We have a BIG problem with Maths and Science education in the UK. Internationally we are 27th and 16th respectively in league tables and domestically over 41% of our students failed to achieve maths grade C in 2011. Whilst our competitors have raced ahead we have, in the words of the OECD’s Director of Education, ‘stagnated’.
As they say 'every little helps' and the aim of Mathsmadeeasy is to improve maths achievement in the UK through written resources and coaching.
SATS (Standard Assessment Tests) tests are given at the end of year 2 and year 6. They are used to show your child's progress compared with other children born in the same month. For KS1, each child is assessed in reading, writing (including spelling and handwriting), maths (including number, shape, space and measurement) and science. For KS2 tests cover the three core subjects, English, Maths and Science.
Years 7 to year 9 span the period called key stage 3, culminating in the Maths, English and Science SATs tests.
By the age of 14, most children are expected to achieve level 5. These exams are often used to decide which GSCE set your child will be in.
General Certificate of Secondary Education, usually taken from ages 14 - 16 years.
Start in year 10, a two year GCSE course can be either modular (exams over two years) or linear (exams at the end). Two exam papers are taken at Foundation (achieving up to grade C) or Higher tiers (up to A*). Level 2 Key Skills = A*-C and Level 1 = D-G
AS Mathematics or Physics in year 12, has three modules usually examined in January or June. A2 Maths or Physics, a further three modules in year 13, completes the A-level course. AS and A2 are both 50% of the full A Level. The information provided is based on the OCR board, but will be applicable to other exam boards.
Go over your brilliant notes, speaking them out loud - you'll remember them more if you hear as well as read. Better still, record your notes onto tape so that you can replay them while relaxing or just before going to bed. This is a really good way to absorb information!
Answer questions in your text book. There are so many that you're almost sure to cover almost all the question types that'll come up in your exams.
Work with friends, asking each other questions and teaching each other difficult topics. Have fun with this!
Don't overdo it - revise in short blocks (half an hour is normally good) and have lots of breaks.
Don't revise with loud music or other distractions, such as TV on in the background. Silence is best, very soft music is next best.
Be aware of how you are feeling, both physically and mentally. If you feel bad, get more rest, take a break, do something enjoyable, eat healthy stuff - just do something different.
Keep your goals in mind - the benefits of getting good grades. You need all the motivation you can get! Positive mental attitude - you can do it! You don't have to be perfect - just get the % you need for the grade you want.
Try to have regular times for going to bed and getting up; your body and mind will work better.
Avoid caffeine-packed coffee, tea and cola late at night. Preferably avoid them altogether - caffeine puts the body under stress. You don't need stress before exams!
The night before can be hard. Don't start revising completely new areas, it'll just freak you out. Instead, stick to key points and summaries, rather than big chunks of text. If it feels like nothing's going in, don't worry. Whatever revision you do now will pay off later. Finally, get a decent night's sleep and you'll perform better.
KS2 Maths