Maths Exams 2015 - Securing the 90%

So, I've had my first 3 exams, two of which were Edexcel Maths/F maths ones and I'm completely shocked. Last year was the first time I think Edexcel really pulled up the standard and I knew they would do it again but it seems no matter how much I do, I'm still not sure of getting 90%. The S3 exam today was a prime example - did all the past papers and International exams yet still found it very hard and probably came out with a C. To get my Maths and F Maths A* I can't afford for this to happen again.

So my question goes out to those who do well on these 'new' type papers, how do you prepare?!

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Reply 1

username1162972

18

Original post by V0ldemort17

So, I've had my first 3 exams, two of which were Edexcel Maths/F maths ones and I'm completely shocked. Last year was the first time I think Edexcel really pulled up the standard and I knew they would do it again but it seems no matter how much I do, I'm still not sure of getting 90%. The S3 exam today was a prime example - did all the past papers and International exams yet still found it very hard and probably came out with a C. To get my Maths and F Maths A* I can't afford for this to happen again.

So my question goes out to those who do well on these 'new' type papers, how do you prepare?!

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Understanding.

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Reply 2

V0ldemort17

OP

3

Original post by physicsmaths

Understanding.

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?

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Reply 3

WhoDaresWins

17

These new paper's are getting ridiculous.

Reply 4

V0ldemort17

OP

3

Original post by WhoDaresWins

These new paper's are getting ridiculous.

I agree. I understand that some questions do have to have levels of difficulty but these new papers have difficult parts in all questions and make it impossible for someone who has been prepared extremely well to get an A*

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Reply 5

adamjhodg

2

Most people who believe they are A* students will probably revise for the Maths exams by doing countless past papers so they become used to the types of questions and methods required. In previous years this would have helped reach an A* but this year, as has been shown in both M3 and S3, in order to get an A* (losing 6/7 marks maximum in a paper), you actually require an understanding of the content and why you are doing what you are doing. Of course, further maths students should be learning the theory behind the content and not just enough to pass the exam but clearly people are not prepared for these questions that require them to think.

Its a bit kate now but dont just do past papers...learn why the content works.

Reply 6

V0ldemort17

OP

3

Original post by adamjhodg

Most people who believe they are A* students will probably revise for the Maths exams by doing countless past papers so they become used to the types of questions and methods required. In previous years this would have helped reach an A* but this year, as has been shown in both M3 and S3, in order to get an A* (losing 6/7 marks maximum in a paper), you actually require an understanding of the content and why you are doing what you are doing. Of course, further maths students should be learning the theory behind the content and not just enough to pass the exam but clearly people are not prepared for these questions that require them to think.

Its a bit kate now but dont just do past papers...learn why the content works.

Did you do fp2 by any chance? How would you suggest 90 in this?

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Reply 7

delpetra

7

Original post by V0ldemort17

Did you do fp2 by any chance? How would you suggest 90 in this?

I'm doing FP2 too and I find it much harder to 'understand' than S3 or S4. Like, if they have any weird questions on first/second order differential equations I think I'd totally flop; I can do the standard methods and all the questions in the textbook just fine though.

Reply 8

TeeEm

19

This is no GSCE!

You cannot learn purely by rote.
You have to train your brain.
the amount of practice required typically for Maths is way too high compared with other subjects.

Here is a fact
Most students pick A level maths because they think they do not have to work (like they did not have to work at GCSE)

Reply 9

username1162972

18

Original post by dhamm

I'm doing FP2 too and I find it much harder to 'understand' than S3 or S4. Like, if they have any weird questions on first/second order differential equations I think I'd totally flop; I can do the standard methods and all the questions in the textbook just fine though.

Look at the proofs for how PI and CF come around. That should help.

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Reply 10

V0ldemort17

OP

3

Original post by TeeEm

This is no GSCE!

You cannot learn purely by rote.
You have to train your brain.
the amount of practice required typically for Maths is way too high compared with other subjects.

Here is a fact
Most students pick A level maths because they think they do not have to work (like they did not have to work at GCSE)

I am in complete agreement! I did all the past papers from 2005 and solomans and IALs. I thought I had a pretty damn good understanding of the concept behind topics but that s3 exam was just immense.

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Reply 11

TeeEm

19

Original post by V0ldemort17

I am in complete agreement! I did all the past papers from 2005 and solomans and IALs. I thought I had a pretty damn good understanding of the concept behind topics but that s3 exam was just immense.

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maybe your exam technique/nerves ...