Mathematics is actually one of the subjects that have the most enemies, both at the school and university levels. That's why, most of the people have great worries before math exams arrive. Fortunately, there are many techniques that you can use to make your exam situation easier, some of which are reading the instructions on the questions well, writing down all the necessary formulas, reading all the questions carefully and carefully, and writing the answers neatly to make it easier to understand. be read. By doing so, surely doing math exams will no longer be as difficult as moving mountains! If you find difficulties, skip the difficult questions to work on later. To complete your preparation, don't forget to actively participate in class, do all the assignments given, and review your work regularly. Although it requires effort and practice that is not simple, believe that armed with the right strategy, surely all forms of exams can be passed easily!
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Method 1 of 3: Taking Exams Effectively
Step 1. Bring all necessary equipment into the exam room
While most exams only require a pen or pencil, math exams generally require other tools such as a calculator, ruler, compass, etc. Don't let that you don't bring any specific tools you might need!
Step 2. Read all the instructions listed before starting to take the exam
Most likely, the teacher or the question-making team will include some specific problem-solving instructions that you must obey. Read and follow all the instructions to get the maximum score!
Don't let you lose some value just by ignoring or skipping the instructions listed! For example, your teacher may instruct you to circle all final answers with a pen. If these instructions are skipped or not read, your score will likely be deducted
Step 3. Write down all the required formulas before starting to take the exam
Most math exams require students to memorize various types of formulas to solve various problems that have different characteristics. Even though you have studied the material to the maximum, you may still forget the formula that you have memorized on the day of the exam because you are nervous. Prevent this possibility by writing down all the formulas that seem necessary before starting the exam. After that, the list can be used as a reference whenever there is a formula that you forget.
- In short, also write down the mathematical situation that is relevant to each formula. For example, instead of simply writing "Pythagorean Formula: a2 + b2 = c2," add a short description like "Find the sides of a triangle" to understand how it applies to the problem.
- If there is no space to write down extra answers, try asking the teacher for permission to use a blank sheet of paper. Don't forget to point out that the paper really doesn't have anything written on it. After that, write down all the formulas you know on the paper to be used as reference material.
Step 4. Watch out for stories
Story problems are generally more difficult because they do not always indicate an explicit intent. Moreover, not all questions are arranged in neat and coherent sentences. Therefore, spend more time identifying the meaning of the question. The trick, read each word listed slowly and underline the words that can guide you to find the right arithmetic operation.
- Convert certain words into mathematical concepts to clarify their meaning. For example, if the sentence written in the problem reads, “Johnny has 5 apples and Sarah has 3 times as many apples. How many apples does Sarah have?”, write the answer in mathematical format, which is 5 x 3 to make it easier for you to understand.
- If you find a problem difficult, try breaking it down into smaller components. Cross out the words that are not important, then translate the remaining words into mathematical concepts. For example, the word "sum" generally relates to the arithmetic operation of addition, while the word "per" usually relates to the arithmetic division operation. Pay more attention to words that you can turn into mathematical concepts.
Step 5. Write down all the answers you can find if the teacher is willing to give marks for incomplete answers
In fact, some teachers are willing to give partial marks for the correct answer formula and flow, even if the answer is ultimately wrong. Therefore, get as many points as possible by writing down all the answers you can find. Even though the final answer is not quite right, at least you will still get a value for the question.
- For example, you may know the formula a2 + b2 = c2 to solve problems related to the Pythagorean theory. Write down the formula first without entering any numbers into it. After that, enter one by one the numbers you know into the appropriate place. By doing so, the teacher will know that even if your answer is wrong, at least the workflow is correct. As a result, some value can be given by him.
- Including as many answers as possible can also help you even if your teacher isn't willing to give you a partial grade. At the very least, errors will be easier to find in a neat and coherent answer.
- When stuck in a question, reread your answer. Then, try to identify whether or not the formula listed is correct.
Step 6. Skip the problems you can't do to solve later
Most likely, you will always come across a problem that is difficult to solve. If that's the case, feel free to ignore it for a while. In other words, take the time to solve the easier questions first. If you have time left, go back to the difficult problem and try to solve it.
- If there are 20 questions while the available exam time is only 40 minutes, it means that you only have 2 minutes to work on each question. If a minute has passed and you're still stuck on the same question, skip it. Be careful, you can run out of time on just that one question!
- Therefore, read all the questions and do the easy questions first. After that, you can use the remaining time to focus on more difficult questions.
Step 7. Make sure all answers have the correct value and units
Some math problems require you to include the correct units at the end of each answer such as km/hour, kg, etc. If you come across a question that uses such units, don't forget to include it at the end of each of your final answers.
Be careful with positive and negative numbers. If a number should be given a negative sign but you forget to include it, of course the answer will be blamed by the teacher
Step 8. Take the remaining free time to double-check your answers
If you manage to complete all the questions before the exam time ends, take the extra time to double-check all your answers. Also, re-read all of the question instructions to make sure no rules are missed. In each question, make sure you have worked as hard as possible and gave the right answer. If there are difficult questions, try to do them again to confirm the correctness of the answers you have listed.
