Here I’ll be talking about some pointers that I learnt from my H2 math tuiton during my JC years. Tackling JC H2 maths is totally different from secondary school maths when you’ll have to answer as many questions correctly as possible. For JC H2 maths, the key is speed and sacrificing questions that you cannot solve. The ultimate goal of our math revision is to improve results and this performance-enhancing ways can be roughly divided into two types: 1) to improve the overall ability in solving math questions; 2)to familiarize with the answering patterns and master the examination style. With these in mind, we have the potential and the level of play to the extreme. During our last minute revision, which of these two methods help one to increase test scores in the shortest possible time? For the former, we need to accumulate this comprehensive ability throughout schooling years, hence the ability to improve in the short term is limited; For the latter, the effectiveness in improving in the short term is obvious. In general, math teachers or math tuitions often only pay attention to the former while ignoring the latter.
Excellent H2 math skills + Normal answering test techniques = A
Normal H2 math skills + Excellent answering test techniques = B
Familiarize with the test questions and proper time management for each question. In fact, for all examinations, you have to figure out a few points: How long is the exam, what is the total score, what types of questions are there (MCQ, fill in the blank etc) hnow many points each… In this way, you will be able to have a reasonable time allocation in the exam. Be sure to avoid spending too much time stuck on a few tricky questions.
Be aware of how many questions you are able to answer correctly, sometimes you have to choose and give up on some questions. Most H2 math tuition centres encourage this method as it ensures that you will score full marks for questions that you know how to solve and most marks for certain questions that you encounter some difficulties. For the weak students, I believe most tuition centres and school teachers would suggest looking through all the exam questions first and select out those questions that you have confidence in answering, cross out questions that you don’t even know where and how to start solving. It’s bold yet the right decision to give up on these difficult questions. Many instances where H2 math students without proper examination techniques do not want to leave any questions blank, resulting in all the questions done in a hurry, full of errors and then got penalized for this careless mistakes. They even try to scribble long nonsensical equations for questions they don’t know how to do, in hope of scoring some points. Do not feel distressed to leave blanks, because even if you spent a long time staring at these H2 math questions, you probably still couldn’t solve it. Well, then again, you can only do this according to your own situation and own discretion during the exams.
Students also need to master fast and accurate answering with the help of Graphic Calculator(GC). I believe most JC H2 maths tuition centres would emphasize the importance of GC during examinations.
In short, candidates have to learn how to handle the h2 math exams based on own ability and discretion.