Before we get into the tips of how to do well on the exam, it’s important to first grasp the principles.
Let’s start from the beginning.
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education, or IGCSE, is a two-year programme that culminates in University of Cambridge tests that are set, graded, and certificated externally. A globally recognised certificate will be given to each student who completes an IGCSE course. IGCSE provides a total of 70 courses. A minimum of 5 and a maximum of 14 subjects are available to students. English, mathematics, and science, on the other hand, are the most common and necessary disciplines for students.
Now that we’ve covered the fundamentals, let’s look at how to master the IGCSE Math.
Many people believe that being strong at math is just a matter of having a “gift” or “eye” for it. However, this is not always the case; there are many elements that go into succeeding in math, and most of them are within your control. Here are some proven tips and tricks to help you improve your IGCSE Math experience.
When learning Mathematics, you can’t escape making mistakes. They’re inescapable; if you don’t make any, you’re dealing with problems you already know how to address. Our math success comes from tackling problems that we are hesitant about, problems that appear to be too difficult for us to handle at first. So, the next time you encounter an “Additional” question in your textbook, don’t ignore it; take it on! After reading it, try to make some calculations. Scrap them if necessary, and try again. Return to it the next day if you haven’t made any progress.
There’s nothing wrong with not being able to answer the question right away; experienced mathematicians deal with complex math problems every day, and they regularly labour on the same problem for years. In fact, there are a handful of well-known math problems that have remained unresolved for decades, despite the efforts of the world’s brightest mathematicians – Millennium Prize Problems. Look them up — if you can solve even one of them, you’ll win a million dollars!
Memorizing methods for solving math problems the night before the test has no long-term value. Yes, you may pass the test, but math is a cumulative discipline, meaning that what you study now is built on what you learned previously. For example, you can’t study simultaneous equations without first knowing and solving simple linear equations, and you can’t solve simple linear equations without first obeying and comprehending simple arithmetic rules. More complex topics are always constructed on the foundations of easier ones — think of it like building a house – you must first create the foundation before you can build the roof.
Things that you are excited about progress more quickly. When you open your IGCSE math book or feel the need to open your phone, you can fall asleep. However, learning Mathematics while in school is not an option unless you wish to drop out or repeat a year. So, make the topic as exciting as possible for yourself!
Go to YouTube to look at educational IGCSE math videos or take online Academic tutoring classes for topics outside the curriculum (Numberphile is a good starting point), read ahead in your IGCSE math and do your best to ask questions in class. At some point, you might even become excited to open a math book to start a new topic!
Before their exams, many students find their IGCSE Maths notebooks to be a mess of unrecognisable scribbles. It’s tempting to take hasty, low-quality notes during class, but this isn’t a good long-term strategy. Summarizing the important points in a new notebook after reviewing a new topic in the class is such an efficient approach to swiftly boost your capacity to recall that new Maths knowledge.
This method cuts down on the amount of time spent revising before exams. By covering the study topic in your own words, you personalise it – regardless of how great a coursebook or teacher is, you understand the content in a way that is unique to you – thus it makes sense to create your own study material for the future – material that you can easily comprehend.
In summary, if you utilise the aforementioned tips to perform well in IGCSE Math, you should be able to pass the exam with flying colours. Always remember that focus and consistency are the two most important parts of any exam.
And if you need more help, you can always seek IGCSE tutoring because, while studying on your own might be beneficial, there is no harm in seeking professional support. By providing you with extensive study resources, the trainers can better direct you.
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