Jovana, May 20, 2019
Our students will be well-versed in this already, but it is worth reminding them that they should compartmentalise the examination into three sections.
Section 1 - which is typically questions one to fifteen (or so) - These will be fairly standard questions to help students settle in to the examinations. Here, students should work quickly but efficiently through the paper, making sure to read the questions fully and show full working. Remember to check that you have answered the question and given your answer to the requested degree of accuracy. Typically, our cohort of students should be aiming for full marks here, and have done so consistently for a number of months now. Relax, get to question fifteen, take a breather knowing the first third is done! If you do find a question hard here, don't panic, leave it out and come back at the end.
Section 2 - which is typically questions sixteen to twenty-two (or so) - This is the lion's share of the paper, which will be testing your Year 10 and 11 knowledge. This is the section which we should take our time over. Identify which section of the course this is testing and then recall the worksheet or lesson we have taught on this topic. Clear and careful algebra is often a key here. Remember to signpost, telling the examiner what you're doing; e.g. area of the cylinder = or P(red,red). If this section takes a full hour, so be it. This will be the main body of the paper that will help propel us to a level 8.
Section 3 - which is typically questions twenty-three to twenty-five (or so) - This is the level 9 material. Here, the level 9 sheets which I have written will be useful revision. See if you can identify any of the taught methods to employ here. Remember that if each of these questions is 5 marks, you can certainly aim to score at least two to three marks in each with application of one the methods I have taught you through working through the level 9 sheets. Don't worry if you look at one of these questions and have no idea where to go; that's the point! Take your time and think about some of the tough problem-solving techniques I've taught you. Might any of these work? Does it look like something we've seen before in the level 9 sheets or previous past papers? If you try a method and it doesn't work, remember that clear working can score you some of the marks. The aim here isn't to write perfect solutions (as it is earlier in the paper) but these questions are designed to test how you think, and to differentiate between the level 8 and level 9 candidates.
This year has seen the cohort of Year 11 students complete more papers and revision than in any previous year at Trefoil Tutors. Students can certainly go into tomorrow with a lot of confidence, knowing that they have worked incredibly hard. Remember, mathematics isn't a subject you cram in at the end, it takes time and hard-work, both of which you have given this year. Review your notes, past papers and level 9 sheets today. I am very proud of each of you for your endeavour and diligence this year and would like to wish you all the very best for the examination tomorrow.
If the students have any last minute questions, I will be in the office all day today, so please do not hesitate to get in touch. Relax, you know your stuff, ladies and gents!
Kind regards,
Vivek
