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Ace Your GCSE Maths Exam – Time Management and Tips
Introduction
Excelling in GCSE Maths requires both subject mastery and strategic exam techniques. This guide covers proven methods to maximize your score.
1. Time Management Strategies
Plan Your Time
- 1–1.5 minutes per mark (e.g., 10 marks = 10–15 minutes).
- Reserve 5–10 minutes at the end for review.
Prioritize Questions
- First pass: Answer all quick/sure questions.
- Second pass: Tackle multi-step problems.
2. Tackling Multi-Mark Questions
Example: Solving Quadratics
Solve 
:
- Factorise:
![\[ (x+2)(x+3) = 0 \]](https://i0.wp.com/on22.com/wp-content/ql-cache/quicklatex.com-eb6a323eb4925625996f23bbcf5a6474_l3.png?resize=141%2C19&ssl=1 "Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com")
- Solutions:
![\[ x = -2 \quad \text{or} \quad x = -3 \]](https://i0.wp.com/on22.com/wp-content/ql-cache/quicklatex.com-e2c6a2553b5fc2bd487d29519e01e6b5_l3.png?resize=164%2C12&ssl=1 "Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com")
Key Tips
- Show working: Even partial answers earn marks.
- Label steps: Write “Step 1”, “Step 2” for clarity.
| Marks | Recommended Time |
|---|---|
| 1–3 marks | 2–4 minutes |
| 4–6 marks | 5–8 minutes |
3. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Misreading questions: Circle key terms like “show that” or “calculate”.
- Unit errors: Always include units (e.g.,
, 
). - Rounding too early: Keep exact values until the final step.
Final Checklist
- ✅ Attempt every question
- ✅ Review calculations
- ✅ Verify units and labels
Pro Tip: Practise with timed past papers to build speed and accuracy.
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