Introduction
Math is a subject that strikes terror in the hearts of many young students. Yet, learning the basics of mathematics and incorporating a few habits in your study routine can work wonders in dispelling your fear of numerical subjects. Listed below are our top 5 ways to learn math skills and prepare for placement tests.
5 Best Ways to Improve Math Skills
1) Understand the Basics: A strong foundation in the basics is imperative for improving your maths skills and cracking difficult sums. Invest time in perfecting your basic arithmetic, geometry, algebra, trigonometry, etc. Acquaint yourself with standard formulae and theorems in these areas and their application.
2) Practice Regularly: Rigorous practice is the only way to achieve excellence in mathematics. As you learn new concepts and theories, apply them in your practice sessions, moving from simpler to more difficult sums as you progress. Try doing mental maths whenever possible. This will sharpen your critical aptitude and give you a feel for numbers. With sufficient practice, one can even gauge the approximate result of a large sum without doing any calculations.
3) Learn From Your Mistakes: No one learns maths without making mistakes. Give them special attention, and see if you can find a pattern in your errors. This might help you identify your weak points and address them. If you are tripping in the same area repeatedly, that might be a sign that you need to revise your basics in that area.
4) Speed and Precision: Both these qualities are essential in advanced mathematics and only come with time and practice. Time yourself during your problem-solving sessions. Aim to set a new personal record each week. As you get precise with your techniques, your time taken per sum will automatically reduce.
5) Seek Guidance: If you are having trouble understanding or applying a concept, reach out to your teachers for help. You can also find countless resources online on YouTube, Google, etc.
How to Prepare for Placement Tests
Create a study schedule for yourself so you get ample time to practise and revise before the main exam. Placement exams test your skills as well as your speed. Learn to manage your time smartly in an exam setting. Have a plan for how much time you will spend on each question and ensure you don’t exceed that limit. Starting with the sums you are confident about helps in this regard.
Be calm and confident when writing your exam, and pay extreme attention to detail to avoid making silly mistakes. Make sure you memorise all relevant formulae and theorems and utilise all the maths tricks and shortcuts you know to save time. Most crucially, take proper care of your well-being during the exam season.
Conclusion
Preparing for placement assessments always feels scary, but by following these simple steps and mastering the basics of mathematics, you can easily ace any exam. Practice and understanding are the twin pillars of mathematical expertise, master these two, and you too can be a mathematical genius in no time.
