Students all around Singapore will no doubt face the anxiety of having to sit for all types of exams – and especially maths exams, since maths is a compulsory subject. But instead of panicking – a highly unproductive exercise – students should perhaps try to do their reasonable best. This article aims to provide a list of helpful tips students can practice when exams are near.
Last-minute cramming with a sacrifice of sleep and health is not worth it (Although as teachers, we have all done it before!)
Students sometimes think that they should be up all night studying before a major maths exam, to ‘absorb’ as much as possible. However, the opposite is often true, as students suffering from a lack of sleep will not have the mental space to process the complex questions clearly the following day. It is important for students to not only memorise content, but also analyse the question and evaluate which parts of their knowledge is needed to answer it.
Plan your time early, and accordingly
Often during exam periods, students have more than one exam to contend with and they should form early strategies to study for them. For instance, some students may decide to study for their last paper first, and some of them prefer to study for the earliest papers first. It is important for students to form their own strategy accordingly based on their schedules. They should also (hopefully) understand a bit about their own minds, how they process & retain content studied.
Aim for progress, not perfection!
Lastly, students should remember that although there is a high emphasis on getting good grades and going to the “best” schools in Singapore, they should just do their best based on their own level of ability. There is no need to stress oneself out unnecessarily and students should give their best efforts given the limited time for preparation they have.
For the most part, maths examinations are not rocket science – and most students, with proper guidence and extra tuition (if necessary), are able to perform reasonably well. So if you’re a student, put on your thinking caps, and start planning for the final exams. The time to start is now!
