Basics Are Most Important

Many potential candidates fail simply because they ignore important things. They claim to have studied New General Mathematics Book 3 and 4, and follow the crowd's claim that it is the whole syllabus of Zimsec Mathematics. Zimsec don't test questions from a textbook but a syllabus. There is no one textbook that covers everything in a syllabus and it's advisable to refer to many sources.

There are four books if you prefer using New General Mathematics series. Start from Book 1 and learn all basic principles as enunciated by the syllabus. Majority of candidates think that it's easier to master O Level principles without covering the Junior Level Mathematics. O level principles build upon the foundations laid by Junior Course. 

Basic Mathematics principles are widely tested in paper 1. Many people can testify that they wrote the exam without knowledge of estimations like significant figures and rounding off figures. Some O levels chose to ignore things like type of numbers, they don't even know even numbers, prime numbers and integers. These principles are tested in sets and limit of accuracy. 

The tricky part of using Book 3 is that it has assumptions. It expects users of that book to have covered all principles in Book 1 and 2 , and continuously refers you back to their previous books in the series. 

However, nowadays New General Mathematics, Although it's still considered the best book for O Level, there are other simplified books with more relevant information to the current syllabus. Look out for books like Maths Today and Revision O Level Mathematics. 

My Advise

1. Start by learning basic principles of numbers, types and operations on numbers (BODMAS)

2. Master directed numbers 

3. Learn how to estimate numbers to decimal places, significant numbers and place values

4. Learn basic algebra and formation of algebra from a given statement

5. Learn Mensuration in Junior course, it's also tested in paper 1

6. Learn how to use scientific calculator in fractions, decimals and graphs 

7. Master units of measurements, capacity principles and time

FOR MORE TIPS JOIN OUR WHATSAPP BROADCAST LIST BY SENDING 

*your name

* WhatsApp message 'O maths tips, broadcast '

To +263 733 796 118

NB: This is a Zimsec only broadcast list

Paper 2 Regulars: General/Consumer Arithmetic

Paper 2 Regulars: General/Consumer Arithmetic

this is one of the most ignored topics during exam preps. Most students and teachers overlook some of the areas tested in the second paper on the topic.

This topic includes ratios, mixtures, proportion, percentages and fractions, basic mensuration and a bit of algebra.

The questions give a scenario that might involve use of paint on a given area or sharing of a quantity. Unfortunately, most students miss this.

The other area is that of calculating discounts , past or future cost or prices of a given item.

How to master the topic.

The most critical areas of the topic(s) can be mastered by acquiring following skills
* formation and/or use of equations
* use of ratio to find costs, prices or allocations
* use of percentages principles in calculating costs and prices.
* application of fractions to the given scenario

The value of questions

This topic might contribute between 2 - 6% of the Exam, that is 3 to 12 marks in paper 2. It is important to master this topic to score more in both papers

Writing Exams this Nov?
Sign up for free revision notes and past exam questions with solution (PDF only)
# watch videos on our YouTube channel
# You can also register for our online tutorials to receive video lessons, daily exercises and weekly tests on the topic

WhatsApp +263 733 796 118

Online Tutorials Update: New Subject Added

Our online tutorials for Zimsec syllabi continues to grow with many students and candidates joining class of our experienced and qualified virtual tutors. From February, only Maths and Accounting classes were available for Ordinary Level students

Beginning yesterday, Commerce class is live and open for registration. The major tools used in these tutorials are Illustrative, step by step video lessons, exercises and tests. The methods are proving to be effective since students are exposed to real world examples through videos of trade and commerce. This is an advantage to students who are not familiar with business and commerce activities usually centralized in urban areas.

Like a traditional class, the virtual class will receive at least 4 lessons per week, two exercises and end-of-the-topic test. The tutor will be often available on whatsapp for enquiries and for students assistance if they have any questions. Past paper questions will also be used in exercises and tests.

Zimsec and Cambridge tutorials will continue to add more subjects until June and these includes Intergrated Science, Business Studies, geography and History. This is one of our major step to become a complete online school for home schooling and online learning for students in Zimbabwe and the region.

For more details, you can contact:
WhatsApp +263 733 796 118