Common Elements in Zimsec Examination (Maths)

Zimsec Exam Toolkit 1

" Common Areas "

In the last series of "Secret to Zimsec Exam" posts, we exposed some of the hidden elements of the Exam including structure of the papers and Mark distribution bias. 

In this series of posts, we will concentrate on Specific Topic that will guarantee a pass and how one can effectively plan for the exams.

"Common" Exam Behavior

Most people from all walks of life perceive math as the most challenging of all and chose either to ignore the subject, or the other topics, or the other paper or other questions. They dedicate their time to what they view an effective strategy which does not yield any dividend most of the time. 

"Common" Ignorance

Many candidates and students of mathematics spend the major part of the time working out solutions for specific topics and mathematical problems. They eventually fail the subject or pass with the minimum marks. 

They are ignorant of the exam structure, question structure and value of particular questions. Many don't even have a clear strategy for the exam and spend part of the exam trying to figure out how they can score higher marks that can guarantee a pass.

"Common" Exam Structure

The standard exam structure for Paper 1 is 25-30 simple questions from more than 26 chapters. Many candidates don't attempt the last 5 - 8 questions of the first paper (surprisingly, they carry nearly 36 - 45 marks), which is almost half of the exam. 

The second paper has six compulsory questions in section A and  six questions in Section B where a candidate is required to chose only three. (Surprisingly, many candidates concentrate on section B options and lose most of the marks in section A, which is 64% of the exam)

"Common" Questions in Section A of Paper 2

- Algebraic Fractions and fractional equations

- Percentages, Ratio, Rate and Simple Interest

- Sets

- Circle Geometry

- matrices with vectors

- substitution and triangles involving algebra/similarities 

- locus

"Common" Questions in Section B of Paper 2

- mensuration 

- Vectors (properties of shapes)

- transformation 

- cubic function/ velocity-time curves / quadratic graphs

- linear programming 

- Triangle (sine rule)