top of page

Tips for Taking
the Exam

1. How to allocate your time properly in the exam

A useful rule of thumb for the Edexcel IGCSE maths exam is to allow about 1 minute per mark. However, the first 10 questions are usually more straightforward, so I recommend aiming for 30 to 45 seconds per mark on those. This strategy frees up extra time for the more difficult problems later in the paper.

 

If you often find yourself running out of time in full past paper practice, try a more focused approach: work only on the first 10 questions and complete them at the 30 to 45 seconds per mark pace. Once you can consistently finish those within the target time, return to full paper practice.

 

In any case, avoid spending more than 2 minutes per mark on any question. If you reach that limit, circle the problem and move on. You can always come back to it later.

2. Why you should quietly read out the problem to yourself

Reading a problem quietly to yourself has several benefits: 

​​

  • Reduces Mistakes: You’re less likely to skip over important information when you read the problem. When you read the problem, you give the problem your full attention. 

  • Boosts Recall: Hearing yourself say the words makes it easier to recall concepts that may help you solve the problem.

​​​

You’ll be surprised how many silly errors disappear and how many tough questions become manageable when you just read out the problem to yourself quietly.

3. The importance of annotating and writing out what you are given

Annotating and writing out what you’re given is one of those deceptively simple habits that can completely change how effectively you solve problems. Here’s why it's effective:

​​

  • Reduces Cognitive Load: Writing down the given facts frees up mental space. You don’t have to juggle all the details in in your head while working through the solution.     

  • Creates a Roadmap: Once the facts are clearly laid out on the paper in front of you, it’s easier to see what’s missing and what steps you need to take next.

4. How to approach word problems including challenging or unfamiliar ones?

Word problems can feel overwhelming because they mix maths with language. However, I find that when students can treat word problems as just stories with maths, it makes the problem solving process less daunting and even enjoyable. Here's a step-by-step approach:

 

1. Stay Calm and Break the Story Down

​​

  • Don't panic if the wording looks unusual. Read once for context (What is the story about?), then again to pick out the important details (Who, What, When, Where, How, Relationships).

  • Write down important numbers, units, variables and keywords in the top right corner of your page.

​​

2. Identify What's Being Asked

​

  • Ask yourself: What does the question want me to find?

  • The actual question is often hidden at the end so make sure you know what you need to solve before you start.

​​

3. Identify the Core Topic(s) and Write Down Relevant Formulas or Methods

 ​

  • Match the problem type to a topic or a few topics.

  • Write down any formulas or methods in those topics that might be useful in the top right corner of your page. This helps anchor your thinking. 

​​

4. Break the Problem Down into Smaller Parts

​

  • Translate each part of the problem into a mathematical expression or diagram in the top right corner of your page.

​

5. Put Together a Strategy

​​

  • Decide how the smaller parts fit together to reach the answer.

  • Be careful. Not all the information in the problem is relevant. Ignore distractions. 

​

6. Check Against Reality

​

  • Ask yourself: Does my answer make sense in the context?

    • If you get 0.3 of a boy, a negative measurement or a probability less than 0 or greater than 1, something's off.​

5. Using double checks to catch careless mistakes

Careless mistakes are one of the biggest reasons students lose marks in the Edexcel IGCSE maths exam. The best way to avoid them is to build the habit of double checking each step before moving on. Think of it as a safety net that catches small slips before they become big errors.

 

1. Miscopying Numbers or Terms (And Their Signs)

​​

  • Always check that you've written down the numbers or terms with their signs from the question and the previous step accurately. This careless mistake happens more often than you think.

​​​​​

2. Inconsistent Units

 ​

  • Make sure units are consistent and check if you are giving your answer in the correct unit.

​​

3. Final Answer Check

​

  • At the end, check the solution against the question.

  • Did you answer what was actually asked? Did you round correctly? Is the answer realistic?

6. How to present your work clearly (and keep your mind at ease)

In your Edexcel IGCSE maths exam, clear working is essential. It not only helps examiners award method marks but also reduces your own stress because you can follow your reasoning step by step. Good structure and neatness make a huge difference.

​

1. Space Out Your Steps

​​

  • Leave space between each step. This keeps your working out easy to read (and check) and prevents steps from blending together.

​​

2. Keep Useful Formulas and Methods Visible in the Corner

​

  • Write down relevant formulas or methods in the top right corner of the page.

  • However, if you need to use them, you must write it out as part of your working​.

    ​​​

3. Cross Out Elegantly

 ​

  • If you need to correct something, use a few diagonal lines to cross it out. 

  • Never ever scribble — it looks messy and increases your anxiety needlessly. 

​

4. Align and Label

​

  • Keep equal signs lined up vertically when solving equations.

  • Label which part of the question (a, b, c) you're doing so you and the examiner can follow your work.

​

5. Highlight the Final Answer

​

  • Underline your final answer so it stands out. Examiners shouldn't have to search for it.​

7. You're allowed to use your calculator. Take advantage of it!

Many students rely too much on mental maths in the Edexcel IGCSE maths exam, but under pressure this can lead to mistakes. Your calculator is there to help — use it wisely to save time. However, using a calculator does not mean skipping your working. You must still write down the steps to get method marks. The calculator is just doing the calculation for you.

​​

1. Use it for All Calculations

​​​

  • Don't gamble on mental arithmetic when the stakes are so high. Even simple arithmetic can go wrong under exam stress.

​

2. Type In the Calculation into Your Calculator Accurately

​

  • You need to type in whatever is on the paper into your calculator. Yes, this includes brackets!

​​​

3. Master Your Calculator's Shortcuts 

​

  • Know how to convert between decimals and fractions. This is especially useful when the problem expects an exact answer (e.g. fractions) or an approximate answer (e.g. decimals)

  • Know how to express time in different formats. This is especially useful when the problem expects time to be expressed in hours and minutes (e.g. 3 hours 45 minutes) or as a decimal (e.g. 3.75 hours)

bottom of page