Numbers and figures are an essential part of our world, necessary for almost everything we do every day. As important as this subject is, it’s definitely not the easiest to study. Sometimes students are lucky and have a knack for numbers and math, whereas others struggle with calculations and formulas. You don’t really need to be good with numbers to pass a test, but you do need the right tools in order to prepare and study for your tests. But before you can dive right into studying the materials – you should make some notes about how to properly take a math test, without making stupid mistakes.
Write Neatly
Most of the time, teachers and professors require you to show your work on math tests – meaning that they want to see how you get from point A to point B. Of course, you should try to use the methods learned during your course, but as the nature of math is, as long as you can prove your work then you should be good to go!
Read Instructions Carefully
A majority of small mistakes come from not following the directions completely and sometimes even the answers can be found within the directions. Whether it’s a special formula to use or the right variables, the instructions are very important for passing your math tests.
Double-Check Your Work
Students are tempted to just finish the test and submit it just to get it over with. It’s a normal sentiment – wanting to feel a sigh of relief. But double-checking your answers can actually help you avoid simple mistakes and even reward you more points for being very thorough. With numbers, you need to be thorough, even outside of your math test. It’s a common practice in most lines of work to double, triple, and even quadruple check.
Knowing these few tips is sure to raise your test scores and even help you prepare yourself for your maths exams. But make sure that these become good habits you keep, rather than a 1-time effort, you’ll thank yourself later.
These tips are only half of what you need to do to pass your math tests easily. Just as with any subject, there are certain ways to process and retain information efficiently for your brain to store and use them whenever you need it.
Here are some good study habits and tips that’ll improve your math grades.
Study the Formulas and Operations
Although math is usually a cumulative subject, a subject that builds upon prerequisite information and materials, your course is highlighting the specific functions and methods to solve specific questions and equations. It’s important to note that sometimes tests provide formulas on the test, whereas others may require you to know and memorize them, but a good rule-of-thumb is to memorize them anyway, you’ll retain that information much easier.
Start Early, Don’t Cram
A common mistake of any test, let alone math tests, is that students tend to leave everything last minute and put off studying until the night before the test. Cramming is bad, especially with math. Don’t do it! Instead, plan out a study timeline days ahead or even a week ahead so you can pace yourself. It doesn’t take long to work out some math equations or formulas per day, so you get some practice in.
Use Flashcards
An underrated resource for learning math terms and formulas are the use of flashcards. Physical ones or ones on your phone are just as good as each other, as they test your memorization skills which is absolutely necessary for remembering math formulas and equations. And since math is a cumulative subject – these flashcards may be useful in the future.
Find Practice Tests to Study
Practice tests are probably one of the best ways to study for a math test. They are just as difficult if not more difficult than an actual test but without all the pressure of having a grade attached to them. The internet is chock full of them, so it won’t be difficult to find. There are even websites you can surf that will have exactly what you need.
Do Your Homework
If you have a competent teacher or professor, your homework assignments are crucial for studying for your math test. It should contain everything you’ve learned through the term or semester and is good practice for you to study from. Sometimes teachers and professors even reuse some questions on their tests, so you’ll have an advantage that you’ve studied them.
Understand the Practical Use of This Math
Lots of times, the scope of the material doesn’t register with students – why is this important to learn? How can I use this formula to calculate the circumference of a circle or the volume of a cylinder? Well, maybe not in your professional line of work – but in relation to how the world works in general, it’ll make things make sense in your head.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Almost as important in life, getting plenty of rest before a test will help you do much better. Even getting enough rest during a study week or during your semester is enough to help you remember and retain information. If you want to be a more efficient student, this is probably one of the easiest ways to do so – by sleeping well.
Even with all these helpful hints and tips, studying for math tests isn’t easy. You’ll still have to put in the legwork and this is not a surefire way to pass your test. But be confident enough in your skills and knowledge going into your test by following these steps.