Step 1: The Study plan

  • Okay, so the first and most important step when you start studying for any major test or exam is having a plan! This study plan will allow you to efficiently manage your time so that you cover everything you need to before the big day.

  • A study calendar gives you a great big picture of what you need to cover; sometimes all the content you have to learn can be overwhelming. So, break it down into smaller pieces.

  • Word has a great template for a calendar for any month; find something that works for you. Remember, this plan is for you; make sure you can truly follow it! Colour code it if you need to, put in those study breaks and print it so that you can see it everyday and tick off the things you have completed.

  • The important things:

  • Study breaks are VERY important. I find the best study sessions follow the 45/15 minute rule: put in a solid 45min of studying and reward yourself with 15min of doing whatever you truly enjoy.

  • Remember that your brain can only handle so much work at one time! So with a study plan, you don’t want to overwhelm yourself with a tonne of work you have to cover. Split your study sessions into doable chunks; e.g. tell yourself that you will do 3 hours of studying throughout the day and make the best of it.

Step 2: Study notes

  • Study notes for mathematics? Sounds silly I know, but these notes will be your friends. Use these notes to write keycards/mind-maps of mathematical concepts that might be difficult to remember.

  • Use bullet points to remember the rules for certain calculations.

  • You can use key-cards to remember formulas.

  • You can use mind-maps to understand steps for calculations.

  • If you find there are certain concepts that are very difficult for you to remember or understand, use these notes to remind yourself when you are doing practice questions.

  • These summaries will also help you identify topics you might be struggling with so that you can ask your teacher or tutor for help.

Step 3: Practise makes perfect

  • This is one of the most important steps in studying for your maths test or exam. Practise really does make perfect.
  • Get some past questions and exercises that you did in class and try them at home. Remember to get the memo for all the calculations so that you can see that you are doing them correctly.
  • A lot of websites exist where you can access a whole lot of past exam papers for you to practise. I would say that you should give yourself at least two full study days for you to do these past papers.
  • Remember; this is supposed to help you identify areas that you need to work more on. So make sure to look at these sections you struggle with and do more practise with these specific content areas.

NB: ON THE DAY

  1. Eat some breakfast. Your brain can’t function on an empty stomach.
  2. Make sure that you have everything you need packed and ready; minimize your stressors!
  3. Writing the paper; if you are uncertain about one question, move onto the next. Don’t be discouraged! Go back and try the question again.
  4. Remember to BREATHE. You have done amazing things up till now, this is simply another step forward.

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