Many students study maths the way they'd study history: reading notes, rewriting them neatly and highlighting the important bits. It feels productive. But in maths, it's one of the least effective ways to prepare for a test.
Why notes don't work on their own
Maths is a skill, not just a set of facts. Reading a worked solution can make it feel easy, but recognising a method isn't the same as being able to use it. Many students discover the difference too late, when they sit the test and can't start the first question.
What to do instead
- Do the questions. Most study time should be spent solving problems, not reading about them.
- Test yourself first. Try a question before looking at the example. Struggling a little is part of how memory is built.
- Mix it up. Practise a mix of question types, so you learn to recognise which method a question needs, just like in an exam.
- Keep a mistakes list. Write down every question you got wrong and why. Revisit them before the test.
- Space it out. Short practice sessions across the week beat one long session the night before.
Where notes still help
Notes aren't useless. A short summary of key formulas and a few worked examples are valuable. They just shouldn't be where most of the study time goes.
Practice is how confidence is built
Every question a student solves on their own is proof that they can do it. That's why our program is built around weekly assignments and tests, so practice becomes a habit, not a last-minute scramble.
Our live online maths tutoring gives students a clear 10-week plan, weekly tests and a full grade improvement guarantee. Preparing for the HSC? Practise with our free HSC maths past papers.