Maths Exam tips and techniques

Budget time:
Work out first how long you get per mark e.g. 1 minute per mark. You can return to a question later. Check
number of marks per question for time to take and guide you on how many steps you may need to answer
it.

Decide what I need to do to get marks:

Read the question carefully before beginning make sure you answer it. Which Command word ('calculate',
'find', show that, evaluate, prove etc) to indicate what the question requires?
When you think you’ve finished answering it, check again to make sure you’ve done what it asked for. For
example:
 Did you need to give a conclusion, such as “Option A is better value”?
 Are the units included?
When I first read the question, I’d highlight the part of the question that told me how to give my answer

Getting started:
What do I know from my experience AND from the question?
E.g. the question gives me 2 triangle side lengths and an angle, AND I know Trig ratios SOHCAHTOA
.. What do I want to do (e.g. to answer or prove)? What can I introduce to help me - notation, organization
or representation e.g. use a diagram, grid, table of values or a pattern etc. Can you break up the question
into parts, steps you need to take?
If you can’t see how to get to the answer then just think about what you CAN do with the information
given. It’s often easy to get the first mark, and it might get the ball rolling for the rest of the solution.

Draw a diagram where possible:

This allows you to visualise the main features of a question and the missing element that we need to find.
It puts all of the relevant information on the page, rather than asking you to hold it all together in your
mind. And often it allows you to physically map out the route to answering a question.

Write out any formulae you can use:

Sometimes you get marks just for this!
Convert keywords from the question into maths eg D = 60 g/cm3 , M= 120g etc to use in a density formula,
then can substitute numbers: 60 =120/V

Set out the logic of your workings:

You might feel it’s unnecessary, but it’s always a good idea to build your solution from the foundations up.
Draw a diagram, define any unknowns, state a formula or identify what you need to solve the question,
then show your workings step by step (including when using calculator!). This not only helps you structure
your answer but helps the marker see your train of thought and award you marks. Don’t be afraid to
use words to explain your thinking.

General tips:
Cross out errors. – draw a single line through.
Use a logical layout for you answer step by step, use a new line for each step.
Check your work at the end. Make sure your answer is sensible e.g. by using estimation: 6.41 X 3.25 is
approximately 6x3

©WLeser Exam tips