"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.
Ai Ling Ong
Hi, I'm Ai Ling Ong. I enjoy coaching students who have challenges with understanding and scoring in 'O' Level A-Maths and E-Maths. I develop Math strategies, sometimes ridiculous ideas to help students in understanding abstract concepts the fast and memorable way. I write this blog to share with you the stuff I teach in my class, the common mistakes my students made, the 'way' to think, analyze... If you have found this blog post useful, please share it with your friends. I will really appreciate it! :)
Don't eat chocolates before the exam! It will make you feel more drowsy instead!
My teacher says:
Under exam pressure, one usually finds that all the questions seem to be tough at first glance. Don't panic. Take a sip or two of water if u r allow to bring in drinking water. Take 3 deep breaths. Rub ur face and do a quick face exercise. This will help u to send more oxygen to ur brain, thus oso help release tension. U shld be more relax to think.
Hope this will help some of us if not all.
@Jia Lun: I would agree with you since high sugar content does indeed cause drowsiness.
@tckok: I like your method. Just to add on a little more, while you are drinking, lean away from your answer script, lest the water might slip from the mouth and mess up the written answers.
Thanks for contributions.
Believe in yourself.....
Take 3 deep breaths
Prepare all thing you think you will need it
The last day before the examination. You shold go somewhere to relax...
Scream...am..am... "I am gifted, I can do everything, I will make it become true"
Don't push yourself too hard, take a rest if you are really tired.
Sorry, my English still bad so I can not write correctly
Relax during the examination. Fear is only there to prevent your As. Self-confidence is very essential here. Believe in yourself. Also before O levels, try to apply what you learn in math as much as possible and remember the formulae using analogy and also by understanding them.