Final exam tips for use immediately before the exam GCSE Maths Foundation Final exam tips for use immediately before the exam

Students always forget to divide by 2 GSCE EXAM TIPS 1 Area of a triangle Area = ( base x vertical height ) ÷ 2 Area = (4 x 6) ÷ 2 = 12 𝑐𝑚 2 6 cm Students always forget to divide by 2 4cm

GSCE EXAM TIPS 2 BIDMAS Don’t be caught out by BIDMAS 1 + 2 x 5 = 11 Do the multiplication first When 𝑦= 5 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 4𝑦 2 4 x 5 2 = 4 x 25 = 100 Square y before multiplying by 4

GSCE EXAM TIPS 3 Reciprocals This simply means “1 divided by” Reciprocal of 2 = 1 2 Reciprocal of 4 = 1 4

GSCE EXAM TIPS 4 Differences In Maths differences are always POSITIVE Difference between 8 and 5 = 3 Difference between - 3 and – 8 = 5

GSCE EXAM TIPS 5 The Range The range of a set of data is just one number Find the range of 3 , 6 , 8 , 2 , 10 Range = biggest value - smallest value = 10 – 2 = 8 Correct answer is 8 do not write 10 – 2 as your final answer

GSCE EXAM TIPS 6 Stem and Leaf Diagrams Remember to include a key

GSCE EXAM TIPS 7 Bearings Bearings are angles measured CLOCKWISE from NORTH using 3 figures Bearing of O from A is 040˚ Bearing of A from O is 220˚

GSCE EXAM TIPS 8 Ordering decimals 0.3 0.03 0.299 0.33 Put the following decimals in ASCENDING order 0.3 0.03 0.299 0.33 It is useful to put in extra noughts to ensure all numbers have the same number of digits after the decimal point 0.300 0.030 0.299 0.330 Correct order 0.030 0.299 0.300 0.330

GSCE EXAM TIPS 9 Time 5mins 1 hour 20 mins 9:55 10:00 11:00 11:20 When asked to find differences between times use a counting on method Find difference between 9:55 am and 11:20am 1 hour 25 minutes Use a counting on method 5mins 1 hour 20 mins 9:55 10:00 11:00 11:20 DO NOT TRY TO SUBTRACT AS NORMAL 11:20 - 9 :55 This will give you the incorrect answer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GSCE EXAM TIPS 10 Ratio Alice and Bob share some money in the ratio 1:3 What fraction of money does Alice get ? Total of 4 ratios. Alice has 1 ratio Alice gets 1 4 of the money The common incorrect answer is 1 3

GSCE EXAM TIPS 11 Probability A bag contains 3 red , 3 blue and 4 green counters. I pick one at random find the probability I pick a red counter Answer 3 10 Do not write answer as a ratio 3:10 is incorrect

GSCE EXAM TIPS 12 Speed Distance Time A racing car travels 60 miles in 30 minutes , find its average speed in miles per hour. Units have to be in hours so we need to change 30minutes to 0.5 hours Speed = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 = 60 0.5 = 120 miles per hour Common mistake 60 ÷30=2

GSCE EXAM TIPS 13 Decimals 0.2 x 0.3 = 0.06 common mistake 0.6

GSCE EXAM TIPS 14 Median Make sure numbers are in order before you calculate the median Find median of 4 , 7 , 1 , 5 , 1 In order 1 , 1 , 4 , 5 , 7 Correct answer 4 Common mistake 1

GSCE EXAM TIPS 15 Prime Factors Express 24 as a product of its prime factors, give answer in index form This simply means use “cherry trees” and write answer using powers. 24 3 8 2 4 2 2 Correct final answer 3 x 2 3 Remember product means multiply

GSCE EXAM TIPS 16 Show full method Find 20 % of £10.90 10 % £10.90 ÷10= 1.09 20 % £ 1.09 x 2 = £ 2.18 You must show the green divide by 10 method to find 10% Simply writing 10 % = does not count as a method and you will lose marks if your final answer is incorrect

17 Algebra Collecting like terms GSCE EXAM TIPS 17 Algebra Collecting like terms Simplify 3A + B + 6A – 4B Correct answer 9A – 3B Common mistake 9A + 5B

