This article outlines the six effective strategies to get better at maths. No matter whether you are struggling to improve your maths skills for GCSE, A-level, or college, these tips will definitely help you.
Solving math problems is not about being born a genius. It is about learning the right strategies to break down the problem and find the solution. Whether you are navigating complex GCSE algebra formulas, solving advanced A-level calculus, or tackling real-world statistics in college, feeling stuck is common – but it is not the permanent phase. Using the tips and strategies covered in this blog will help transformatively.
The secret to improving your math skills is to shift your focus from memorising formulas to understanding the logic behind them. With the right mindset and effective strategies, you can learn how to get better at maths. But the question is, how do you know what the best approach is to improve your math skills? In this article, we will share some effective strategies and tricks that help you master this subject and ace your math exams at every level.
Important Notes:
- Most students find mathematics difficult because of weak foundational knowledge, prioritising cramming, lack of practice, learning disabilities, and maths anxiety.
- Creating an effective study plan is the best way to get yourself prepared to perform better at maths.
- Improve your grasp of basic arithmetic operations, percentages, decimals, and other visual data representation methods.
- Using effective learning skills and avoiding distractions are the key strategies that help students to get better at maths.
- Staying organised and seeking additional support are also significantly helpful in improving the maths.
Why Students Find Maths Subjects Difficult?
Maths is not a cup of tea for every student. Some students love to solve complex mathematical problems, while others cringe even at the thought of solving maths equations. According to a study by ResearchGate, 42% of students dislike the mathematics subject because they face difficulties in understanding the subject matter.
- Weak Foundation – Maths requires a strong foundation. The colourful blocks you used in your preschool for learning addition and the multiplication tables you learned in high school are the building blocks to solve the complex problems. Some students face difficulties in solving mathematical problems because they don’t have a strong grasp of these basic concepts.
-
- Prefer Memorising Over Understanding – Many students treat mathematics like other subjects and only focus on memorising concepts and formulas without understanding them. This memorising may be beneficial for them for a while, but when students have to solve complex problems, they don’t know how to solve them because they didn’t focus on problem-solving skills that are important to solve mathematical problems.
- It Requires Lots of Practice – Learning maths is not a magic that automatically gets. It takes time and a lot of practice to understand math. Students who don’t like this subject, sitting down in one place, and practicing maths problems can be a real struggle for them. Without this practice, students don’t learn how to handle the basics of this subject, which eventually makes mathematics subjects a hard nut to crack for them.
- Learning Disability – According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, every 1 out of 5 individuals has a learning disability. Learning disability or learning disorder is a brain condition in which an individual faces difficulties in processing information. Many students find the maths subject hard because of this disability.
- Maths Anxiety – Maths anxiety is a real thing. According to National Numeracy, maths anxiety causes stress among adults and children when they are asked to solve maths problems. This anxiety has nothing to do with intellect or inability, but more about the stress that limits one’s ability to think clearly.
6 Best Strategies To Do Better at Maths for GCSE, A-Level, and College
Whether you are giving GCSE exams, studying A-levels, or preparing to enter college, mastering the maths subject is essential. However, many students struggle to improve their maths skills. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for them. They can approach a reliable assignment writing service that can help them to complete their mathematics homework and improve their mathematical skills.
Apart from that, they can follow some proven strategies that we are going to mention in this section. These strategies are not just a set of instructions, but they are the tried and tested tips. Keep reading to explore these strategies.
1. Create an Effective Study Plan
A well-structured study plan can play a key role in getting better at maths. This study plan can act as a roadmap to success and provides you with a well-designed framework to manage your time while studying.
To create a good study plan, you can follow the steps below:
- Start by assessing your current commitment to assess how much free time you have to invest in improving your maths.
- After that, set clear goals for each maths study session. For instance, you might decide to work on the polynomial equation one day and trigonometry on the next. Setting clear objectives helps you to stay focused and makes your study time more productive.
- It is also good to add short breaks in your study schedule. These breaks will help you to prevent burnout and can improve your memory retention.
2. Focus on Fundamentals
To get better at maths during your GCSEs, A-levels, and college, you must focus on maths fundamentals. These basics help you to make a strong foundation for mathematics skills. Once you get a strong grip on these basic rules, you can tackle bigger challenges.
Have a look at the details of these basics.
- Arithmetic Operations – Arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are the basics for solving maths problems. Mastering these basic operations is important to tackle math-related tasks.
- Fractions and Decimals – The next fundamentals are the decimals and fractions. A decimal is a part of whole numbers, and a fraction is the numerical representation of a decimal.
- Percentage – Percentage shows a portion of a specific amount out of 100. It is a significantly important fundamental in mathematics that is used in almost every maths problem.
- Visual Representation of Data – In mathematics, numbers are usually presented in various ways, such as graphs or charts, so that they are more understandable. Learning to get a grasp of underlying data and interpreting the data points are important for solving maths problems.
3. Use Effective Learning Techniques
Every student has a distinctive learning style; some learn by doing things themselves, while others understand things better through visual means. Students just have to identify which study technique better suits their learning objectives.
Check out what are the most effective learning techniques that students can use to get better at maths.
- Use Flashcards – This technique is the most effective in memorising the formulas and mathematical equations. Students can use hard-copy cards or online flashcard apps for this learning technique. With these flashcards, students can better understand how to solve the complex maths equations.
- Create Mind Maps – It is also known as spider diagrams or concept maps. With the help of this method, students can get an overview of key points and connect different ideas. Furthermore, students who find it hard to revise the lecture notes can use this technique and make their learning more enjoyable.
