ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Mathematical Methods CAS => Topic started by: TheCommando on October 06, 2017, 06:11:40 pm

Title: tips for exams for a student who is struggling
Post by: TheCommando on October 06, 2017, 06:11:40 pm
Hi so methods by far is my worse subject and i was just wondering how do i best improve for the exams
i struggle so much with practise exams and because of this i can hardly do any
Title: Re: tips for exams for a student who is struggling
Post by: zofromuxo on October 06, 2017, 06:33:59 pm
What about exams do you struggle with it?
Is it the content? Revise your material again, learn the theory, start with basic exercises to build confidence and then do some exam questions on areas of content you struggle with?

Not finishing on time? Try focusing on the question without a time pressure and doing the same question again with a time pressure. Check to see if your answers were correct, if so. Then try and write down your thoughts when under timed and non-timed conditions, what are the differences and then address those.

Too much pressure, anxiety, stress? If that happens, when you do the paper. Why does it happen?
If it occurs when you do a "tough" question=> Either do another question that you know you do well on to build confidence or close the paper, close your eyes and just breathe. Take a few moments to calm down and have thoughts that you can do this!, you studied all this year on this material, so they haven't asked something you haven't learnt! When your ready, then go back to the question and look at it again and do it step by step. It is better to get a question with no mistakes and miss a few, then do a plethora a question full of mistakes.

If you feel pressure beforehand and it doesn't dissappear or even worsen when doing a paper. You need to remind yourself, you are ready for this, you know what they can ask you. Since your doing practice exams, remember you can only improve and that with time you will.
"Honour the work and it will honour you".

I hope this helps, if it is something else that I haven't covered or if you want some more indepth then just shoot a reply here or PM me.
You aren't the only one going through this, many people struggle doing exams and many people have overcamed them as well. Don't see yourself as someone who won't.
Title: Re: tips for exams for a student who is struggling
Post by: Bri MT on October 06, 2017, 07:34:04 pm
Do you feel like you can understand the content? remember it?
Do you feel overwhelmed trying to understand what the question want you to do?    <- (Practice questions are great for helping with this)
If you cant handle exams right now, can you do the exam questions on their own (just do like 5 questions then reward yourself without the obligation of doing more straight away)?  textbook chapter questions?
If you aren't going for high up marks, and you just want something decent sometimes it's good to guess and skip questions
Do you struggle more with technology or manual?
Title: Re: tips for exams for a student who is struggling
Post by: lyoko on October 06, 2017, 07:54:17 pm
Hi so methods by far is my worse subject and i was just wondering how do i best improve for the exams
i struggle so much with practise exams and because of this i can hardly do any

I totally feel you bro - I myself am not a strong student in maths by any means. Yeah I thought I would let you know that you're not the only one :)
Title: Re: tips for exams for a student who is struggling
Post by: Sine on October 06, 2017, 09:03:32 pm
Hi so methods by far is my worse subject and i was just wondering how do i best improve for the exams
i struggle so much with practise exams and because of this i can hardly do any
go through all the past vcaa exams and look at the questions that >50% of the state have got correct and learn/memorise the methods behind doing all these questions (ask someone or post on AN if you aren't sure about how they got to the answer). These questions shouldn't be too "hard" but generally these are the type of questions you can be assured will come up in some sort of form in this years exam.

in the end it's just all about mark maximisation no matter how you do it (fudge some working on 3 mark questions you don't know hoping to get 1/3) - generally assesors hate giving out 0 marks for a questions so if you write something relevant you are more than likely to get a single mark