In Spite of having had a good schedule to review or practiced many kinds of mock/previous exams, it is possible for you to make silly mistakes in A-Level Maths exams. Is your goal to get a high score in A-Level Maths to receive many benefits from it? The article will tell you the most common mistakes made in A-Level Maths. The author also gives the ways and tips to avoid A-Level Maths paper mistakes.

 

1. 4 Common mistakes that you cope within A-Level Maths exam

 

Due to worry and stress, you are able to make one or more than one mistakes. The solution is that you have to know common mistakes that are made in order to limit these shortages.

 

1.1 Do not mind or look at the clock

 

Maybe you think that you have to put much effort to do the exam instead of looking at the time and then being pressured with time. No, it is a common mistake. 

You should focus on time to distribute suitable time for questions. Evaluate the amount of time you have to complete this exam and allocate it according to the difficulty of the questions. 

Sometimes, the exam rooms do not have a good wall clock for operation. And avoid having to look up and down many times. Wearing a watch on your hand is a good idea in the exam. 

>>> Read more: How To Get An A* In Maths A Level

 

1.2 Do not put your answer according to the correct form

 

 

mistakes in A-Level Maths
Do not put your answer according to the correct form is one of the common mistakes in A-Level Maths exam

 

After receiving the results, some students do not understand why they do not attain full marks. Do not indicate their answer according to the correct form is one reason. 

They look through and do not focus on some pieces of requirement in questions. For example, a question requires the answer must be in meters. But you keep centimeters as the data give in the questions.

The thing you need to do is read at least twice and highlight the special part of the question required by the candidates. 

 

1.3 Round response too soon

 

For faster calculation, many students round the results before making the next step. It affects the total result because of the deviant number.

To ensure that your answer is nearly the exam board’s answer. Please remember that do not round any values till you reach the final results.

 

1.4 Assume contents that have not proved yet

 

In geometry questions, some students make assumptions based on their feelings or the way they draw. If this content is not given in the questions, you must prove it before using it to analyze more.

 

2. 8 Top Tips to Avoid Mistakes in A-Level Maths Exam

 

 

To save marks in your A-Level Maths, you need to focus on avoiding mistakes. The following part will present you with some tips:

 

  • Be careful with complement or small signs in the questions.

 

  • Divide the questions into many small steps instead of solving one big step for one question.

 

  • Check your answer by using your good calculator.

 

  • Ensure to understand your question every step well before moving to solve the next questions.

 

  • Believe your experience by asking yourself is this answer right as usual? If you feel unsure, check it again.

 

  • Take your questions according to the correct forms as the question requires.

 

  • Make sure you have already completed all of the questions. Recheck your total answer again.

 

  • If you have already answered all of the questions, revisit all of the steps and your final answer to each question.

 

tips to avoid mistakes in a-level maths exam
Divide the questions into many small steps instead of solving one big step for one question

 

3. 6 Ways to Check for Mistakes in A-Level Maths 

 

How could I ensure that my answer is right in the A-Level Maths exam? Or Which ways can I use to check my answer? There is no best way to absolutely ensure your answers are always right. However, some ways are useful for you to check your answer at least in the right place.

 

3.1 Review your answer 

 

When you are not sure of your answer, you should ask the question, Does it answer the question properly? and try to prove it yes or no.

 

  • Replace your answer as x, y, or anything you want to check whether your equation is operating or not. You can apply this way for equation question form.

 

  • Take a random line in the midst of proof and check that if you substitute in random variables, the left-hand side and right-hand side give you the same value or not.

 

  • Check to see if the shape you have already created “works” in another way if you have worked with geometric questions.

 

3.2 Make sure your response is reasonable

 

When you get a response, especially a measurement, it’s a good idea to ask yourself, “Is this a realistic response?”. For example, Lan rides a bike in 10 minutes then you calculate the length of distance as 10km. Surely, the answer is impossible.

 

3.3 Review the list “Stupid List”

 

When you practice mock exams or exercises, you should write and highlight your mistakes after checking the results. Then you make a list to resume all of your mistakes called a “stupid list”.

 

>> > Practice now: A-Level Maths Practice Questions

 

From the information on this list, you know which part you usually make mistakes and which mistakes you usually meet. In the A-Level Maths exam, it is easy for you to review your answer carefully as well as consider your mistakes in your “stupid list”.

 

3.4 Examine each and every line

 

Do you have some spare time? You might either count the tiles on the ceiling or check your work line by line. It is recommended that you place a ruler under the first line that you have written your answer. 

 

check for mistakes in a-level maths
Examine each and every line

 

Verify that what you’ve written corresponds to the line above it. Continue to the following line until you are satisfied. Then move on to the next lines. Even if the process is really tedious, it helps you a lot.

 

3.5 Re-read the question

 

You have spent many times solving a question; however, you feel that you go nowhere next. At this moment, you get stuck. So, what should I do? To smooth your process, you can do as below:

 

  • Check to see if you’ve used any of the information provided by the examiners. Is it of any use to you?

 

  • Check that the information you have used is valid and that any formulas you will need have been copied correctly. (it is much easier to notice whether you have written them down incorrectly in case you know them by heart.)

 

  • Check to see if there’s anything you can use from earlier in the problem. There are numerous exam questions relating to previous parts.

 

3.6 Search for a different strategy to solve the questions

 

Any question can be answered in a variety of ways. If you have been trapped, lost, or traveled in the wrong direction, it might be worth your time searching for one of these. Try performing anything without the calculator if you’ve done it before. Try a different equation for a straight line if you have already used one. If you have already tested the quotient rule, try it with the chain and product rules.

 

4. Conclusion

 

We all make mistakes, not except in the A-Level Maths exam. To understand it, you have to know what mistakes you usually meet in A-Level Maths. Find the solutions to avoid these mistakes gradually. Importantly, read carefully and do not take a lot of time to solve one question or try every effort to a big process.