Q&A for How to Get a Last Minute Passing Grade on a Mathematics Exam

Highlighting all of the key vocabulary and topics and then reviewing them is really important. Also, doing practice problems will be super helpful. You can find free problems online, like through Kahn Academy.

This is much easier if you’re doing a multiple choice or true or false test. Start by answering the questions you know the answer to or can easily figure out, then move on to problems you don’t know the answer to. If there are any answers that are obviously wrong, eliminate those. That will increase your chances of guessing right on the options that are left.

Go over your class notes and the relevant pages in the textbook to make sure you understand the procedures for solving the types of problems that will be on the test. Do as many practice problems as you can. Try to get at least a little sleep so that you can focus during the test.

Unless you already have a good grasp of the material, you’ll probably need to do at least a little studying in order to pass. Do your best to focus on really understanding the questions, and use common sense to eliminate unlikely answers if you’re doing multiple choice. If it’s not multiple choice, try to provide at least partial answers for all the questions and show your work so that you can possibly get partial credit.

Breathe and focus. Try to think positive. Just think that once the test is done, you can relax and treat yourself.

After each lesson, make a small one-page summary sheet, so that you may refer to it throughout the year. Do 1 to 2 problems from each lesson every week or two to remember the material.

You have a day to study. Review the information that is going to be tested and try to master the skills. Don't try to cram it all in the morning of and try to just relax and do your best.

Just don't panic. Remember that for every hour you still have left, you can study a thing or two -- every bit counts. If you are really stressed out, go outside for 5 minutes for some fresh air. Eating and/or drinking while you study can help as well.

Try making some study guides and/or flash cards. You can also use your class notes as well. Do try to review your textbook, however.

Study hard and ask your teacher for help. If you don't know a single problem, get help from friends, a tutor or a study group. However, be realistic -- if you are very close to the exam and don't know anything, you'll not do so well, so concentrate hard on least understanding some of the basics expected for your year level.

Just focus on the sum and try to solve it. Remember all the formulas while doing it, and pay attention to where you can apply which formulas.

Review your notes and try to understand. Get a friend to help you study, they might be able to explain something in a way you can understand. And ask the teacher. They should be able to help you.

Read the question carefully. That is very important. Understand it and break it into different parts, otherwise the answer will most likely be wrong. Don't spend too much time on just one question, however.

That is often the case. Only your teacher knows for sure. Ask him or her.

To find the area and perimeter of a shape, you must know how long the sides are. For perimeter, add up all of the sides. For area, the steps vary, depending on the shape. For example, if the shape was a square or rectangle, multiply one side with another side.

Remember, you don't need to remember everything in lots of detail. As long as you do a few practice questions and have a general idea, you'll be fine. In case there are any formulae you need to remember, prioritize them, but only after you are able to understand most of the material.

Math is easy if you know how to deal with it. Pay extra attention to definitions. Try to understand where things come from; in which case ,do we apply this or that formula? You won't understand math in an hour or two and since you should mind the details, it's definitely going to take time. So, take it easy and don't lose hope.

Take your best guess. But if it is allowed, ask your teacher on what the question is asking for. Then you can jog your memory and that might help you.

See Pass an Exam Without Studying.

Slow down a little and double-check your work before turning it in.

See Pass a Math Test. Take deep breaths and remain calm. It will help you think.

This is perfectly normal. Sometimes people's minds blank out. Just study hard and take short breaks, and you should be fine. Seek parental help if you have trouble.

It sounds like you need a good tutor, someone who is good at quietly explaining things in simple ways. Maybe there's a classmate who can do that for you. Ask around for recommendations for a good tutor.

Expect two very long days in your immediate future, and resolve never to let this happen again by taking your studies more seriously.

See How to Understand Euclidean Geometry, How to Get an A in Geometry and How to Survive Geometry Class.

If you didn't understand the math the night before and you have an exam, try to use logic and common sense. My major suggestion is to try to look at the problems a different way and apply math that you already know to the problem, since it could be possible to solve the problem a different way. Also, don't freak out and stay calm during the test. Remember, failing one exam isn't the end of the world, so even if you do fail, you can still do better on the next one and work harder next semester.

Ask a friend if he/she could help you. If you can, ask another math teacher, or your parents or anyone else you think may be able to help you. You could also maybe search it up on Youtube and study it from there.

Pay careful attention to the formulas. Try working it out on your own. If you still don't understand, ask your teacher or your classmates who are strong in math.

In class, if you're so lost because you don't understand something that was covered a few days ago, there's a few things you can do. For starters, take notes on everything the teacher says. All of it. You probably won't understand your notes right now but you will later, and that's important enough. If your teacher says that something will be on the test, take a lot of notes on that one thing. After class, no matter how embarrassed you might feel, you have to ask the teacher for help. Be honest. Say you don't understand the questions and you need help. Even if your teacher tells you "it's a day before the test and you shouldn't be asking this kind of stuff", at least you can say you tried.

Study in a calm environment that is free from all distractions, like your laptop or your phone. Take regular breaks to help your concentration.