Learn the basics

Most students who don’t get a C / Grade 4 in maths struggle with the basics of Fractions, Long Multiplication and Division, Basic Percentages, and Probability. If you’re having trouble with these concepts, don’t worry, you’re not alone. But if you can’t do these, you’re more likely have to repeat maths. And let’s be real, who wants to go through that again? Not us!

Improve your maths skills and ace your GCSE maths exam with these tips.

So, let’s start with the basics. Make sure you have a solid understanding of the foundational concepts before moving on to more complex topics: Basics of Fractions, Long Multiplication and Division, Basic Percentages and Probability. And when you’re practising, aim to do it regularly. Set aside some time each day to work on maths problems, and gradually increase the difficulty level. It’s like building muscle, but instead of a six-pack, you’ll get a 5-pack! Get it? Level 5 is a B!

Time yourself

Now, here’s a tip that’s both serious and hilarious. Work on your timings. Each question mark is how long you should spend on a question. A 2-mark question should take you two minutes; a 4-mark question should take you 4 minutes. It’s like a race against time. Can you beat the clock and finish the question before the timer runs out? Challenge accepted!

Break down the problem

Breaking problems down into smaller, more manageable steps can make them easier to understand and solve. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, try solving them using emojis as subject markers. Trust me; it’s more fun than it sounds!

Get a Tutor

Attending revision classes is an excellent way to reinforce your learning and get additional support from your teacher or tutor. But if you’re struggling to stay awake during class, 🙂 bring a whoopee cushion to keep you entertained. It might not help you learn math, but at least you’ll have a good time! No, do not take that to school – you will get banned!!

Practice mental maths

Remember to practice doing mental arithmetic every day to improve your mental maths skills. And when you’re practicing past papers, make sure to do it with a friend or a pretend friend! Turn it into a competition and see who can solve each question the fastest. Just make sure you’re not cheating – unless it’s with your pretend friend!

Past papers

Practising past papers is a great way to get familiar with the types of questions you’ll encounter in the exam. Try to do one past paper per week to improve your understanding of the questions and complete them quickly.

Help is here!

And if you’re struggling with a particular topic, don’t hesitate to seek help from your teacher, tutor, or peers. Use online resources to complement your revision notes and textbooks. And if you need further help and support, you can contact our Online HNL Tutors, and we’ll be happy to help you.

So, there you have it, folks.

With these tips and strategies, you’ll be well on your way to improving your maths skills and achieving your target grade. And who knows, maybe you’ll even find yourself enjoying maths! (Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch, but we can dream, can’t we?)

Remember, getting a C /B Grade 4/ 5 in the foundation paper maths is achievable with the right approach and effort. Start with the basics, practise regularly, use online resources, get help if you need it, work on your timings, break down problems, attend revision classes, practise mental maths, use past papers for practice, do not rush, and stay positive.

Good luck!

Cal – cu- later! That is how we say bye in maths…get it…