- Active Recall – The best way for students to memorise the complex formulas of mathematics is to ask themselves questions that are created from classroom notes. This method can guide them to retrieve the information that they memorised during their learning session..
- Watch Videos and Webinars – Students can also learn from watching videos and webinars that are available on different tutoring platforms. They need to just make sure that the formulas and techniques used in these webinars are accurate.
4. Avoid Distraction While Studying
Picture this: you are solving a tricky maths problem, and your phone is continuously buzzing with notifications. Can you focus on solving your maths puzzle? Obviously not. You are not alone. According to a report by EdSource, 85.7% of teenagers said that their mobile phone is the greatest distraction for their schoolwork.
Therefore, it is important to restrict the distractions when you are trying to get better at maths. Limiting distractions will truly help you to focus on the maths problem step by step. You must make your surroundings distraction-free by following the steps below:
- Instead of sitting in a noisy place like the living room or TV lounge, try to sit in your study room where there is minimal distraction.
- Turn off your mobile phone or put it on silent while solving mathematical problems to better concentrate on math.
- Most students think that multitasking is effective, but it is the biggest distraction for them, which stops them from doing their academic tasks better. Because their brain works in patterns and can focus on one thing at a time.
- Practice mediation is another useful way to avoid distraction while solving mathematics puzzles. It helps you to reduce the mental noise that eventually helps you to bring back your focus.
5. Stay Organised While Solving Mathematical Equations
It is important to stay organised to get better at maths because it allows you to review your work later and identify your mistakes. Unfortunately, many students don’t know how to stay organised while completing their mathematical equations.
If you are one of them, you can follow the tips below:
- Label Each Page – Start each page with the date and topic heading. This labelling will help you to easily review your notes while preparing for the maths exams.
- Add Spacing – Add sufficient space between each problem to prevent clutter. This spacing also helps you to add notes or make corrections later.
- Give Details for Each Step – When solving the mathematical problems, it is important to explain each step. This elaboration will help you understand the process later.
- Make Sections – Draw a line in the middle of each page to create sections for different types of mathematical problems. This will also help to distinguish between questions and answers. This sectioning helps you to stay organsied throughout your study.
- Add Key Definitions and Insights – Specify some space for jotting down the key definitions and insights for each topic. This dedicated section acts as a reference for future study and comprehension. You can understand the complex concepts and recall the important information by reviewing these sections.
- Don’t Write the Incorrect Answers – If you get the wrong answer to the question, don’t write the incorrect answer unless you get the right one. Take time to solve this problem again until you get the correct solution. This will not only improve your problem-solving skills but also improve your understanding.
6. Seek Additional Support
Whether it is GCSE, A-levels, or college, mathematics is the most important subject on which every student must get a strong grasp. However, many students face challenges in mastering these concepts. They can seek additional support at any stage of their learning process.
There are many options for additional support, including:
- Tutoring – Getting assistance from tutors is the most effective and accessible additional support for students. Students can avail this tutoring through in-person or at a learning centre, depending on their academic goals and personal choices.
- Study Groups – There are various in-person and online study groups available that aim to help students to pass the GCSE and college-level maths exams. One example is the Student Room, which is a one-to-one study group. Students can join this group free of cost and meet other learners who are also preparing for GCSE exams.
- Online Resources – Online learning platforms and apps can also help students to get better at maths. There are countless online resources, such as GCSEPod, Revision World, Khan Academy, Our GCSE Knowledge Hub, BBC Bitesize, YouTube, and more.
- Professional Help – If you are stuck on your mathematical equations or formulas, you can hire a top-rated assignment writing service. These professionals are proficient in solving complex maths problems and providing well-commented solutions without breaking academic integrity.
Conclusion
Not every subject can be a cup of tea for every student, so it is with the maths subjects. Some students love to spend hours practising maths problems, while others dislike it. But disliking doesn’t mean that they cannot conquer it. With the right strategies and planning every student can get better at maths for GCSE, A-level, and college.
The first and foremost thing that students should do is to create an effective study plan that helps them to stay on track. Focus on fundamental skills and using effective learning strategies are two building blocks of strong mathematical skills. Avoiding distractions and getting additional support can also help students to solve maths problems effectively. So, just push yourself forward by following the key strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Practice Time Per Day is Needed to See Maths Improvement?
Consistency is the key to improving any complex subject, such as maths. An average student must practice 30 to 60 minutes daily to improve their mathematics understanding. This consistency is more effective for long-term learning as compared to infrequent cramming.
For analysing the structured progress due to this consistent practice, you can use an online platform. On this platform, you can track daily progress and find curriculum-based activities that are significantly helpful in improving the quality of your practice.
What Problem-Solving Techniques Work Best to Get Better at Maths?
The most effective techniques that work best to get better at maths are based on a combination of structured methodologies and evidence-based learning. Polya’s Four-Step Method is the most popular technique among them. This technique helps the students in the following ways:
- Guides students in understanding the problem
- Assists them in making a plan
- Helps them carry out the plan
- Allows them to solidify the conceptual knowledge by getting the right solution
How Do You Overcome Maths Anxiety and Build Confidence in Numbers?
Maths anxiety is real, and many students struggle because of it. To overcome this anxiety, you must follow the strategies given below:
- Use the box breathing technique
- Express yourself without fear
- Make maths practical
- Reframe the physical sensation of nervousness
- Incorporate systematic desensitisation
- Adopt a growth mindset
- Celebrate small wins
0 comments