Year 7 and 8 Exam Revision!

This is an important post about the preparation for the end of year exams. I have spoken about this to the students in both year 7 and 8 and am now writing it down here as a record. the following are some important points to be made about end of year exams.

• Those who revise more do better in general
• You must know what and how to revise (see below)
• You should try to have some structured revision time - perhaps a timetable you stick to.
• Revision and testing is the current system (GCSE, IB) of judging how good you are at mathematics so we need to practise.

BUT

• I would prefer that you see these exams as a chance to show yourself what you can do.
• I would prefer these exams to be a measure of how much you understand rather than how much you revised.
• I prefer to know how you can solve problems on the spot, rather than how much practice of similar problems ou have done.
• The questions often give enough information for you to figure out a solution, even if you have not seen similar questions before.

PLEASE

• Dont worry about exams, DO just think about maths
• Dont panic in exams - DO just try to solve the problems
• Dont focus on overall grade - DO just take one problem at a time
• Believe that you can do things and then think very carefully about them as you do!

Revision Resources

1. Both year 7 and year 8 classes have had a revision courses created on mymaths. The current list of tasks is designed to be preparation for the exams.
2. As well as this, students can go to the 'my results' section on mymaths and review all previously completed  (or not) tasks. Students can refresh their memories of things they did well on and have another crack at the others.
3. Students could visit the relevant moodle pages and download the 'can you' sheets from each module. For example, for year 7 they would go to, 7N1, 7N2, 7N3, 7A1, 7A2, 7A3, 7S1, 7S2, 7S3, 7HD1 and 7HD2. Often the answers are also available there, but students should also have their own versions from the first time round.
4. There will be some time given over to revision in classes ahead of the exams!

Exam details

In both years 7 and 8,

• There is a no calculator paper lasting 55 minutes
• There is a calculator paper lasting 55 minutes
• Each paper has 10 questions worth 5 marks each
• The questions are all based on topics covered this year BUT
• they all depend on understanding acquired in previous years.
• Students have 5 minutes per question with 5 minutes to spare.

Equipment

Students expected to have their own equipment in a clear plastic bag/pencil case including

• Pen
• Pencil
• Sharpener
• Rubber
• Ruler
• Protractor,
• Pair of compasses
• Scientific Calculator

Good Luck!

Divisibility - Year 8

Year 8 are in the middle of this nice puzzle on divisibility. Would be nice to think some of you worked on it together at home! http://www.teachmaths-inthinking.co.uk/activities/divisibility.htm

Year 8 - Ratios

This week we have been doing some more work on ratios following on from our 'World Village' activities. Backing up with practice from mymaths is now the goal so please complete at least 'Ratio Introduction' and 'Ratio dividing 1' from mymaths. If you are doing really well with these then have a go at the problems from nrich listed under the reach for the sky section on the 8N3 page. Eg mixing paint.

Year 8 Maths Challenge

Hi all,

Remember that the maths challenge will take place on Monday 6th May - the first day back after the holidays. You should use the holidays to get some practice. Past papers and solutions can be found here R:\SECONDARY\Maths\New\MathsChallenge\JuniorChallenges on the network when you are in school. Even if you aren't doing the challenge then you could still have a go at some of the questions to see how you do!

Year 7 Sequences!

Calling for creativity. Your homework this week is the 'making sequences' activity outlined on the sheet I have given you. Make some brilliant stuff!

Year 8 - sequences

Since we are in the middle of the sequences treasure hunt! I have set you a mymaths exercise on nth term and another on sequences for you to do today! Good luck!

Year 11

Students were given a whole set of resources for revision today, including some focused revision packs, comprehension exercises and past papers! I printed the first set of questions and these should be the first focus. I will print the other 4 next week! Also, don't forget the booster packs on 'mymaths'. The advice is to try the past paper questions and when you get stuck, head to mymaths for help! Good luck!