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2015 GCE O-Level Elementary Maths 4016 Paper 1 (Post Mortem not Solutions)

I have just completed the 2015 GCE O-Level Elementary Maths 4016 Paper 1 and found it to be more applications based.

Some questions are indirect and required more analysis. Some of the questions I enjoyed doing were:

Mode, median and mean
Mean and standard deviation
HCF and LCM
Coordinate geometry linked to vectors
Matrix

Once again, just like last year, there are about 2-3 questions which are 5 marks. (If I remembered correctly)

Based on what were tested, we are logically make some guesses of what we are expecting in Paper 2. The following topics are what I'm suggesting and they are for reference only:

Indices
Proportion
Quadratic equations & graphs (Skill: completing the square)
General shapes of graphs
Everyday Maths (Compound interest, simple interest, hire purchase, exchange rate, taxation, utilities, profit and loss)
Proving of congruency and similarity
Angle & symmetry properties of circles
Trigonometry (sin rule, trigo ratio of obtuse angle, angle of elevation or depression, shortest distance, area of triangle formula)
Vectors
Cumulative frequency (includes frequency table), box & whisker, stem & leaf, dot diagram (Concept on lower quartile, upper quartile)
Kinematics
Mensuration

Regardless of how you think you have fared for Paper 1, continue to work hard for Paper 2 which is 2 days away. Practice daily!

All the best!

2014 GCE O-Level Elementary Maths 4016 Paper 1 (Post Mortem)

After completing this year O-Level E-Maths Paper 1, I personally find that the difficulty level has increased compared to the last 3 years.

I was slightly shocked to see question 1 as a arrangement question.Quite a handful of students commented that there are questions which aren't even Maths questions.

One of the questions is "Questionnaire on how much time does student spoil on Internet". It was probably what the question is asking for which brought some surprises to the candidates.
I found the cuboid, cube and the equal area of rectangles questions well crafted.
The train leaving tunnel was sneaky. It reminded me of PSLE Math.
I like the number pattern question as it has a twist to it. Instead of listing down the first few terms, they skipped some terms. It was very refreshing.
One of the observations I have: 2014 Paper 1 has a few questions which are 3-5 marks for a single part. It seems to deviate from the usual short questions of 1 to 3 marks in the past few years.

Based on what were tested, we are logically make some guesses of what we are expecting in Paper 2. The following topics are what I'm suggesting and they are for reference only:

Standard form
Scales & Maps
Factorisation
Solving simultaneous equations
Solving fractional equations
Inequality
Subject formula
General shapes of graphs
Functions & Graphs
Quadratic equations & Graphs
Distance, speed and acceleration graphs
Construction of bisectors
Congruent & Similar Figures
Angle & Symmetry Properties of circles
Arc length, area of sector and radian measure
Pythagoras’ theorem and Trigonometry
Mensuration
Coordinate Geometry
Mean & SD
Cumulative frequency
Vectors (ratio of areas, magnitude, linked to coordinate geometry)

Regardless of how you think you have fared for Paper 1, continue to work hard for Paper 2 which is 9 days away. Practice daily!

All the best!

Edit: My view on O-Level exam answers as reported in 4 November 2013 TODAY papers.

Source: http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/exam-answer-fever-heats-web

Elementary & Additional Maths Revision Workshops for Sec 3 (Plus 2012 Weekly Coaching Class)

I was in Popular bookstore to get some stationery a few days ago and it suddenly dawned on me a brand new year is coming soon.

I saw the stacks of textbooks for Primary school to Secondary school piling up in the store.

It's always an exciting transition period for many students, starting their year in a new environment with new friends, teachers and more responsibilities.

There are also another group of students who will be preparing their major examinations like PSLE and GCE O-Level and GCE A-Level.