Remember, math equations always work in two different ways. Therefore, you can reverse the arithmetic operation to check the correctness of the answers listed. For example, if you are asked to find the value of X in the equation 8x = 40 and give the answer "X = 5", try multiplying the numbers 8 and 5. If the result is 40, then your answer is correct. If you answered the question with the number 6, try multiplying the numbers 6 and 8. Since the result is 48 instead of 40, it means that your answer is not correct
Method 2 of 3: Doing Difficult Problems
Step 1. Use relaxation techniques when dealing with difficult or confusing questions
Stuck in one problem, of course, will make you stressed. However, don't let the situation ruin the whole exam! Remember, stress can prevent the brain from working as it should. To overcome this, you need to learn to calm yourself when faced with a stressful situation. Once your body and mind are relaxed, read the question again with a clearer mind. Who knows you might actually know the answer!
- Breathe deeply to normalize your heart rate and calm your anxiety.
- Close your eyes and focus on relaxing each muscle group if you feel tense.
- Do arm stretches to get your blood circulation back.
Step 2. Identify the meaning of the question
Problems that are difficult to solve can never be solved if you don't understand what they mean. Therefore, stop everything that is done to identify the problem and think about its meaning. Is it about speed? Is it a geometric question? If so, what form appears in the problem? Ask these questions to identify the right solution.
- If you find a problem in the form of an array of numbers, think of the right formula to solve it. Reread the summary of the formulas that you have noted and look for the formulas that are most relevant to the problem.
- If you find a story problem, try breaking it down into components. Cross out the words that are not important, then look for words that indicate the formula you should use. For example, the command word "sum" is generally attached to the arithmetic addition operation.
Step 3. Eliminate the answer choices that you think are wrong
The process of eliminating answer choices will really help you to escape the trap of multiple choice questions. To do so, you just need to look at all the available options and cross out the ones that seem to be wrong. Choose the last remaining option to be your final answer!
- There are several ways that can be done to detect answers that seem wrong. For example, if your calculation results are closer to the three options but far from the fourth option, get rid of that option.
- If you can narrow the answer choices to 2, go back to counting. If the answer you find is closer to one of the options, don't hesitate to choose it.
Step 4. Try to guess if you have trouble finding the right answer
Sometimes, you really get stuck in a problem and can't solve it. If such a situation occurs, there is no need to lament fate! Remember, you are only stuck on one question and if other questions can be done well, surely you will still be fine. Try your best to guess the answer that seems right. Who knows you might be lucky enough to pick the right answer, right?
- To answer multiple choice questions, choose the answer that is closest to you!
- If the question is not multiple choice, write down whatever answers you find. After all, maybe that answer is right, right?
Step 5. List your answer as is if it doesn't solve one problem
If you're completely lost and can't even guess the answer to a question, don't delete all the answers that you have written! Remember, most teachers are willing to give marks for answers that are not optimal.
Method 3 of 3: Preparing for the Exam
Step 1. Pay attention to the teacher's explanation in the class
Remember, exam preparation should ideally be done long before the exam day arrives. By giving maximum attention during class, indirectly you can better understand the material that will be tested. Therefore, come on time to class, prepare a pen and notebook, and be prepared to pay attention to the material being taught.
- Participate in class discussions and ask questions if there is something you don't understand.
- Take notes so that you have complete material to study. Also read these notes periodically before the exam.
- Get rid of distractions in class. Don't play on your phone or chat with your classmates!
Step 2. Do your academic work
Who the heck, who likes to do work? Even though it's annoying, it's actually important to practice your math skills ahead of the exam, especially since it takes a lot of practice to understand dozens of different formulas. For that, do all the assignments given so that you can better prepare for the exam.
- Stay relaxed, but don't be too relaxed. For example, try doing an assignment in bed before taking a nap.
- Eliminate all distractions! Turn off the television, then sit in a quiet room to do your homework.
- If you encounter a difficult question, ask the teacher for an explanation the next day. Remember, these questions may appear on the exam!
Step 3. Study a few days before the exam
Don't study all the material the night before the test! Instead, as soon as the exam date is announced, start preparing. Install the material that will be tested every day so you don't have to worry about having to study everything just before the exam.
- Focus on the practice questions you didn't do right. Try to evaluate where you went wrong and what you can do to fix it.
- Take advantage of teacher reviews or the preparatory materials they provide to help you. If there is material that they think will come out during the exam, make sure you study it well.
Step 4. See a teacher if you feel you need extra help ahead of an exam
Even though you have studied and listened to the teacher's explanation in class well, chances are there are still things that you don't really understand. If that's the case, don't hesitate to contact or see the teacher for further clarification on the material.
- Prepare a list of materials that you want to discuss with the teacher because chances are, they will ask, "What part did you not understand?" Try to answer the question specifically instead of simply saying, “Everyone!”
- Ask them to help you study the day before the exam. In other words, don't discuss the material on exam day so you have enough time to study.
Tips
- Write the answer as neatly as possible. That way, both you and the teacher can read and understand the answer better.
- Study in groups if you have difficulty and/or confusion with the material being tested.
- Start studying as soon as the exam date is announced. That way, you don't have to study in a hurry and can prepare better.
Warning
- Do not apply the SKS (Overnight Speeding System) to study the material. Believe me, it is not easy to get all the material into the brain in just one night. In addition, you will feel burdened and cannot maximize your performance during the exam.
- Don't chat with anyone during the exam. Be careful, your teacher could interpret it as cheating behavior!
