Q&A for How to Get Good Grades in Math

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  • Question
    How can I raise my grades?
    Daron Cam
    Academic Tutor
    Daron Cam is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of Bay Area Tutors, Inc., a San Francisco Bay Area-based tutoring service that provides tutoring in mathematics, science, and overall academic confidence building. Daron has over eight years of teaching math in classrooms and over nine years of one-on-one tutoring experience. He teaches all levels of math including calculus, pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, and SAT/ACT math prep. Daron holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a math teaching credential from St. Mary's College.
    Academic Tutor
    Expert Answer
    Take good notes that will help you with your homework. While you don't need to write everything down, make sure you get all the steps you need to solve for problems on your homework.
  • Question
    How can I focus in my math class?
    Daron Cam
    Academic Tutor
    Daron Cam is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of Bay Area Tutors, Inc., a San Francisco Bay Area-based tutoring service that provides tutoring in mathematics, science, and overall academic confidence building. Daron has over eight years of teaching math in classrooms and over nine years of one-on-one tutoring experience. He teaches all levels of math including calculus, pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, and SAT/ACT math prep. Daron holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a math teaching credential from St. Mary's College.
    Academic Tutor
    Expert Answer
    Ask your teacher if you can sit up front so you'll be less likely to get distracted. It also helps to take notes and ask questions during class to keep yourself focused.
  • Question
    What do I do if I study really hard for math tests, but still get low grades?
    Community Answer
    Review your mistakes and learn from them. If you keep struggling with the same concepts, talk to your teacher, and double-check your work during your next exam.
  • Question
    What can I do if I am scared to ask the teacher about something I do not understand?
    Community Answer
    You could ask a friend, and if you think your friend doesn't explain enough, go to your parents. If your parents confuse you more, you'll just have to work up the courage and talk to the teacher.
  • Question
    What is the best time of day to study, and for how long?
    Community Answer
    Whenever works for you. Just not in the morning before school, because information sinks in best if you get some sleep after studying. For how long really depends on how much work you have and how long it takes for you to understand the material. If you've been struggling in math, maybe add an extra 30-60 minutes a day to reviewing and practicing math, then you can reduce it a little once you're caught up.
  • Question
    I have tried everything but I forget all the theories I was taught during the exams! What to do?
    Community Answer
    Use flashcards. Flashcards are really helpful for learning and remembering well. To make it easier, you can go to Quizlet to make your own set of flashcards.
  • Question
    How do I get A's in math?
    Community Answer
    Hard work is key to success. Maths is a difficult subject to many people and it requires your foremost attention. Do all the text book questions more than once. Buy reference books if possible. Solve sample papers and do a lot of questions for practice.You will surely succeed.
  • Question
    I study hard in math and feel like I understand it, but then panic and forget how to do it once a test comes. How can I stop failing my math tests?
    Community Answer
    Start by getting a math tutor or going to extra math classes before or after school to help you be prepared. You can also get a study buddy to review with after math class. Once you're more prepared, avoid nerves at test time by drinking peppermint tea to help you focus during the test.
  • Question
    What to do when you still get bad score ?
    Community Answer
    Try talking to your instructor. Let him/her know you're trying and that you're serious about improving your grade.
  • Question
    How do I make friends during exams?
    Community Answer
    You don't. You want to focus your full attention on your work and make sure you are not distracted with other things. The best time to make friends is at recess and lunch.
  • Question
    Is math hard in fifth grade/year?
    Community Answer
    It depends on whether you think you can do the math or not. If you can't, it will seem hard but you'll need to work harder, listen more and practice a lot to improve your understanding. Talk to your teacher and/or parents if you're finding it difficult because this is a good time to get on top of any misunderstandings, before elementary/primary school is finished with.
  • Question
    How can I get rid of mistakes in the calculation even when my steps of solving are right?
    Community Answer
    Double-check your work. Show your work on the test/quiz, and ask your teacher after class if she can walk you through where you went wrong.
  • Question
    What if the teacher has an accent and is hard to understand?
    Community Answer
    You may need to seek outside help at that point, either from another teacher in the subject or a tutor.
  • Question
    What can I do if I am ashamed of my low grade in front of the class?
    Community Answer
    Just use that embarrassment as motivation for working harder. Everyone has classes that they struggle in, including your peers, so they understand what it feels like to be ashamed of a bad grade. The best thing to do is avoid any bad grades in the future by studying harder.