During this school holiday, to help students who haven't fully grasped their Secondary 3 concepts in Elementary & Additional Mathematics. I'm conducting 3 revision workshops:

E-Maths Circles (angle properties, arc length, area of sector, cone & sector): 21 Nov 2011, 9am - 1pm
E-Maths Trigonometry (Trigonometrical ratio, sin rule, cosine rule, area of triangle, angle of depression & elevation, problem solving, 3D problems): 22 Nov 2011, 9am - 1pm
A-Maths Trigonometry (Simplification I & II, Graphs, Proving Identity I & II, Trigonometry Equations I & II, R-formula): 7 - 9 Dec 2011, 2pm - 6pm

All these workshops are suitable for Secondary 3 Maths students this year and it involves teaching and hands-on practice in a step-by-step manner, structured to increase your understanding and confidence upon completion.

To register, click on this website: http://www.WinnersEducation.com/nov-dec-workshops/

Our 2012 Weekly O-Level Maths Tuition Class is open for registration too! More details (schedule, fees, registration) here: http://www.WinnersEducation.com/register-o-level/

I look forward in making a difference in your child's Maths performance!

Sec 2 to Sec 3: How To Prepare Yourself For Elementary Math

I have earlier written an article on Sec 2 to Sec 3: How To Prepare Yourself For Additional Math

For those who aren't taking additional math, how can you prep yourself this holiday? (Note: I ain't telling you to burn your holidays mugging. Nope! But I mean to say have some work time and play time!)

I remember I was given quite a bit of holiday assignments during Nov/Dec holidays. Read in Facebook comments, this is still the ongoing trend in schools. Finish those work fast (No motivation? Get friends to complete the work together )and you can play for the rest of the days! Do not be like majority of the folks who wait till the end of the holidays, only to realize school is starting in a few days time that they start knowing that homework is due.

What I personally suggest for prep for Sec 3 Elementary Math is to ensure that your Sec 1&2 foundation topics are built upon on solid ground (These topics are tested in 'O' levels and every often schools do not have the time to revise thoroughly during term time)

Some of the foundation topics are listed below:

Making subject formula
Algebraic expansion rules
Algebraic factorization
Properties of Angles
Mensuration (New syllabus e-math has formula provided in exams)
Similarity & Congruency
Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode)
Equation of lines

These topics involve some fundamental applications which will be revisited again in Upper Sec.

Some of the Major Sec 3 Topics you would be expecting include:

Indices (*new)
Quadratic Equations (*new+very important)
Congruency and Similarity (*revision+application)
Graphs (*new+add on from Sec 1/2)
Properties of Circle(*new)
Trigonometry (*new+very important+high weightage in E-Math & A-Math)
Co-ordinate Geometry (requires basics from Equations of lines from Sec 2)
Arc Length & Sector Areas (used to be A-Math topic but included in E-Math now)
Quartiles & Percentiles (Statistics)
Matrices (*new)

(Those highlighted ones are the topics which are heavily weighted and you must pay more attention in following through. They are also fundamentals you would need in A-Math as well)

You may want to familizarize yourself with the 'O' level E-Math formula provided but in school tests and exams, some schools choose not to provide.

(Click on image for larger view or you may even want to print out a copy and stick on your desk for easy reference)

What You Need To Know To Do Well In Plane Geometry - Part 1

Plane Geometry is the new topic added in the new syllabus. There are hardly any calculations but lots of proving to be done.
We know students dislike proving, be it in Plane Geometry, Trigonometry, Quadratic Equations, Differentiation . . .

To score As in your exam, you must be good in proving.

Plane Geometry has proven to be a challenging topic for many students due to the nature of the diagrams, questions. Many a times, students do not know when to begin, not to mention which theorems to apply. I am going to share with you in this post on the key concepts you need to know at your fingertips for Plane Geometry.

There are 2 basic shapes in Plane Geometry: Triangle & Circle

In Triangle,

You must know the different Congruency Tests & Similarity Tests. These are extremely important in proving plane geometry questions. Teachers did not emphasize on this as students are expected to know these concepts well from E-Math. But I realize many many students did not like Congruency & Similarity as it involves proving (which is a very systematic approach of thinking) and hence many did not understand these 2 concepts well.
Mid point theorem (This is not exactly your mid point formulae in Co-ordinate Geometry)

D and E are the midpoints of AC and AB respectively.

Intercept theorem

When DE//CB, AD/DC = AE/EB

I will be adding on specific properties for circle in my next post. If you like to be updated, subscribe to my feed by clicking HERE