Top 10 Ways to Ace an Algebra Exam
A lot of people hate Math. Thinking about all those dizzying computations and boring formulas can certainly put some people to sleep. I have even heard some of my friends say that they are allergic to Math. Imagine the plight of these Math-haters when they take exams. Some of them try to fight yawns after reading each formula. Some of them get frustrated after hours of staring at each Math problem. Others simply don’t give a hoot about reviewing or passing the subject. It is no wonder that Math has always been regarded as highly-flunkable because it is one of the subjects students love to hate. So, here are the 10 best ways to get that elusive passing score on a Math exam:
10. Copy from Your Seatmate
Reviewing can certainly be a drag and remembering all those formulas is simply absurd. A student can always worm his way out of a failing grade by peeking at the answers of his seatmate. This method works very well with multiple choice exams but can be very ineffective when handling complex solutions. This method is currently practiced by a lot of delinquent students and not all of them make it to the next year, which is why this is ranked #10.
9. Cramming
Cramming can bail you out of a tight spot. Countless hours of last-minute reviewing can work wonders since you get to touch on every single topic in a single sitting. Sleep is also proven to organize your reviewed math lessons to a point. There is a chance that all the lessons you covered will still be fresh in your mind when the math exam is handed to you the following day. This method has bailed out a lot of people, though it doesn’t work for everyone. The amount of lessons you can retain is always the primary thing in question with this method.
8. Suck Up To Your Teacher
Reciting and frequently conversing with your math teacher after class are two things that can bring you closer to your teacher’s sensitive side. Sly students share funny and heart warming stories with their professors. Extra-friendly math teachers are suckered by this tactic as they open up with their own set of stories. Soon enough, those teachers consider those students to be their friends. Once that happens, some of those extra-friendly teachers will not have the conscience to flunk their new friends. This method won’t work on honorable professors who are as old as relics.
7. Tutoring
For the right price, tutors will help you solve the most complex math problems and help you learn the hardest lessons. They will explain the math lesson to you in a comprehensive manner and demonstrate how to solve the trickiest math problems. The best tutors won’t even leave a topic until you thoroughly get it. You can easily learn all those lessons that have pestered you for the entire semester after a few sessions with your tutor.
6. Befriend the Geeky Math Whiz
The math whiz is your meal ticket to having those elusive passing grades. These geeks get through their math classes by trading normal high school experiences for formulas and math problems. You can introduce the fun of being in the real world by befriending these people for a price, a good grade on your math exams. You can get free tutoring, completed homework assignments and in some cases, a good look at their test papers.
5. Do Your Homework
Homework is the immediate form of practice that algebra teachers give to their students. These assignments are directly related to the lessons that were taken up during class. If you do your homework promptly, you’ll be able to master all the algebraic concepts, lessons and problems as they are taken up in class. This may be tedious and stressful but the reward is a very good score on your algebra test.
4. Modern Scientific Calculator
The scientific calculator is very useful in oh so many ways. It has loads of functions waiting to simplify the next math problem. Since the use of scientific calculators is allowed in some algebra lessons, you can take full advantage of its functions during algebra exams. The best part of this nifty little gadget is the stored memory function. You can store all those nasty formulas inside the memory bank of the calculator and view all of them when no one is looking. This eliminates the need of reviewing until the wee hours of morning.
3. Take Notes
Algebra books display a detailed presentation of all the lessons in algebra class. These books are quite comprehensive but notes written by professors on the blackboard (or whiteboard) aren’t always found in those books. These notes can come in the form of solution shortcuts and the simplification of math problems. In the complex world of Algebra, these simplifications are much needed to decrease the level of difficulty of each Algebra lesson. Upon reviewing those notes, you might even realize that algebra isn’t really as bad as you think.
2. Formulas Work Best with Index Cards
I have to tell you, the index card is your best friend when it comes to passing math quizzes. This handy accessory combines the advantages of some of the other methods found in this list. Writing down algebraic formulas on those small pieces of paper can leave a few mental imprints of those formulas. Since the index card is small, you can review anywhere using it, eliminating the need to bring all those large and heavy algebra books. Best of all, you can slide it under your test paper or in your pocket during the exam. With a little stealth, you can view them while you breeze through each item of your exam.
1. Practice!
Just as the cliché statement goes, honesty will always be the best policy as evidenced by this top 10 list. Practicing every problem and mastering the solution for each type of math question can result in a perfect score on any math exam. From the easiest problems to the trickiest problems in algebra, the best form of practice is to solve them all before moving to another topic. Practicing may be tedious but it can give you a test score that will rival the marks of the geekiest math wizards in your class. For all you know, you might really be a true blue math whiz deep down inside.
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