HSC Stuff > HSC Mathematics Extension 1

How can I avoid the errors I make during exam times?

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Opengangs:
I've been getting pretty consistent results in Extension 1, with the latest in the pool of 80's.
My ranking has significantly improved from Prelim, but I feel my ranking doesn't reflect my mathematical abilities because of these errors.

I've been sitting past papers from my school and other schools, such as James Ruse, NSB, NSG, and Baulkham, in exam conditions, and I've been getting in the solid 85 and even 90's for some.

But the problem is when I sit my school exams, my mind blanks out, even if I already know how to do them. How can I avoid these errors and my mind blanking out during exams? Do I just sit more exams under exam conditions, and keep doing them until I'm 100% confident?

RuiAce:
Continuously attempting past papers under exam conditions certainly aids this process but you need to consider why your mind blanks out, because otherwise you're only practicing how to get 80% and not 90%. Of course, the alignment algorithm typically brings results of 80% up to E4 in MX1, but that's besides the point.

Firstly, make sure some past papers you do (in or out of exam conditions) are set by the same people as those of your school. Your school should be offering you some relevant past papers for you to do to get a feel for things. Under normal circumstances, your school will continue to set past papers from said company (e.g. your school writes their own, CSSA, blah) and you should do those as well, so that you're being exposed to questions much more like what you'll get on the day.

Blanking out isn't abnormal but you need to figure out why, as well as how to deal with it. When does the blanking out start - reading time/writing time/before you open the paper etc. What exactly happens - just stop thinking or what? Do you drink water in the exam? (Yes, water helps.)

Then, figure out ways of dealing with it. You need to stay calm, and employ basic exam strategies (such as getting rid of easy questions first). Maybe not necessarily force it, but you need to allow yourself to regroup as well.

Fully compare what happens when you do past papers, and in the exam. By full, I mean to every last detail you know of.

Sine:

--- Quote from: Opengangs on July 05, 2017, 09:07:11 am ---I've been getting pretty consistent results in Extension 1, with the latest in the pool of 80's.
My ranking has significantly improved from Prelim, but I feel my ranking doesn't reflect my mathematical abilities because of these errors.

I've been sitting past papers from my school and other schools, such as James Ruse, NSB, NSG, and Baulkham, in exam conditions, and I've been getting in the solid 85 and even 90's for some.

But the problem is when I sit my school exams, my mind blanks out, even if I already know how to do them. How can I avoid these errors and my mind blanking out during exams? Do I just sit more exams under exam conditions, and keep doing them until I'm 100% confident?

--- End quote ---
blank out as in making a stupid mistake or can't do the question?

Opengangs:

--- Quote from: RuiAce on July 05, 2017, 09:48:11 am ---Continuously attempting past papers under exam conditions certainly aids this process but you need to consider why your mind blanks out, because otherwise you're only practicing how to get 80% and not 90%. Of course, the alignment algorithm typically brings results of 80% up to E4 in MX1, but that's besides the point.

Firstly, make sure some past papers you do (in or out of exam conditions) are set by the same people as those of your school. Your school should be offering you some relevant past papers for you to do to get a feel for things. Under normal circumstances, your school will continue to set past papers from said company (e.g. your school writes their own, CSSA, blah) and you should do those as well, so that you're being exposed to questions much more like what you'll get on the day.

Blanking out isn't abnormal but you need to figure out why, as well as how to deal with it. When does the blanking out start - reading time/writing time/before you open the paper etc. What exactly happens - just stop thinking or what? Do you drink water in the exam? (Yes, water helps.)

Then, figure out ways of dealing with it. You need to stay calm, and employ basic exam strategies (such as getting rid of easy questions first). Maybe not necessarily force it, but you need to allow yourself to regroup as well.

Fully compare what happens when you do past papers, and in the exam. By full, I mean to every last detail you know of.

--- End quote ---
Thanks for the insight!
I think it's just the nerves before the exams that get to me, because when I sit the past papers (even with the conditions simulating that of exams), I tend to be more relaxed. But during the exam periods, especially with the other examinations in the midst, my mind tends to not function properly.

I think I'll work on my breathing techniques, so I don't feel exam anxiety as much as I do, rather than actual questions (yes, I'll still practice them), because I think this is the problem. Not the questions themselves.


--- Quote from: Sine on July 05, 2017, 10:07:49 am ---blank out as in making a stupid mistake or can't do the question?

--- End quote ---
It's not that I can't do them; I think it's just exam anxiety. Like, the questions themselves aren't too hard and I can think of the solution/method in my head, but I can't translate them onto paper sometimes.

Sine:

--- Quote from: Opengangs on July 05, 2017, 04:31:23 pm ---It's not that I can't do them; I think it's just exam anxiety. Like, the questions themselves aren't too hard and I can think of the solution/method in my head, but I can't translate them onto paper sometimes.

--- End quote ---
do tonnes of practice exam in strict exam conditions - e.g. reading time - completing the whole exam and checking over until time elapses then once you get to the actual exam you've done all this before. So basically try to replicate your actual exam to exact details. e.g. water bottle on flloor, no phone, watch on table etc

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