How do i stop making silly mistakes in A level Maths papers?
Every time I sit a past paper, i always lose up to 15 marks on sily mistakes. things like randomly forgetting a minus or typing in the wrong number to the calculator. Its weird because i find the questions easy but can just never stop making these mistakes.
Does any1 have any advice on how i can stop doing this? im afraid it could end up being the reason i don't get an A*
Does any1 have any advice on how i can stop doing this? im afraid it could end up being the reason i don't get an A*
Reply 1
Ok so this also happens to me but I’ve worked on it because as the material gets harder I can’t afford silly mistakes. So what I do is:
-targeted practice of topics by identifying where I often make mistakes
-show more working honestly I treat the difficult questions a bit like proofs because by writing it all out mistakes are less frequent (for instance, mechanics questions that involve y2 trig)
-focus as much as you can during practice papers , treat it as a real exam
So to be more specific say I often make stupid mistakes with substituting 1+tan^2(x)=sec^2(x) by putting cot instead of tan, I write out how the identity is derived, takes like 20 seconds. If it’s a common mistake it’s worth it. In general I show a ridiculous amount of working in exams -I’ve been told that some non proof answers are like proofs but for me, this helps reduce mistakes .
You have to be methodical and careful and for me personally , I’m willing to sacrifice time to review questions to go through the exam carefully. It pays off because when do I understand the question better, whilst doing it or an hour later after I finished an exam slight early?
-targeted practice of topics by identifying where I often make mistakes
-show more working honestly I treat the difficult questions a bit like proofs because by writing it all out mistakes are less frequent (for instance, mechanics questions that involve y2 trig)
-focus as much as you can during practice papers , treat it as a real exam
So to be more specific say I often make stupid mistakes with substituting 1+tan^2(x)=sec^2(x) by putting cot instead of tan, I write out how the identity is derived, takes like 20 seconds. If it’s a common mistake it’s worth it. In general I show a ridiculous amount of working in exams -I’ve been told that some non proof answers are like proofs but for me, this helps reduce mistakes .
You have to be methodical and careful and for me personally , I’m willing to sacrifice time to review questions to go through the exam carefully. It pays off because when do I understand the question better, whilst doing it or an hour later after I finished an exam slight early?
Reply 2
14
it helps if you clearly set out your working like a step by step like one line per step and also if you have time check all your working at the end. and if you're making silly error like 1+3=5 literally put simple things like this in your calculator it can save you so many marks
Reply 3
Original post by ReeceV123
Every time I sit a past paper, i always lose up to 15 marks on sily mistakes. things like randomly forgetting a minus or typing in the wrong number to the calculator. Its weird because i find the questions easy but can just never stop making these mistakes.
Does any1 have any advice on how i can stop doing this? im afraid it could end up being the reason i don't get an A*
Does any1 have any advice on how i can stop doing this? im afraid it could end up being the reason i don't get an A*
in the exact same position bro
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Getting an A* in A Level Maths
- Maths GCSE revision
- FULL MARKS at maths gcse ?
- gcse maths help??
- is it possible to go from a 6 to a 7/8 in gcse maths in 2 weeks?
- How to stop making stupid mistakes in maths
- Higher Maths GCSE S.O.S
- Gcse maths higher aqa
- Math revision ASAP
- Exam Stratgies
- Maths confusion.
- Revsion help- maths, English lit and bio?
- Does anyone else misread exam questions?
- How to get a 9 in GCSE Maths
- What uni should I apply to?
- Y11 mocks (can I get all 9s???)
- should i try to get my maths remarked?
- Oxbridge GCSE grades
- GCSE panic
- how do people get As and Bs in chemistry!!!???
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 month ago
scientific article release - SNAB biology a level edexcel 2025Last reply 1 month ago
A levels starting soon but havent starting revision yet - HELP PLEASELast reply 1 month ago
AS LEVEL further mathematics FURTHER MECHANICS 1 and 2 paper 16th may edexcelLast reply 2 months ago
A* business a-level tutorial EDEXCEL - How to get an A starLast reply 2 months ago
Any 2025 Alevel Edexcel Business Predictions???
