DAY 20
Today has been very hectic. I really don't think I'm working enough to achieve these A*s... I have to try harder.
It was sole MAT prep today with a bit of Circular Motion/SMH revision as I have a test next week.
Computer Science
Apparently, my work is comprehensive and of A* standard... But I'm awaiting a draft mark for section 1 of my coursework so I can make improvements.
EPQ
My EPQ teacher thought my work was amazing and I'd definitely get all the marks for my first section and if I keep it up I'll definitely get an A*
MAT
This was a real bummer. I tried the 2013 paper. It was incredibly difficult for me. I don't think I was in the right mind-set.
For MAT 2013, the average score amongst all applicants 44.8, amongst shortlisted applicants 54.2, amongst successful applicants 60.6
I scored 58/100...
So I would've been shortlisted but I probably wouldn't receive an offer.
What I struggle with the most is trying to understand what the question is asking for. Here's an example:
AB-words are “words” formed from the letters A and B according to certain rules. The rules are applied starting with the empty word, containing no letters. The basic rules are: (1) If the current word is x, then it can be replaced with the word that starts with A, followed by x and ending with B, written AxB. (2) If the current word ends with B, the final B can be removed.
Describe precisely all the words that can be produced with these two rules. Justify your answer.
I was very confuzzled and I thought... isn't there an infinite many ways that these rules could be applied.. how many times do they want me to apply these rules.... it was the word "precisely"... yeah... I was being a bit silly I guess but I think I'm still in like an "A-level Maths" mind set and not a problem-solving one. But I will do better in the 2014 paper.
So here's my plan for MAT:
40 minutes on Question 1, 30 minutes thereafter on 2,5,6 and 7. I intend to start with Q6 in the real paper as this is my strongest question. I often score 15/15 on this question. So I'm going to go 6, 1, 2, 5, 7... or something along those lines. The next paper (2014) I will do timed so that I can see how many marks I drop whilst on a strict timer!
Have a great week guys! Make the most out of your situation, whatever it may be!