HSC Mathematics | How to Excel in Internal Assessment - Part 2
Type 1: Year 12 Mathematics In Class Test
If the assessment is an in-class test, make sure you start studying at least 3 weeks before the assessment date. I personally would say take 2 weeks to STUDY the content (write notes of concepts, summaries, do exercise questions etc.) then spend the final week just smashing out exam past papers.
Even if you don’t know what topics will be tested it is easy to guess. It is most likely going to be the previous topics you have covered but have not been tested on and part of the current topic you are doing. So study for that before notification comes out.
Doing homework is NOT studying if your intention is to simply get it done for your teacher to check. I never did my homework, I just studied. My teachers were always surprised by the amount of “visible effort” I put in and the marks I received.
Example:
Teacher sets Ex 4.03 Q1-10 to do for homework.
I leave out Q1-5 as those are generally the “basic” questions which require no thinking and instead I attempt Q6-10 AND Q11-13 which are extension challenge questions which requires thinking, multiple sets of skills and knowledge as well as creativity. However, say that I don’t understand the concept very well. I might spend a bit of time on Q4-5 to test out whether I at least answer the questions.
Question 1 Differentiate the function
Question 5 Find the equation of the tangent to
When I do the questions, I don’t do it slowly and neatly either. I’d rather be efficient and do 2 more question while my friend is ruling up their margin or using liquid paper. All that wasted time adds up over the course of a year. Below is a typical page from my Year 12 study book. Not exactly something you show your teacher.
Another benefit I gained from this approach towards study was that I conditioned myself to write fast and during an exam (combined with lightning speed mental arithmetic) I was able to do the test TWICE. Yes, I can normally finish an exam (albeit not as neat) in half the time. I use the other half of my time to CHECK all my work by:
REDOING the question as if I have never seen it before (sometimes with an alternative method)
Using my calculator to substitute numbers in
Using my answer to check the question.
Example (Method 3)
Part (i): No need to check, if you prove LHS = RHS (without fudging) you’ve done it.
Part (ii):
I type in my calculator
I type on my calculator (only use radian mode for sectors, arc lengths)
That’s FULL MARKS! Guaranteed!!
I will show examples of other techniques in class. Redeem your trial lesson here.
Regardless of what you do, the key take away is ask yourself one simple question. Why am I doing this?If your answer is to tick the boxes and tell yourself “I’ve done enough” then your WHY is not enough.
If your answer is to achieve better marks, to prove to yourself that “I am are capable” then your WHY will take you to heights you never thought were possible.
“A person who does something just to get it done will never do as good as a job as a person who does something with a higher or more meaningful purpose” – Quan 2020
Type 2: Year 12 Mathematics Assignment
If the assessment is an assignment, well I never did Math assignments in high school as they weren’t around then. However, I now WRITE them so here are the secrets I am going to share:
Use GOOGLE, most questions on assignments have probably been asked by someone around the world at some point ever since the internet was invented. There is a high chance that if you type up the question onto Google (word for word) something will come up that will be an EXACT copy of the questions (in which case put it into your own words to avoid plagiarism and actually UNDERSTAND it) or something that is SIMILAR (might be different numbers in which case just substitute it with your numbers/information). The only exception to this rule is if your teacher is someone who is dedicated enough to make their own assignments.
Assignments, especially Math is very hard to police so you can use that to your advantage by checking your work with your friends. Even if there are differences in the assignment the main thing you want to cross check is your understanding as well as the validity of the method you used for the questions.
Make sure you have the assignment done 3 days before it is due to give ample time to check your work and be sure you are happy with it. A common mistake many students make is they want to “hand it in and get it over and done with”. Try to avoid this attitude as it prevents you from checking your work thoroughly.
Don’t be afraid to double-check your work with your teacher. If you have shown that you have put in the effort (and are somewhat likeable), teachers will most likely tell you whether you are on the right track and provide guidance.
Type 3: Year 12 Mathematics HSC Trials
This is known to be the most stressful period of Year 12 as it is the FIRST time when all topics are tested. My advice, take a trial of the Trial Exams, enrol in Phoenix Education Year 12 Mock Exam there is nothing better to prepare for “Trials” than to take a practice exam which simulates the environment (time pressure, exam being marked, competition) as well as giving you VALUABLE feedback before you take the actual exam. This also kicks you into gear well before your Trials in August as it forces you to prepare by early July and REFINE your knowledge and skills.
Make a plan at the beginning of the holidays before term 4 of Year 12 and determine how you are going to study each of the topics.
Example:
Do summary notes once and write out main ideas/concepts. DO NOT practice by writing them over and over again. Instead do questions!!
Learn the basic concepts of each topic before moving onto the more advanced questions. Believe it or not the hardest questions in the exam actually rely upon the most fundamental concepts.
Take for example, this question from HSC Math Standard 2 2019
Many students failed to see the connection between the GST total and the value of “A” with many also failing to apply the GST correctly. They remember it’s something to do with 11 but don’t know why.
The main problem with many students is they learn HOW to do something but never learn or question WHY it works. My math teacher once told me “you never truly understand something until you can prove it”. Who knows how to prove Pythagoras’s Theorem right now?
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