Q&A for How to Improve Your Math Grade

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • 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 at the front of the room where you'll be less likely to be distracted. Taking notes and asking questions during class are also good ways to stay focused on what you're learning.
  • Question
    How can I practice for a math test?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Talk to your teacher about which material will be on the test, and review that material in your textbook and notes. If your textbook includes quizzes or practice problems, do as many of them as possible. You can also ask your teacher or professor if they have old tests or quizzes you can take on your own for practice, since this will give you a good sense of what the real test will be like.
  • Question
    Why is math so hard?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Math involves working with a lot of complex concepts and doing a lot of memorization, both of which can be tricky. For many people, it’s also a matter of interest—if working with numbers doesn’t excite you, it can be hard to focus on learning all those complicated ideas. Look for ways to make math more interesting and fun, like thinking of each problem as a game, puzzle, or magic trick. You might find that it starts becoming easier!
  • Question
    How can I get good at high school math?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Getting good at any level of math involves lots of practice. Take careful notes in class and do all the practice problems in your textbook or workbook. If you’re having trouble understanding a concept, talk to your teacher or a classmate who’s good at math. You might also look into working with a tutor. Some high schools even offer free tutoring services.
  • Question
    How can I avoid humiliating myself in front of my friends in math?
    Community Answer
    If you're embarrassed about things like grades or marks, then remind yourself that grades aren't for comparing with others. They're there to help set your own personal targets, so you know how much you need to improve. Don't feel embarrassed or discouraged if your friends get higher marks. Their marks shouldn't be relevant to your own study, and vice versa.
  • Question
    How can I improve my confidence in math?
    Community Answer
    Remember that everyone starts somewhere and that if you work hard and try, there should be no reason why you should fail. You may be unsure of yourself like I am, but trying in itself is a good thing. Knowing you tried and seeing the improvement is fulfilling in and of itself. Remember that even if you are rubbish at it, practicing is a fulfilling method. Putting your hand up in class is a daunting task and getting the answer wrong is absolutely mortifying, but feel proud of those little moments of gallantry and fiber.
  • Question
    My math teacher always favors others. How do I deal?
    Community Answer
    Your teacher should not base your grades on anything other than your actual performance. If he/she does, you should talk about it to your parents and the principal. If he/she favors certain students but doesn't let it affect grades, don't worry about it. Just do your best on your assignments and tests, and try to participate in class.
  • Question
    Do we need to practice to be good at math?
    Community Answer
    Yes, practice makes perfect. Usually, doing the problems assigned for homework is enough practice, but if you're struggling, you may want to do extra problems until you can consistently solve them correctly.
  • Question
    How can I get better at math?
    Community Answer
    Start doing math problems regularly to get extra practice. Focus in class. Most importantly, try to enjoy math for the wonderful subject it is.
  • Question
    I used to be good in math, but now I struggle. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Find what you are doing poor at and do some extra work on it or ask your teacher what mistakes are you making.
  • Question
    What if the teacher asks a random question to which I don't know the answer?
    Community Answer
    First, try to sit away from people who distract you; that way you can stay focused. If you still don't understand the material, be honest with your teacher; he or she will help you.
  • Question
    How do I improve my math studying skills?
    Community Answer
    Talk to your teacher, friends in the same or higher level, family that can help etc. There are also plenty of websites you can go to to get help with math without having to directly talk to someone. When doing homework, talking to yourself on why the problem is done a certain way can help. Try teaching someone and have them ask you questions. These will help you grasp the content. If this doesn't work, practice, practice, practice.
  • Question
    How can I focus in class?
    Community Answer
    Don't bring any distractions like your phone, a book, another class' homework, etc. One thing that distracts some students is bringing a calculator and using it when not needed.
  • Question
    How do I relearn the basics of math?
    Community Answer
    Use a textbook for guidance. A good textbook, available on Amazon or at a bookstore, will review basic principles and include practice questions so you can use your new skills.
  • Question
    How can I become more efficient at math?
    Community Answer
    Pay attention in class, review concepts every day and talk to your instructor if you have problems.
  • Question
    What should I do if I still get bad grades in math despite a good effort?
    Community Answer
    Try looking for a math tutor who has been highly trained and is well recommended. The one-on-one tuition will help enormously.
  • Question
    Where can I get help if I'm horrible in math?
    Community Answer
    Look for help online or ask one of your friends or peers. Sometimes you can even go to a teacher after school for help.
  • Question
    How can I help my child improve?
    Community Answer
    Work on his homework together, talk to his teacher and try to make math a part of everyday life in your home. For example, if you are cooking, talk about fractions, or if you go shopping together, calculate change or taxes.
  • Question
    How can I stay focused during math class, since it happens to be a very boring but important subject?
    Community Answer
    As you said, it's important. Just tell yourself that - "This is important and I WILL pay attention." Remind yourself that it's only an hour or so out of your day (however long class is). Make sure you keep distractions like electronics put away and don't sit near people you are likely to start chatting with.
  • Question
    How do I overcome my innate shyness to get help from my teacher?
    Community Answer
    If you want better grades you can't afford to be shy. Ask frequent questions and you will get comfortable with your teacher.
  • Question
    How can I better learn the chapters in my textbook?
    Community Answer
    Read the book backwards. Go to the questions at the end first. Then, look at the headings and subdivision of the chapter.
  • Question
    How can I stop being talkative during math time?
    Community Answer
    Try to sit away from people who will distract you. Make sure to tell your friends that you need some quiet space to work productively by yourself.
  • Question
    What do I do if I can't find a tutor?
    Community Answer
    The internet has many tutorials and guides that are worth checking out. There are also YouTube videos designed to help with mastering certain math concepts.
  • Question
    How can I be confident when taking a math exam?
    Community Answer
    Practice and study! If you can get a little better at something, then you can get a lot better. Just practice the skill until you can do it with your eyes closed. If you don't know how to do it in the first place, go to your teacher and ask for help. There are also great websites like Khan Academy that will walk you through many topics.
  • Question
    What if the teacher gives hard homework, I don't understand the material, and I have a mental disorder?
    Community Answer
    Talk to the teacher and tell them you're having trouble. If possible, bring a note from your doctor about your disorder so that the teacher can understand the specifics and change adjust your assignments or their lesson plan as needed.
  • Question
    How do I get into Harvard?
    Community Answer
    You have to study extremely hard and get excellent grades. Harvard is a really good university. Study hard in everything.
  • Question
    How do I improve in math without failing when I am trying to get a good mark?
    Community Answer
    Ask your teacher about what you're doing wrong and see if there's any extra credit you can do. Most likely, if your teacher sees that you are honestly trying to do better and are willing to put in the effort, your teacher will be excited to help you.
  • Question
    How do I improve my math skills after practicing and getting a tutor?
    Community Answer
    Ask a math teacher for help before/after school or during lunch breaks. If you have a friend who's good in math, work with her to improve.
  • Question
    How do I not make careless mistakes in math?
    Community Answer
    Just go over everything at least twice. Double-check your work, and get help with anything you don't understand.
  • Question
    What do I do if my teacher is not helpful?
    Community Answer
    There are many online tutoring websites you can choose from to help you. Also, you can search a video on the topic and watch it multiple times.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article