Are Maths Exams getting easier?
The old question that emerges on GCSE results day relating to whether or not Maths exams at GCSE level are indeed getting easier, as more students pass year on year. This is always met with controversy and heated debate. On one side of the argument traditionalists who believe in the old O Level exam system believe that the replacement to the O level system is inadequate and doesn’t prepare students with skills that they need to equip them for the real world, is far easier to pass as shown by the year on year increases in the number of people who pass Maths at GCSE level. Advocates of the GCSE system believe that it is a far better replacement to the O Level system and believe that the GCSE system enables more people to achieve the grades that they deserve, with more emphasis on coursework and less on exams.
Education expert Steven Britton CEO at maths tuition Top Grade Tutoring believes that the truth “lies somewhere in the middle”. Mr Britton reveals a shocking statistic that in the 2011 summer exams it required only 20% to obtain a grade C in GCSE Maths. Mr Britton then goes onto reveal that “The exams are not getting easier but the students are doing worse year on year so in order to compensate for that the grade boundaries are brought down by the exam boards, so in effect students don’t need as many marks to get a C, the equivalent of the old O level pass”. This has been happening ‘year on year’ as it seemingly appears that students are doing better year on year. According to Mr Britton based on current trends unless drastic action is taken to improve Maths skills in the classroom by 2021 students will only need a mere 10% to pass a GCSE Maths exam. When this happens Mr Britton claims “The consequences for the economy and society do not bear thinking about”.
No newcomer to the world of education, Steven Britton has personally taught over a hundred people on a one to one basis on Mathematics, advised the conservative government on numeracy strategy and has developed numerous products on Maths revision, namely the GCSE Maths Master that was developed in partnership with the Princes Trust.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Monday, 1 August 2011
Maths Revision
In this post we will look at 5 essential maths revision tips that are essential for success at GCSE level in Mathematics.
The first tip is preparation. Preparation for gcse maths is essential, be it past exam papers, revision classes, study groups or DVD based revision materials.
The second tip is to list your weaknesses and strengths. Now focus on your weaknesses not your strengths, as this will be wasting time. Go through each weakness and keep practising until you start to improve. If you have any problems overcoming your weaknesses then speak to your teacher, attend study groups or seek out help and advice off the internet.
The third tip is positive mental attitude. Positive thoughts and faith in yourself will help you to stay focused with your maths revision
The fourth tip is not to 'over do' it. Doing too much studying can be counter productive. You will end up feeling tired and will be unable to function, possibly becoming ill. Remember to keep a healthy 'work study balance'
Finally the fifth tip for effective maths revision is to plan your time effectively. Do a study plan or study time table, make sure you don't leave your maths revision to the last minute, as you will be anxious and this may hinder your performance for the exam.
The first tip is preparation. Preparation for gcse maths is essential, be it past exam papers, revision classes, study groups or DVD based revision materials.
The second tip is to list your weaknesses and strengths. Now focus on your weaknesses not your strengths, as this will be wasting time. Go through each weakness and keep practising until you start to improve. If you have any problems overcoming your weaknesses then speak to your teacher, attend study groups or seek out help and advice off the internet.
The third tip is positive mental attitude. Positive thoughts and faith in yourself will help you to stay focused with your maths revision
The fourth tip is not to 'over do' it. Doing too much studying can be counter productive. You will end up feeling tired and will be unable to function, possibly becoming ill. Remember to keep a healthy 'work study balance'
Finally the fifth tip for effective maths revision is to plan your time effectively. Do a study plan or study time table, make sure you don't leave your maths revision to the last minute, as you will be anxious and this may hinder your performance for the exam.
Friday, 22 April 2011
GCSE Biology Revision
Here is the final free clip from the GCSE Master Science. The following clip contains a free clip from the Biology section.
Saturday, 16 April 2011
GCSE Physics anybody?
Here is a another clip taken from the GCSE Master Science DVD. In this clip Isaac Newton's laws are discussed:
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Another free GCSE Science sample
Another free sample from the GCSE Science master. In this clip the Photosynthesis is looked at.
