How to improve in Methods - Exam 2

[james207]

How can we improve our scores in the analysis tasks in exam 2 for methods? Any tips?

[m@tty]

Practice really.

[StringFever]

How can we improve our scores in the analysis tasks in exam 2 for methods? Any tips?

This isn't a "tip" per se, but I find just putting down anything related to the implied topic of the question helps. For example, if it seems like a calculus question - setting up an integral/differentiation can sometimes get you a Method Mark.

Likewise, in probability, I find tables and diagrams helpful, and sometimes gets you a mark.

Also, to save time, write down the appropriate theory and use the calculator to solve the rest (providing that exact answers aren't required). For example, I find that with integration questions, you can get away with setting up the integral and then using the calc to solve it.

Another tip I've found from experience is highlighting your answer - if you do so and get it correct, you're less likely to have your working out scrutinised (which, if you're like me, is sometime littered with small careless errors)

[Ilovemathsmeth]

Practice, practice and practice is the only real way you can improve.

[NE2000]

What if you just keep making really really silly mistakes. Anyone got techniques for fixing that?

[kurrymuncher]

What if you just keep making really really silly mistakes. Anyone got techniques for fixing that?

Try not to rush your exam, and make sure you have time left to go over the whole exam, as if your re-attempting the questions.

Other than that, I cant see anything else.

[TrueTears]

What if you just keep making really really silly mistakes. Anyone got techniques for fixing that?

I tend to check each question over quickly after finishing it, that way it increases my chances of picking up silly mistakes.

[StringFever]

What if you just keep making really really silly mistakes. Anyone got techniques for fixing that?

I tend to check each question over quickly after finishing it, that way it increases my chances of picking up silly mistakes.

+1 - I reckon you're in the right state-of-mind when doing a question, so why not check it immediately after you finish. Afterall, it saves you having to re-read the question and re-focus when checking the paper in general...

[Ilovemathsmeth]

It's normal to make silly mistakes! What's important is to learn from them. The night before or 2 nights before make a list of all the mistakes you've been making (refresh memory by looking over the exams you've completed) and try and memorise the things you need to look out for in checking time. To get a good estimate of how you'll go on the real exam check your work - I used to do the entire exam then check in the time remaining.

The common mistakes I found were: rounding, misreading question (does it say EXACT value or DEC value), sketching graphs (forgetting to label an asymptote or intercept) or calculation errors. But keep in mind that improvement is definitely possible!

[ngRISING]

some good tips for exam 2. very useful. my prac exams are getting better but still a large margain between the two

just did insight 07,
exam 1 = 92%
exam 2 = 60% LOL >.<

what i've noticed is that i finish exam 1 in about 40mins however in exam 2 i tend to finish just on time and still screw up. =='

[NE2000]

It's normal to make silly mistakes! What's important is to learn from them. The night before or 2 nights before make a list of all the mistakes you've been making (refresh memory by looking over the exams you've completed) and try and memorise the things you need to look out for in checking time. To get a good estimate of how you'll go on the real exam check your work - I used to do the entire exam then check in the time remaining.

The common mistakes I found were: rounding, misreading question (does it say EXACT value or DEC value), sketching graphs (forgetting to label an asymptote or intercept) or calculation errors. But keep in mind that improvement is definitely possible!

Yeah I keep a log of all my errors. Thanks for that.

[StringFever]

It's normal to make silly mistakes! What's important is to learn from them. The night before or 2 nights before make a list of all the mistakes you've been making (refresh memory by looking over the exams you've completed) and try and memorise the things you need to look out for in checking time. To get a good estimate of how you'll go on the real exam check your work - I used to do the entire exam then check in the time remaining.

The common mistakes I found were: rounding, misreading question (does it say EXACT value or DEC value), sketching graphs (forgetting to label an asymptote or intercept) or calculation errors. But keep in mind that improvement is definitely possible!

Yeah I keep a log of all my errors. Thanks for that.

Our teacher does that for us. He even went to the trouble of compiling exams of questions that we often get wrong...I died when I saw my paper