Further Maths Summer Prep thread

[mitsubsh]

i am doing further next year and i wanted to know what people did in their summer holidays to prepare themselves to get a high study score in the further maths. my school is using the Cambridge essential further maths textbook

[sam.utute]

i am doing further next year and i wanted to know what people did in their summer holidays to prepare themselves to get a high study score in the further maths. my school is using the Cambridge essential further maths textbook

In three words: FINISH THE TEXTBOOK

EDIT: Sorry if I keep repeating this. I'm a big fan of using the summer break to get way ahead.

[mitsubsh]

In three words: FINISH THE TEXTBOOK

EDIT: Sorry if I keep repeating this. I'm a big fan of using the summer break to get way ahead.
[/quote]

what about making the reference book? should i make during the year as the teacher can have a better explanation than the book?

[sam.utute]

You should probably make your bound reference later on in the year. That way, when you have completed lots of practice exams, you can include the questions that you got wrong in the book. It is probably not worth making during the holidays. It is only when you do exams that you will be able to highlight your strengths and weaknesses, and then make the reference to suit.

[superstar1]

when i did further maths, i didnt do any questions in the holidays, that was because i wasnt sure i was doing it. when i went to school i thought i should take it. i was in year 11 this year and so i concentrated mostly on that. anyway i dont think u should spend the holidays on that if u have another subject like methods or chem, however if ur going to year 11 next year then i think u shud do it in the holidays. during the year u shud get ahead and start doing practice exams, they are always useful.

[sam.utute]

It only takes a week to finish the entire Further course. IMO, might as well get it out of the way.

[ech_93]

It only takes a week to finish the entire Further course. IMO, might as well get it out of the way.

How many questions from each exercise do you recommend on doing?

[superstar1]

i did every question.

[onur369]

Id agree with Sam but myself personally am going to only do core as I believe that I may lose concentration later on in the year.

[_avO]

Honestly you should only be doing extra if you intend on learning another module, I'm 100% sure that none of you will be short for time in class to finish exercises and work ahead. I for one did not do anything at home all year for Further, and basically finished the course in class and brought along prac exams near end of T3 to complete.

[StoneCutter]

I recommend doing a chapter a day. I'm up to chapter five amongst studying for other subjects.

[sam.utute]

I recommend doing a chapter a day. I'm up to chapter five amongst studying for other subjects.

Yep, a chapter a day, keeps mum off your back

It only takes a week to finish the entire Further course. IMO, might as well get it out of the way.

How many questions from each exercise do you recommend on doing?

I usually did every second or third question. It's all about doing the bare minimum with the textbook, and maxmising time spent doing practice exams. Do as many questions that you feel necessary to understand the concept of the exercise.

[Darren]

Should we bother making a notebook when we learn the course over the summer holidays, or just solely complete questions? How long does it take to finish the course?

[Streaker]

No need to go overboard with study. I only did the core over the holidays (every question from it - Essential Maths textbook).

The key is consistent work throughout the year, and a little bit extra for SACs. Then for exams, do as many as you can. I started off with all the company exams then finished off with VCAAs. Make sure you complete VCAA exams from the previous study design too, those are 100% relevant apart from the fact that they don't have matrices ( they also use some dodgy formulas in business maths but those aren't that bad).

I ended up getting 48 in Further. The above method is what worked for me I guess. Best of luck

[sam.utute]

Should we bother making a notebook when we learn the course over the summer holidays, or just solely complete questions? How long does it take to finish the course?

1-2 weeks tops. I also never bothered to make a "notebook" for Further. I did make a bound reference at the end of the year, which is pretty much the same.

I don't know how many times I've said this, but try to get through the textbook ASAP. The textbook questions are usually pointless, and that's why you want to get it out of the way and focus on doing exams. Even if you don't completely understand some topics, doing tons of exams will highlight the weaknesses and then allow you to refer back to notes/textbook etc. for clarification.