Monday, 21 March 2011
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Successful Study Tips
Some of the best maths tutors use these tricks to help their students excel at the exam. Nothing can replace the practice in the areas of mathematics, then you need to repeal a time each day totals, formulas, tables, work, etc..
It's like working on your tennis or swimming. You do not need more than a necessity exceed hours of practice every day. The secret lies in regularity of your sessions. If there is difficulty in the management of some parts of the GCSE mathematics course, do not worry, but always come back to it in training and will improve soon.
Instead of going in for a marathon practice session, try and space your practice hours. Handle the GCSE mathematics course in bits and pieces from the division of time of review in areas such as shapes, spaces and measures, numbers, algebra and data management.
You can then mix and match your sessions according to your choice on a daily or weekly bases with different sections.
Even before you schedule your practice sessions you can play Java games available for free on the Internet.
These games improve your math skills without making any effort that you.
Ask a friend to join you and both of you can prepare quizzes and mock tests for each other too. Start a collection of curiosities, that mathematics.
One of the best ways of remembering a wide range of formulas and concepts is to prepare a bunch of about 50 small card-paper pieces. Spend an evening going through the entire holiday make GCSE maths course.
Place these pieces of paper randomly in all the pockets of your clothes and put some up on your bedroom walls.
Each time the chance of this paper, take a deep breath and studied for 30 seconds.
You will be amazed at what you would have learned after six months.
Do not spend too much time, so with all the formulas for hard spheres, planes.
Just familiarize yourself with these tedious formulas because they will be there in the formula sheet you get at the GCSE maths exam.
What you should focus on learning is the simplest formula, and with them a true speed calculations.
This will improve your overall efficiency at the maths exams.
Spend extra energy to do your rates because they represent as much as 20 percent of the total score.
It will also keep you away from stress when you finally attempt your GCSE maths exam.
Also, scientists use many simple ways to manage numbers link to see how, if a six-digit number is divisible by a single digit or not.
You can make a diary of all these 'short-cal methods' and attempt your GCSE maths exam with greater confidence.
Most of them methods of short-cal are a number of sites on the Internet.
Getting a high grade at your GCSE maths can be effortless if you try these simple methods of studying for at least six months.
For more information about GCSE Maths please visit www.topmathsdvd.co.uk
It's like working on your tennis or swimming. You do not need more than a necessity exceed hours of practice every day. The secret lies in regularity of your sessions. If there is difficulty in the management of some parts of the GCSE mathematics course, do not worry, but always come back to it in training and will improve soon.
Instead of going in for a marathon practice session, try and space your practice hours. Handle the GCSE mathematics course in bits and pieces from the division of time of review in areas such as shapes, spaces and measures, numbers, algebra and data management.
You can then mix and match your sessions according to your choice on a daily or weekly bases with different sections.
Even before you schedule your practice sessions you can play Java games available for free on the Internet.
These games improve your math skills without making any effort that you.
Ask a friend to join you and both of you can prepare quizzes and mock tests for each other too. Start a collection of curiosities, that mathematics.
One of the best ways of remembering a wide range of formulas and concepts is to prepare a bunch of about 50 small card-paper pieces. Spend an evening going through the entire holiday make GCSE maths course.
Place these pieces of paper randomly in all the pockets of your clothes and put some up on your bedroom walls.
Each time the chance of this paper, take a deep breath and studied for 30 seconds.
You will be amazed at what you would have learned after six months.
Do not spend too much time, so with all the formulas for hard spheres, planes.
Just familiarize yourself with these tedious formulas because they will be there in the formula sheet you get at the GCSE maths exam.
What you should focus on learning is the simplest formula, and with them a true speed calculations.
This will improve your overall efficiency at the maths exams.
Spend extra energy to do your rates because they represent as much as 20 percent of the total score.
It will also keep you away from stress when you finally attempt your GCSE maths exam.
Also, scientists use many simple ways to manage numbers link to see how, if a six-digit number is divisible by a single digit or not.
You can make a diary of all these 'short-cal methods' and attempt your GCSE maths exam with greater confidence.
Most of them methods of short-cal are a number of sites on the Internet.
Getting a high grade at your GCSE maths can be effortless if you try these simple methods of studying for at least six months.
For more information about GCSE Maths please visit www.topmathsdvd.co.uk
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