5 Ways to study for your math exam
Alright kids, exam season is upon us and it’s time to share some of our fave tried, tested and true study tips. Different subjects require different types of studying, and we want to make sure you know that while reading your textbook might work in a History class, it def won’t work in math class! Stick with us and we’ll give you some ideas as to how to tackle high school math exams in an easy and effective way. Math can feel tough, but with the right mindset and study strategies, you can crush your exam like a pro.
1. Use Multiple Sources
Don't rely solely on your textbook or class notes to study for your math exam. Use multiple sources to get a well-rounded understanding of the material. Check out online resources, watch videos, or work through problems from different textbooks. Ask your teacher for old tests and even for old practice exams! Different sources can provide different perspectives and help you approach problems in new ways.
2. Break it Down
Math can be overwhelming when you're faced with a lot of material to cover. To avoid getting overwhelmed, break down the material into smaller, more manageable chunks. Focus on one concept at a time, work through practice problems, and then move on to the next concept. This can help you stay focused and avoid feeling like you're drowning in information.
3. Get Help When You Need It
If you're struggling with a particular concept or problem, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Talk to your teacher, work with a tutor, or ask a classmate for clarification. There is ZERO shame in asking for help, and remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry and that getting help early can help prevent frustration and confusion down the line as your math exam creeps closer!
4. Visualize!
Visualizing math concepts can be a powerful way to improve your understanding and memory of the material. Draw diagrams and graphs, use colors and symbols to help organize information, and create mental images of the problems you're solving. We loveeeee cute study supplies here at our tutoring studio so we recommend heading to your local dollar store and stocking up on coloured pens, highlighters, and sticky notes. Colour-coding your notes can spice things up, make things less boring, and help you see connections between different parts of a problem and make it easier to remember how to solve it.
5. Teach Someone Else
Teaching someone else is one of our fave ways to get familiar with material - that’s why all of us became math tutors! Find a friend, family member, or even a stuffed (or real?!) animal, and explain a math concept or problem to them. When you teach someone else, you'll have to break down the material into smaller, more understandable parts, which can help you better understand it yourself.
So, there you have it, my friends! Five tips to help you ace that high school math exam. Use multiple sources, Visualize, break it down, get help when you need it, and teach someone else. If you’ve found other study strategies to help you ace your June high school math exams, we would love to hear about them - get in touch!
Vanessa Vakharia is the author of 𝑀𝒶𝓉𝒽 𝐻𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓈 + 𝑀𝒶𝓉𝒽 𝐻𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓈 𝟚 , the host of the Math Therapy podcast, and the founder of The Math Guru tutoring studio.