EXAM ORIENTED EBOOKS for ZIMSEC MATHEMATICS

Zimbabwean students and candidates rely much on textbooks to prepare for the Exam and the most popular book series are the New General Mathematics Book 3 and Book 4. However, the syllabus continues to be updated frequently than the textbook, making recent textbooks better in terms of content tested by the Examination.

The major mistake candidates make is to assume New General Mathematics Book 3 and 4 have all the exam areas needed for someone to be successful on the final examination. You might have noticed that more than 7 or 8 questions from paper 1 are not covered in these books and examples includes Whole Numbers (Prime products, Roots and Squares, Series and Sequency etc), Distance Charts, LCM and HCF of index numbers. Most of these principles are covered in the Books 1 and 2, which makes them a need to the collection if you are to go with the NGM book series. All topics are essentially covered from Book 1 up to 4.

The major determinant of success especially at Ordinary Level is the ability of the teacher to interpret the latest syllabus and organize content from different textbooks and sources into exam oriented lessons. To be frank, a good teacher makes a textbook unnecessary for students since they have what it takes to score an 'A' from the teachers stuff. 

In Zimbabwe, shortage of textbooks affected most schools until EFT provided adequate textbooks and resources in schools since 2009. The textbook:pupil ratio in now as good as 1:1 but still the pass rate fluctuates between 20% to 35% yearly. Surprisingly, some schools mantain a 100% pass rate in Mathematics. This apparently shows it's the strategy and the experience of the teachers at those specific schools. 

Many students and teachers are now using technology to gather, share and organize resources that aid in studying for the final examinations. However, we are yet to see an official past paper from Zimsec in PDF format, or any textbook published as an ebook for Zimbabwean candidates. That will obviously ease the journey and yield better results as more students and candidates access recent and updated content that match syllabus requirements.

At FigTree Academy, we are now publishing ebooklets on critical topics to aid students in their studies. The ebooks are organized in lessons and only focus on specific concepts enunciated by the syllabus. The ebooklets are for FREE and published continually until all topics are covered. The ebooks are being authored by practicing teachers who also prepare video content for our android app called FigTree App.

There are now 7 ebooks that cover 10 topics including Transformations, Functional graphs and Circle Geometry. The ebooks are well illustrated and strives to demystify some areas of most challenging topics. 

     

All the concepts are explained using past exam questions that are organized under specific sections. There are meant to be a complete guide alongside video content. Students can easily understand the ebook content by reading whilst watching a video explaining the same concept. All on your mobile phone!

To access the ebooks, WhatsApp +263 733 796 118

Algebraic Fractions: What to expect in the Exam!

Algebra Fractions: What to expect in the Exam!

In the previous post I highlighted that Algebra is one of the three major contributors to the Exam. Last year it weighed more than 21% of the total exam. This means it is a critical section of the syllabus and candidates need to master the tested concepts from this section.

In today's post, I will try to explain what is likely to be tested this year in November, referring to previous Exams. 

Let's begin...

1. Algebraic Fractions

Candidates are expected to apply the laws of fractions to algebraic terms. The same concepts of HCF (common denominator) and lowest term (factorisation and division) applies. The concept usually comes in two different forms and can be determined by the structure and length  of the paper.

There two forms are 

 i) Express as a single fraction 

Under this concept, two algebraic fractions must be added or subtracted. They usual have a common denominator and can be factorized to identify similar expression. Lowest term is when similar , factorized terms are canceled out to leave the fraction in its simplest/lowest algebraic terms. This is normally a Paper 2 type question usually found on the second question.

 ii) Simplify the fraction:

Simplification of an algebraic fraction can be a tedious task. Candidates are required to simplify or reduce the given algebraic fraction to its lowest terms. There are obviously identical factors both in the denominator and the numerator which must cancelled out yo leave the fraction in its lowest terms . 

This is normally a paper 1 question as observed in other November Past Papers.

 iii) Solve the Equation

The algebraic fractions are also tested as equations that end up in quadratic equations. This can be easiest to some candidates as removing the denominator can be completed by cross multiplication. They usually carry 2 or more marks depending on the complexity of the question. 

NB: These question types can be found in both papers.

In the next series of posts, I will focus on other concepts of Algebra that are likely to be tested in the Exam.

5 people who can make you fail or Hate Mathematics.

5 People who can make you fail Mathematics

Mathematics is a unique subject. It needs great attention, higher level of understanding, sharp memory and concentration during learning or a study. Miss a lesson and it will torment you all the days of your live. You can be motivated by your environment and people who hang around with you.

However, they are people who can distract your concentration in mathematics. They will try to convince you that they are more intelligent than you, and if they are not successful in the subject, you will also definitely fail. Someone actions will also discourage you from following recommended path to be successful in the subject.

Let's briefly analyze them

 

1. Your Teacher

A teacher contributes at least 50% to your success in any subject. The remainder is attributed to hardworking, source of information, attitude towards the subject and exam skills. If a teacher discourage you and also claim you are going to fail the subject, it's highly likely you will fail the exam. 

A teacher can simply avoid helping you, or letting you know the source of your errors. Many teachers selects students to concentrate with, and leave the rest to fail. Other teachers believe it's a waste of effort to coach slow learners and below average performers

2. Your Classmate/Schoolmate

Classmates or schoolmates who are challenged by any subject will try to incite others to also hate the subject. They will even statistically prove to you that many students from your school fail the subject and concentrating on it is just a worst of time. This can change your philosophy towards the subject and eventually result in a failure

3. Your Parent, Brother or Sister

When a child fails or succeeds in school, parents and family members try to justify it by now they performed in school. Others will even blame each other for the failure of their children. They believe intelligence is a genetical. You can be discouraged from mathematics through their beliefs and justifications. 

4. A candidate  next to you in an Exam

Actions of other candidates in an Exam room can affect your performance. At times, it's wise to ignore whatever is happening in an exam and concentrate on your work. Before e-marking was widely adopted, candidates used to write on sheets of paper. You would see others raising their hands for more answer sheets and submitting a booklet of answers, when you have just answered in only 3 or 5 sheets. Others would request graph paper but you haven't located questions that required a graph. 

You can spoil your work by trying to expand what you have already written. Fresh minds have best answers. By trying to revise what have been answered by fresh minds when tired will only guarantee you failure. 

5. Your FRIEND

Friendship is a result of something in common. True friends will try to match their characters and attitudes in everything. Even in the classroom, they will behave the same.if your friend hates the subject, you will eventually buy into it. Friends are greatest threats to our abilities.