X-Kit Achieve!

John Bransby is a former principal and examiner and is currently a Maths and Science Educational consultant

Studying Maths and Science, and other subjects that involve calculations, require a slightly different approach to studying other subjects. Here are some tips for doing well in these subjects:

1. Before class or before your study session

• Go through each section of work to get an idea of what it’s about before your teacher starts to teach it, or before you start to study it. This means you’ll have a general idea of what the work is about.

2. In class

• Always listen very carefully to your teacher in class. Focus and concentrate on your work. Participate actively by asking and answering questions.
• Make sure that you understand each step and ask questions if you do not understand.
• Complete all the work your teacher sets for you – in class or at home.

3. At home

• Revise your work every day.
  • Summarise the most important information.
  • Draw diagrams to help you remember facts.
  • Repeat experiments and practicals.
  • Try to apply what you have learnt to real-life situations.
• Make summaries of each section, read through your summaries and quiz yourself to make sure that you know the work well.

4. Before tests and exams

• Think about and list the types of questions you can expect from different sections, such as a definition, calculation, construction, drawing or explanation.
• Attend tutorials or study in groups and quiz one another.
• Do plenty of extra exercises and examples. You can get these from study guides, worksheets and on the Internet. Doing extra exercises and examples will reinforce your understanding of the work.
• A very good way of testing your knowledge is by completing past tests and exam papers. Try to work through as many as you possibly can in preparation for a test or exam.