Maths across the curriculum: revision tips for students
22 April 2024
Steven Walker, Maths Subject Advisor
As a maths teacher I was used to some students complaining that they couldn’t see the importance of the topics studied in the maths lesson. I found some of the most rewarding parts of being a teacher were when students took the initiative to ask for help with the areas of maths that they thought were important. Here are some suggestions for supporting students with the maths they will encounter across the curriculum.
Keep the maths in perspective
Maths may not be your favourite subject, but there is no need to panic about the small amount of maths in your favourite subject. Whilst there is a requirement to do maths in most subjects, it will only be a small proportion of the total marks in an exam. The mathematical aspect of the questions set will be routine for the subject. Remember that the only time where maths is the major assessment feature will be your actual maths exams.
Understand the fundamentals
Ensure you have a solid grasp of the basic mathematical concepts and principles before moving on to solving problems in the context of your subject. We have a number of subject specific maths guides (find your subject’s qualification support pages), and there are Check In tests for the maths qualifications which will provide a range of more generic practice questions to hone your maths skills (ask your teacher to download the appropriate topic tests for you from Teach Cambridge).
Practice regularly
Maths is a subject that requires regular practice. Work through plenty of example problems, past exam papers, and additional exercises to hone your problem-solving skills and familiarise yourself with various problem types. Attempt questions without looking at the mark scheme to experience the genuine problem-solving aspect of the questions. Remember that the mark scheme does not provide a model answer, just the key aspects that support a successful solution.
Students have access to all past papers, except the latest 2023 series, via the student past paper finder.
Seek help when needed
Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you encounter difficulties with specific concepts or problems. Your maths teacher will be only too happy to demonstrate how useful maths is to solve those problems you are interested in. Bear in mind that a maths teacher may not fully understand a subject specific context but will be able to explain the maths done in any neatly set out worked examples. Online support resources may also be available to explain the techniques used in your subject.
Understand your calculator
Don’t get caught up worrying about your arithmetic skills. Provided that you know when to use each mathematical operation, you can leave the actual calculations to your calculator. Remember to set out your written work neatly so that if you have mistyped anything into your calculator then you may still get most of the marks.
If the question involves multiple steps, make sure you write down the results at each step, but use the memory function on the calculator so that you avoid the risk of rounding errors.
The main calculator manufacturers produce a range of support material to help you gain confidence with your specific calculator.
Unless there is a specific function that you need for your subject, don’t borrow a more powerful calculator just for the exam. You’ll be better off using a basic calculator that you have used regularly in class, rather than showing up to the exam with a calculator that you have never used before.
Stay connected
Share your ideas in the comments below. If you have any queries or questions, you can email us at maths@ocr.org.uk, call us on 01223 553998 or tweet us @OCR_Maths. You can also sign up to subject updates and receive information about resources and support.
About the author
Steven originally studied engineering before completing a PGCE in secondary mathematics. He has taught secondary maths in England and overseas. Steven joined OCR in 2014 and worked on the redevelopment of OCR’s A Level Mathematics suite of qualifications. Away from the office he enjoys cooking and travel.
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