18 Algebra Expanding Brackets GSCE EXAM TIPS 18 Algebra Expanding Brackets Remember to multiply all terms inside the bracket by whatever is outside the bracket 2 ( Y + 5) = 2Y + 10 Common mistake 2Y + 5 2Y ( Y + 4 ) = 2Y2 +8Y Common mistake 2Y ( Y + 4 ) = 2Y +8Y = 10Y

GSCE EXAM TIPS 19 Transformations When describing an ENLARGEMENT you need to say 3 things 1 Enlargement 2 Scale factor of enlargement 3 Co ordinates of the point the object has been enlarged from

GSCE EXAM TIPS 20 Transformations When describing an REFLECTION you need to say 2 things 1 REFLECTION (do not say it flips ) 2 Equation of the line of reflection

GSCE EXAM TIPS 21 Transformations When describing an ROTATION you need to say 3 things 1 ROTATION ( do not say it turns) 2 Direction ( clockwise or anti clockwise) and angle 3 Co ordinates the object has been rotated about

GSCE EXAM TIPS 22 Transformations When describing an TRANSLATION you need to say 2 things 1 TRANSLATION ( do not say it slides or moves) 2 Number of units moved right/left and up/down 2 −3 You should also be able to recognise that this means Translate a shape 2 units right , 3 units down −1 4 Translate a shape 1 unit left , 4 units up

GSCE EXAM TIPS 23 Graphs Remember to label the axes when drawing graphs Most students often fail to label FREQUENCY on the vertical axis Students also forget to label the X and Y axis Remember “X goes across Y to the sky” FREQUENCY COLOUR

24 Equations of lines you must know GSCE EXAM TIPS 24 Equations of lines you must know Y Y Y X X X X =2 Students always get this wrong Y = 5 Students always get this wrong Y = X

GSCE EXAM TIPS 25 Factorising When factorising you must have the highest common factor(s) outside the bracket. Factorise 4Y + 12 = 4 ( Y +3) Common Mistake 4Y + 12 = 2 ( 2Y + 6) When factorising you must have the highest common factor(s) outside the bracket. Factorise 3x2 – 6x = 3x(x – 2) Common Mistake 3x2 – 6x = 3(x2 – 2x)

GSCE EXAM TIPS 26 Fractions 1 4 + 2 3 = 3 12 + 8 12 = 11 12 When adding or subtracting fractions you must use the lowest common denominator Common mistake 1 4 + 2 3 = 3 7

GSCE EXAM TIPS 27 Indices Add powers when multiplying 𝑥 2 x 𝑥 5 = 𝑥 7 2 2 x 2 4 = 2 6 Subtract powers when dividing 𝑥 10 ÷ 𝑥 5 = 𝑥 5 𝑥 6 𝑥 4 = 𝑥 2

GSCE EXAM TIPS 28 Equations When solving an equation when X appears on both sides MOVE THE SMALLEST X TERM FIRST 5X + 3 = 2X – 12 -2X -2X 3X + 3 = - 12 -3 -3 3X = -15 X = - 5

29 Frequency Tables Pets Frequency Pets x Frequency 12 1 60 2 28 56 Total 100 116 When asked to find the mean form a frequency table remember to create a final end column and multiply pets and frequency Mean = 116 ÷ 100 = 1.16 We divide by 100 as there are 100 people in the survey. Common mistake is to divide by 3 as there are 3 rows in the table. Modal number of pets is 1 ( as this is the highest frequency) Common mistake is to say modal number of pets is 60

GSCE EXAM TIPS 30 QWC Questions marked with an * require you to show all of your workings and be able to write full sentences to explain your answers *

GSCE EXAM TIPS 30 QWC You must use the correct mathematical language when answering any questions on angles. Words in RED must be used *

Vertically opposite angles are equal

Angles on a straight line add up to 180

Angles at a point add up to 360 * DO NOT SAY ANGLES IN A CIRCLE ADD TO 360

Angles in a triangle add up to 180

Base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal X X

Angles in a quadrilateral add up to 360

Alternate angles are equal

Corresponding angles are equal

Allied angles add up to 180

GSCE EXAM TIPS 31 Do not provide two different answers for the same question if only one answer is required Write 1 3 as a decimal 0.3 or The correct answer is but as 0.3 is incorrect you will score no marks for this question

GOOD LUCK GSCE EXAM TIPS FINALLY Check all answers thoroughly. Have you answered every question. Do your answers make sense. Check to see if there is a question on the back page of the exam paper GOOD LUCK