Learning Tools

Don't Ever Give Up

I guess many of you have completed your common test and have received your results. You must be happy or disappointed. Whichever the case is, PERSERVE ON! Like the 2 animals in the picture. Whoever can withstand the longer wins!

What can you do if you have not done well in your common test?

Reflect honestly.

Did you put in the effort in prepare for it? If yes, then what is the problem? You will know it better than anyone. If you do not have the answer, ask the people around you. Your parents, friends, classmates and teachers. They can probably share some observations and thoughts with you.

Take corrective measures.

Take action immediately to change for the better. Action can be a very simple one, like paying more attention during lesson or even completing your homework assignments. The important thing is get started!Never wait!

Pace yourself & observe the changes.

Constantly review the results you are getting for the effort you are putting into your work. If they are getting better, celebrate! Yes, you hear me right, celebrate by doing something you love! It can be 1 hour more computer playing time, a shopping trip over the weekend, catch a movie. This will work as you are happy and will continue to work even harder!

Conclusion: NEVER GIVE UP!

Share with us what you do if you did not do well in your common tests or exams so that history does not repeat itself!

A Goodie For You! Monthly Math Exam Papers Questions (With Answer Key Included)

Update (2011): Download of Maths Exam Papers is not available as of now.

Photo Credit:psd

In response to the poll conducted in Dec '08, we have launched our first value add service for 2009 to all your readers.

Free Monthly Math Exam Papers Questions & Answers

For those who want to receive Math Exam Paper Questions sent on a monthly basis, click here.

What you will expect:

4 sets of Math (Either Elementary Math or Additional Math) Exam Papers sent monthly with answer keys. (You can print it out and work on it)
Frequent updates on discussion of Math questions, Math tips & strategies which could be time-saving and reduce careless mistakes.

More consistent practice = more exposure = more marks!

For your information, almost 50 readers have subscribed for the free exam papers in a short 30 minutes.

PS: Did I mention you are getting all these exam papers with hundreds of questions for f*ree? :)

Who Else Wants To Know How She Tops O Levels 2008? (Note: There is no short cut)

From Strait Times

Congrats to all!

PS: Her secret for success is exactly what my other student uses to enjoy her exams.

Youtube helps students to do maths

I read with interest on this article (taken from Digital Life Singapore).

Nicole, the student mentioned that she can learn at her own pace anytime, anywhere. And if there are any concepts she wasn't clear, she was able to rewind and replay till she understood what they were all about.

With the advancement of technology, learning can be so accessible and it's all for free and most importantly, learning is only through medium which is likeable and popular with the students.

singaporeolevelmaths.com has been using videos for teaching tools as well and I am going to introduce more videos in 2009 as part of adding value to all our readers. So keep a lookout for these videos which will absolutely help you in your Mastery of your 'O' level Math. Here are some of the previous videos:

Click here for more videos

Announcement: SimpleChemConcepts.com - My Learning Partner

If you are a vivid (avid) reader of singaporeolevelmaths, you would have noticed that I do recommend some Chemistry programmes by SimpleChemConcepts.com 2 - 3 months back.

I am excited to announce that both singaporeolevelmaths and SimpleChemConcepts.com have come together under the same umbrella to continue unleashing potential of more students, coaching them to achieve what they truly deserve.

What is SimpleChemConcepts.com all about?

#1 Site for 'O' Level Chemistry Tips as seen on Google.com, Yahoo.com, Live.com, MSN.com

#1 Site for 'O' Level Chemistry Workshops as seen on Google.com, Yahoo.com

SimpleChemConcepts.com is a website learning portal for students, parents and educators to enhance their understanding and interest in Chemistry through the extensive sharing of tips, strategies, Chemistry everyday events. It makes uses of videos to bring across messages, making it every interactive for its readers.

SimpleChemConcepts.com has a over 6000 views per month, with readers mostly from Singapore, US, Australia, India, Pakistan.

Who is the founder of SimpleChemConcepts.com ?

“Sean is full of passion to relate abstract ChemistryTheories to his students in an enjoyable way, and shares from his heart” – Mrs Vina Yeow

Many people talked about teaching Chemistry, Sean Chua lives it. He is a passionate Chemistry Coach based in Singapore, Southeast-Asia and one of the most dynamic, powerful and humorous speakers in Asia. He has empowered hundreds of students to experience Chemistry learning with a difference, and unlock the secrets to achieve the grades they truly deserve.

Poll results: What is your Biggest Challenge in Learning Math?

(Click on image for larger view)

A poll on "What is your Biggest Challenging in Learning Math?" is created 6 months ago and I think it is time to review the poll results as shown in the pie chart (One of the E-Math topics syllabus) below:

Out of 142 votes, 41% cite their biggest challenge in learning math to be "No Time to Practice /Lazy to be consistent"

"Cannot see & cannot understand" , "too complicated & confusing concepts" received 21% of the votes respectively.

This poll results are very much inline with my experience as a Math Trainer. No time to practice / Lazy to be consistent is indeed a challenge faced by many students. In fact, Consistency (not said by me only, but also through the mouth of my students) is one of the keys to be successful in any subject or area of your life! The question now is how to be consistent, how to have time to practice.

Before I answer these questions, it is important that you got to understand the reason(s) for being consistent and scheduling time for practice. ( I'm not asking you to practice for hours to face those numbers questions, a mere 15 minutes daily is sufficiently recommended on top of your homework time that is)

Why is there a need to be consistent? I have been doing my school work already.

Give yourself a pat on your shoulder if you have been doing your school work diligently! You should be on your way to achieving what you deserve. But to further build up your confidence on Math, especially new concepts that you have been learning, a little extra effort goes a long way. As mentioned, it is not the quantity of time or questions that really matter. It is the quality. Schedule 15 minutes daily to work on and review on current topics or even previous topics will not only expose yourself to more questions but also build up your skill set. More importantly, you are cultivating a habit of consistency. Just like scoring is a habit, it can be and must be built up. It will not happen overnight.

"Extraordinary people are ordinary people who do extra more than the majority"

Advantages for being consistent

You can have time to do what you like during exam period and yet feel prepared for exams while the rest of the world is doing last minute work. Isn't it a good feeling? After all, you have been preparing bit by bit daily.
Consistent review and actions pay off handsomely for you when you do not allow doubts to pile up.
You feel good daily and great sense of achievement!

How to be consistent (even if you do not like Math) ?

Bit by bit daily; start small but keep up the momentum
Start now! Have a reminder system to remind yourself about your 15 minutes daily (Handphone alarm perhaps)
Reward yourself when you keep up with the habit
Have a chart to mark your consistency habit, something you can see daily.

Take actions now! And see for yourself how your consistency habit pays off!

Let me hear from you on how you tackle your challenge in learning Math. Leave your recommendations in the comment section below.

PS: My future post will be discussing about what should be done when you cannot see and understand Math. There is a really simple way which starts with A.