Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preparing for the Math Exam in Advance
• Method 2 of 3: Preparing for the Math Exam in One Day
• Method 3 of 3: Taking the Right Exam
• Tips

The upcoming math exam can be intimidating, especially if you're not very good at the subject. However, prior preparation and choosing the right strategy will help you pass the exam successfully. It is best to start preparing for the exam in advance, at least a few days or even weeks in advance. However, there are some things you can do if you only have one day to prepare. If you are running out of time, focus on what you already know and use some tricks to get the highest possible grade.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preparing for the Math Exam in Advance

1. 1 Do your homework. Your math teacher will likely provide homework on a regular basis to help you prepare for your exams. Always do your homework, even if it is optional or not rated. This additional work will help you better understand the material you are studying and prepare for exams.
   • Solve additional tasks if you are having difficulty with any material. For example, if the teacher assigned all the even-numbered tasks at the end of the chapter, complete not only them, but also the odd-numbered tasks.
   • At the end of textbooks, answers to problems are often given. In this case, you can check if you solved the problems correctly.
   • When doing your homework, write down the formula you need for each task. This will make it easier for you to remember the formulas that will come in handy on the exam.
2. 2 Review your notes and pay special attention to the material that will be covered in the exam. A good outline will be of great help in preparing for the exam. Try to read the notes on the same day you wrote them to reinforce what you learned in class.
   • For example, you can view your notes immediately after class, before completing homework, or at any other time allotted for study.
3. 3 Read the relevant sections of the textbook to properly assimilate the material. While you may not like reading math textbooks very much, it is a great way to make sure you understand what your teacher is explaining in class. Carefully read the sections given by the teacher, and then ask him questions if you do not understand anything.
   • As you read, mark or underline important passages so that you can find them more easily.
   • Bookmark key pages so you can find them quickly.
4. 4 Make flash cardsto learn important concepts and formulas. These are small cards with information on both sides. Flash cards will help you memorize math formulas, key definitions and concepts. On one side of the card, write a formula, definition, or concept, and on the other, provide an explanation or example.
   • For example, if you want to memorize a formula for solving a quadratic equation, you can write it down on one side of a card and explain how to use it and give an example on the other.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Grace Imson, MA

   
   
   Mathematics teacher Grace Emson is a mathematics teacher with over 40 years of experience. She currently teaches mathematics at City College of San Francisco and previously worked in the Department of Mathematics at St. Louis University. Taught math at elementary, middle, high school and college levels. He holds a Master's Degree in Pedagogy with a specialization in Leadership and Supervision from the University of St. Louis.

   Grace Imson, MA
   Math teacher

   Make sure you have a solid grasp of the basics of math. To pass any math exam, you need to know the basics, especially multiplication. Even if the exam is about reducing fractions, you will need a solid knowledge of the multiplication table.

5. 5 If you don't understand something, ask your teacher or instructor questions. When you study math, there is bound to be something that you won’t understand the first time around, and in this case, it’s best to get help right away. Discuss with your math teacher or teacher what you didn’t understand. They will be able to explain the relevant material to you in more detail, and you will better assimilate it.

   Advice: If you enjoy learning with others, try starting a math group or joining a math group if you already have one.

   
   

Method 2 of 3: Preparing for the Math Exam in One Day

1. 1 Review your notes to brush up on the most important formulas and concepts. If you've taken notes in class, you can use it to remember what you learned for the rest of the day. Find important formulas and information that the teacher focused on during the lessons. Most likely, all of this will occur during the exam, so carefully review your synopsis.
   • If you haven't taken good notes, ask your classmates to lend you the notes. Perhaps a classmate will borrow their notes or even allow you to make a copy to help you prepare for the exam.
2. 2 Take a sample assignment, if possible. Some math teachers give students sample assignments, similar to those they might encounter on an exam. In this case, carefully study the questions and problems and make sure you understand and can solve them. Similar problems can occur on the exam, so a detailed analysis of the sample assignments will increase your chances of successfully passing the exam.
   • You can also independently compose sample assignments based on the tasks that were solved in the classroom and are given in the textbook.
   • Another option is to search the internet for similar examples.
3. 3 Make a study sheet and fill in the most important information. Identify all the most important formulas, definitions, concepts and other information that you think you will need for the exam. Write it all down on a card or piece of paper. Keep this sheet with you and check it whenever possible.
   • For example, you might be reading a curriculum sheet while on the bus, in line, or even waiting for class to begin.

   Advice: Some math teachers allow you to bring a list of the most important formulas with you to the exam. This can be a small card or a standard A4 sheet, depending on the teacher's instructions. Write down on the sheet any information you think you will need for the exam.

   
   
4. 4 Search YouTube for instructional videos that explain tricky concepts at a glance. If you still don't fully understand any material, search the internet for a video explaining it. Perhaps this will make it easier for you to understand it than from a synopsis or textbook.
   • For example, if you are having difficulty adding and subtracting fractions, find a video that explains the subject in a clear and engaging way.

Method 3 of 3: Taking the Right Exam

1. 1 Skip tasks you are not sure about and return to them later. It is best to solve the easy tasks first, as it will take less time. If you are faced with a challenge that causes you difficulty, skip it and return to it after you have finished with the easiest tasks.

   Advice: This means that you will have to solve some problems out of order, but don't worry! This is much better than trying to solve all the problems in order and not meet the allotted time.

2. 2 Read the conditions of the problems and write down the values ​​given in them. Problem statements can be very confusing, especially if they contain a lot of additional information that is not conducive to finding a solution.Take a moment to first read the statement of each problem and determine the appropriate numbers that will be needed to solve it. Then plug these numbers into the desired formula and find the answer.
   • As an example, consider the following problem: “Peter needs to park 27 cars in the parking lot, each car occupying an area of ​​3 × 3 meters. The dimensions of the parking lot are 30x55 meters. How many cars will Peter be able to place in this parking lot? "
   • The following numbers are given in the problem statement: the number of cars available (this value is not needed), the area occupied by one car (3 × 3 meters), and the size of the parking lot (30 × 55 meters).
3. 3 Review the solutions to the problems and, if possible, add additional information. Even if you get the wrong answer, some teachers give extra points for the student's demonstration of knowledge and ability to solve this type of problem. Add as many details as possible to the solution to each problem, especially if you are not sure that you have received the correct answer.
   • For example, if you need to use a particular formula to solve a problem, first write down this formula in general terms. After that, substitute the corresponding values ​​into the formula, write down the necessary intermediate calculations, and only then give the answer you received.
4. 4 Eliminate those options that you think are wrong. On the exam, you may come across multiple-choice problems that you are not sure about. To increase your chances of getting a higher grade, you can eliminate answers that you think are wrong. Try to solve the problematic problem, and then eliminate knowingly incorrect answers.
   • Suppose you solved the problem and got 72 as a result, but there are the following answer options: a) 56, b) 71, c) 77, d) 112. You can exclude options "a" and "d", since they are very different from the answer you received. Option b is the best choice as it is closest to your answer.
5. 5 Try it guess the answerif there is nothing else left. If a problem has several answers and you do not know which one is correct, you can try to guess it. Choose the answer that seems correct to you if you have an idea of ​​what it might be. Here are some additional ways to guess the correct answer:
   • avoid options that are very different from other possible answers;
   • select the option "all" or "none", if possible;
   • if possible answers are written in words, choose the longest answer.

Tips

• To improve your math grades, you need to practice problem solving. If you don't succeed the first time, practice and in the end you will succeed.