The first thing you will need to do is decide which kinds of examinations you are going to take. Some examinations are based on topics taught at school, while others are based on more difficult problems that you may have to solve using a graphing calculator. Once you have decided which kind of examination you are going to take, you should learn all about it and what kinds of tests will be given. A tutor can help you with this.
One of the main parts of any examination is problem-solving, which means you need to be able to come up with problems that test you, and that you can solve them quickly. This is especially important if you are taking your mathematics test at school. Your teacher is unlikely to have a lot of time to teach you all the different ways to solve problems, so she or he will probably select a few and lecture you on those. However, you are far more likely to grasp concepts if you have help. Whether that is a mathematics tutor or simply a book with tips and techniques, you will find that it helps to brush up on certain concepts when preparing for any examination.
Once you have decided on the kind of examination you will be taking, it is time to start preparing. You can do this either by yourself using textbooks and notes, or getting some help from a tutor. The first thing you will need to do is set a timetable of how much time you want to spend studying for your examination. You will also need to decide whether you want help from a tutor, and if so, where they should come to tutor you.
Many students find it best to work with a tutor at their local college, although you can also take some lessons online, from a variety of sources. You need to set some goals before hand, such as how much time you want to spend studying, and also what subject areas you wish to study. Using a study guide will help you stay focused and on track, while also helping you to see the types of problems you will face on the exam, and therefore giving you the confidence to tackle them with ease.
It is always advisable to set a quiet and relaxing place to take your exam, away from distractions and family or friends. This can be in your home, where you feel at ease, or in a quiet and comfortable room at the library or a college. Make sure that you have your back straight, and do not start to study too early, as this may distract you and cause you to spend less time studying than you intended. You may also choose to take an exam day off, as this will allow your mind to relax and prepare for the exam.
Some people find that taking practice tests helps them get a head start over others, especially when the test format is unknown. If you are not sure what type of exams you will be taking, then you should consider taking some practice exams to see how you fair against others in your age group. This is a great idea before the exam, as it allows you to make notes and work out any possible topics that could be on the exam. Many tutors offer these exams for a fee and can give you a head start in preparation. This will allow you to get to grips with the subjects you will be studying and will give you an idea of how long the exam should take.
Maths help is available from many different organisations, whether they are a school college or University. Often, offering free help will encourage many people to take the exam, as they will know that the tutor is there to help them. If you have paid for tuition fees, you may want to consider paying for the exam so that you can work out how much you are going to need to study. Many students find that the exam is easier if they start working on the problems immediately after registration. It is always best to start working on problems straight away, as this will allow you to work through the theory and apply the correct methods of the subject. Once you have learnt all of the material required for the mathematics exam, you will be able to concentrate on how to answer each question without looking at the rest of the answer sheet.