  • Question
    I'm in fifth grade and math is very hard. I'm in a gifted program which makes it even harder. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one struggling. Should I tell my teacher? I am afraid I will get in trouble.
    Community Answer
    Yes, tell your teacher and ask your parents if you can have a tutor.
  • Question
    How do you pass 5th grade math?
    Community Answer
    Passing 5th grade math is the same as passing any other level of math. You'll need to come to class prepared, do the homework every night, spend some time studying every day, and prepare for the tests and quizzes.
  • Question
    How can I form a study group?
    Community Answer
    Think of other students you think could benefit from or would be interested in a study group. It can be nice to have a mix of students who are pretty good at math and those who need to improve so the stronger students can help the weaker ones.
  • Question
    I make mistakes on exams that I don't make when I'm studying. How can I improve my test taking skills?
    Community Answer
    Most of the time, you tend to forget things if you are panicked or in a rush. The key is to relax, even though it may seem almost impossible to do, it will help you much more on the test.
  • Question
    I try my best in not stressing out during exams, especially math, but I can't help it. Even though I practice hard, I keep on having negative thoughts. What do I do?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    It's a fact that some people simply never get completely comfortable with math. That's not a criticism. It's just reality. That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep working at it. Try your best. Ask questions whenever you need help. (Some people like helping others! That includes most teachers.) But don't beat yourself up over it. People who don't like math usually find their way into lives that don't need it. (Again, that doesn't mean you shouldn't keep trying to do your best. It's a good habit to instill in yourself.)
  • Question
    To get an A+ in math, is it necessary to revise every day without a break?
    Community Answer
    It is always a good idea to revise every day, even if it's only for 20 minutes or so. It's okay to take breaks now and then so you don't get frustrated or burned out.
  • Question
    I study for a few days before the test. The day of the test, I forget everything and get a bad score. I've talked to my teacher, and I still am confused. I don't want a tutor either. How can I fix this?
    Community Answer
    When you study a few days before the test, you are most likely packing an entire chapter that took weeks to teach into a few hours. You stress yourself out and get distracted. You need to study up to weeks before a test, and make sure you know the information.
  • Question
    How can I have a perfect score in math?
    Community Answer
    You will need to study hard and stay dedicated to getting a perfect score on every assignment and test that you have.
  • Question
    What can I do if I fail to focus in class, and don't understand my teacher either?
    Community Answer
    If you find you can't focus in class, the best thing to do is to talk to your teacher about it. Your teacher may seem superior, but they don't want to give you bad grades, they want to help you and teach you. So tell them that you are having trouble focusing, from there you can work together to find a solution. Tell them about exactly what you're having trouble understanding, too. Can you not read the blackboard? Is he/she going through the material too quickly for you? Regardless of the cause, they should have some ideas on how to help.
  • Question
    What can I do if my teacher can't even explain the basics in math and hence can't help me in improving my grades?
    Community Answer
    If your school offers tutoring or if your parents are willing to hire a private tutor, take advantage of those opportunities. You could also form a study group with some of your classmates and help each other learn. If the situation is really bad and you don't think this person has any business teaching at all, talk to the principal about it.
  • Question
    What if I'm too scared to ask the teacher for help?
    Community Answer
    Don't be. Remember that your teacher is there to help you and will probably be happy that you've taken the initiative to get more help for yourself. Just take a deep breath and tell him/her that you need help.
  • Question
    What if I focus hard on the exam and time just runs out?
    Community Answer
    Try to manage time well. Do the easy problems first and, with the remaining time, try to work out the hard problems. Don't spend too much time on one thing.
  • Question
    How can I be more careful when I take math exams?
    Community Answer
    Don't rush. If you go too fast, you probably won't do as well. Highlight key information in every problem, and double-check your answers.
  • Question
    What can I do if I'm still having trouble after following this guide?
    Community Answer
    Talk to your teacher and ask if they can give you extra help before or after school. If that's not possible, ask your parents if they can hire a tutor for you.
  • Question
    What if I'm really scared I will get bad grades?
    Community Answer
    Ask your parents to give you a pep talk, or even give yourself one. Repeat over and over that you know that it'll all be okay. Chances are, it will.
  • Question
    I understand the concepts but during the exam I am not able to focus. What can I do?
    Maija Brandt
    Community Answer
    Try using a fidget, like silly putty, to help you focus. If you end up getting more distracted, then talk to your teacher or a trusted adult on other methods that might work better.
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