So you've been doing your past paper/question revision, and you've found a topic you are having difficulty with - what now?
MathedUp! have produced a site for 'GCSE Maths Takeaway', which is excellent because:
1) Topics! There is a wide range of topics listed
2) Practice questions! Just click on the topic you need to revise
3) Answers! You must mark your work, and identify any mistakes,
4) Videos! Once you have identified a mistake, you can watch the video to revise the concept.
(If the video didn't help, remember you still have your revision guides, MyMaths and MathsWatch!)
There are a lot of topics here, so please make sure you use this site once you have identified a concept you are having difficulty with. This will help to make sure that your revision time is time well spent.
Good luck with all of your revision, stay positive - you can do this!
The 'topic list' will direct you to all the videos on these key topics.
The 'checklist' will allow you to go through a list of these topics, updating your progress as you go. For this you will need to sign up to website, which is simple and free of charge.
For foundation mathematics students, below are a set of exam papers for exam practice.
Remember: 1) Keep to exam timed conditions - 1 minute per mark
2) For each revision session, allow half of that time to attempting the questions and then the remaining half of the time for marking, identifying concepts to revise and then revision.
3) Mark your work. Be strict, identify where you lost marks and watch the video for an explanation. Then revise that concept using your revision guide, MyMaths, MathsWatch or Hegarty Maths.
Without step 3, your revision will be ineffective - make sure you mark and revise!
For higher mathematics students, below are a set of exam papers for exam practice.
Remember:
1) Keep to exam timed conditions - 1 minute per mark
2) For each revision session, allow half of that time to attempting the questions and then the remaining half of the time for marking, identifying concepts to revise and then revision.
3) Mark your work. Be strict, identify where you lost marks and watch the video for an explanation. Then revise that concept using your revision guide, MyMaths, MathsWatch or Hegarty Maths.
Without step 3, your revision will be ineffective - make sure you mark and revise!
A range of videos aimed at strengthening you ability to perform calculations in the non-calculator exam. You need to be confident in doing these calculations ahead of your exam.
Note: There are a number of different methods, if you know an alternative method for performing a calculation this is fine, as long as it gets you the correct answer!
A range of number questions
1) Pause the video and attempt the question on screen
2) Press play and mark your work
3) Note where you lost marks - you now have some topics you need to revise using your revision resources.
Division (non-calculator)
1) Attempt the questions without a using a calculator
2) Do you get the same answer? If not, 'click for method' to see how it can be done correctly.
Pay particular attention to those with decimal number solutions.
Multiplication (non-calculator)
1) Pause the video and attempt the question he is about to do
2) Watch his working out and mark your answer
3) Identify any areas where you made mistakes, retry the question and then move on to the next.
Column Addition (with decimals)
1) Pause the video and attempt the question he is about to do
2) Watch his working out and mark your answer
3) Identify any areas where you made mistakes, retry the question and then move on to the next.
Column Subtraction (with decimals)
1) Pause the video and attempt the question he is about to do
2) Watch his working out and mark your answer
3) Identify any areas where you made mistakes, retry the question and then move on to the next.
Multiplying/Dividing Decimals
Listen to the method and attempt it for yourself, can you apply it when multiplying or dividing other decimals?
We have identified that question practice is important in order to achieve in mathematics, but what can you do to help remember those equations, processes or definitions that you keep forgetting?
Flash cards allow you repeatedly train your brain to recall this key information, and can be very effective if used correctly. The video below gives a tutorial on how to create and use these cards for yourself.
WARNING: Always make sure the information you put on your flash cards is correct! Use revision guides or resources to create accurate flash cards for your revision.
This can be effective for a wide range concepts in mathematics, with examples of concepts such as:
Describing and applying transformations
Remembering equations and formulae such as Pythagoras' Theorem
Exam paper practice is a good way to get used to the format, structure and timing of a GCSE Mathematics exam, and can also indicate to you what GCSE grade you are currently working at.
Here is a guide to effectively planning past paper revision:
1) Have you got the correct paper and mark scheme?
The paper must be for Edexcel GCSE Linear Mathematics
You will know if you are sitting a higher or foundation exam paper, so make sure that the paper you have is the correct tier for you.
Is it calculator or non-calculator?
Do you have access to the mark scheme?
It is important you can mark your work and see where you gained and lost marks. Without marking your answers, this highly effective revision strategy will be time misspent.
2) How much of the paper do I have time to sit?
You are given 1 hour 45 minutes in the exam to complete 1 paper.
There are 100 marks per paper.
You should allow at least 30 minutes to mark and annotate your answers.
It is important you have time to mark your work after sitting it. If you do not have 2 hours and 15 minutes available, can you sit part of the paper instead?
In the exam you have just over 1 minute per mark, and so if you have 1 hour allocated to revision, that's 30 minutes of examination time and 30 minutes of marking and revising solutions.
3) Where can I find past papers and mark schemes?
You teacher - You will have been given a free pack of past papers and mark schemes earlier in the year. If you need a replacement paper copy, these are available at a cost of £3 from your teacher.
Website (higher or foundation): Hegarty Maths - Question papers are available in video format and solutions are discussed for each question.
Website (higher only):Achieve Maths - Links to their youtube channel for papers and video solutions.
Website (higher or foundation):eMaths - Paper copies of past exams and their mark schemes.
Android Mobile Apps - GCSE Maths provides access to past papers and their mark schemes on your mobile or tablet
4) Make sure it is effective
Do it in timed conditions - whether a full or partial paper, remember: 1 minute per mark!
Do it in silence - It is best to get used to the feel of exam conditions
Allow time to mark your work at the end
Identify the topics you have lost marks on and revise them
5) Remember your maths teachers are there to support you, if you are stuck then come and see us!
