Maths questions are sometimes super-straightforward, like ‘Solve this equation’.
But, they can also can be a lot more complex and tricky, with layers of info and worded requirements.
And it’s often these worded parts of maths exams that trip students up or catch them out. It’s also where there are usually some simple yet often overlooked extra steps or hints on getting full marks.
So, this week, as part of my 5 Exam Tips in 5 Days email series, I’m sharing the 4 most common ways students lose out on easy marks in Maths exams – and of course how to make sure your teen DOESN’T (lose easy marks in their next maths exam, that is) 🙂
By easy marks, I mean that they’ve done the hard work, they know the concept or method they need to use and have applied it correctly.
BUT where they could be getting full marks or an A grade for a particular question, they may be missing out and this is for a few simple possible reasons:
Common Maths Exam Mistake no. 1
- Rounding too early.
If students round their answers at each stage of a multi-step calculation, there’s a fair chance that their final result will be too far from the ‘accepted range’ in the mark scheme for top marks or an A-grade in their final answer. So they need to get really good at using either the Memory buttons, ‘Previous Answer’ button or accurately inserting brackets on their calculator to avoid this.
Another error that’s often made DURING their calculations is:
Common Maths Exam Mistake no. 2
- Not noticing different units WITHIN a question.
For any calculation of any kind, all figures or data being used must be in the same units. It’s easy to miss small but important details like this in a question when under exam pressure. For example, if a question has measurements of both km’s and metres, one or other needs to be converted so that they are all in metres or all in km’s. Or ideally (extra tip!) in the units required in the final answer. 🙂
And that brings us nicely to …..
Common Maths Exam Mistake No. 3
- Not giving the final answer in the units required.
For example the question might state that students give their answer in cm squared but they’ve given it in mm squared.
Oooorrrrr they’ve given an answer in minutes, when it should be converted to hours.
This usually happens because they are so focused on GETTING the answer, that they then forget that final conversion when they get to that finish line.
And last but not least…
Common Maths Exam Mistake No. 4
- Not giving the answer to the correct degree of precision.
Similar to mistake number three, in that it is also often forgotten in the final stage of the answer…
Unless otherwise stated, students should give an answer to 2 decimal places (or 3 significant figures for super-small numbers). However it’s quite common for the level of precision to be specifically stated, for example to the nearest tenth, or to the nearest thousand.
When students have gotten caught up in the process of working out especially in a multi-step problem, it’s easy to either gloss over or forget about an instruction beyond the calculation itself.
Conclusion:
Each of these common mistakes are often responsible for students dropping down a full mark or grade in a question. Over a whole exam that could be a number of marks.
And remember it only takes one mark to drop or climb up a full grade overall.
So have your teen check and double check in their next Maths or Numeracy Test:
That they’re keeping all figures in full throughout all steps of a calculation and only rounding at the end.
To be careful of units WITHIN a question and whether any conversions need to take place before the calculation is started.
And then at the very end, taking note of what units the answer should be given in and then being careful to round to the degree of precision required.
If you’d love your teen to have lots more simple tips like these as well as get coached in MUCH more detailed and sophisticated strategies and exam techniques in time for their end of year exams, then be sure to check out my Exam Mastery Workshop – especially right now while I have a very special earlybird offer on!
Can’t wait to see your teen at the workshop!
Katie
