision Programme Early Bird Registration Extended!


O level E-Math, A-Math & Chemistry June Intensive Revision Programme Early Bird Registration Extended!

We thank all parents and students for the overwhelming response for our O level June Holidays Intensive Revision Programme. We hear you and understand that many schools have yet to give their students the holidays schedule. As such, we have decided to extend our early bird registration to 1st June 09, 11.59pm (Singapore time) so that more students can benefit and be prepared for their O levels this holidays.

Here's the scope of programme for A-Math & E-Math:
(You may sign up on a workshop basis, example, you can choose A2 and E3)

A-MATH (SUBJ CODE: 4038) E-MATH (SUBJ CODE: 4016)
A1 *LOGARITHMS & LINEAR LAW E1 TRIGONOMETRY (E-MATH)
A2 TRIGONOMETRY (A-MATH) E2 GRAPHS MASTERY
(Inclusive of Quadratic Graphs, Distance, Speed Time Graphs, Graphs of Power Functions, Gradient of Curves)
A3 *QUADRATIC EQNS & APPLICATIONS E3 VECTORS MASTERY
A4 DIFFERENTIATION & INTEGRATION E4 STATISTICS & PROBABILITY(Inclusive of Cumulative frequency, box-whisker, stem-leaf, dot diagram, calculation of mean, mode, median, standard deviation, probability tree diagram)

Here's the scope of programme for Chemistry:

C1.*ATOMIC STRUCTURE & BONDING
C2.*ACIDS, BASES
C3.*SALTS & QA
C4.PERIODIC TABLE & METALS
C5.RATE OF RXN & ENERGY CHANGES
C6.REDOX & ELECTROLYSIS
C7.MOLE CONCEPTS & CHEMICAL CALCULATIONS

To have the schedule of these workshops, click here.

Reigster early and enjoy $325 worth of bonuses + savings!
Act fast as some workshops are almost full!

To register, please call 9685 7675 or 9828 7357 [Read more...] about O level E-Math, A-Math & Chemistry June Intensive Revision Programme Early Bird Registration Extended!

Your Questions on O level A/E-Math & Chemistry June Intensive Revision Programme Answered


We thank you for the many email questions regarding our O level A/E-Math & Chemistry June Intensive Revision Programme.

In this video, I have personally answered the following commonly asked questions by students (Secondary 3 & 4 + IP + IGCSE Programme) & parents:

  • Scope of programme
  • Benefits of attending our programme
  • Fees
  • Proven track record (on the effectiveness of our coaching)

If you can't view this video, please click here to the direct video link:

Leave me a comment below or any other questions you have.

I look forward in making a difference in your child's academic success!