Focus On Locus

Locus
Loci is a very important part of the syllabus and contributes much to your final exam score.
Many people who try to avoid this topic eventually miss an A. Its considered a score booster.

In this post, I will explain few tips on the topic that were discovered from previous examinations

1. Two main angle-constructions.
Loci is centered on two main angles which are 90° and 60°. Candidates must be accurate in constructing these angles since all angles are built upon these principles.
Angles that uses the principles are 120°, 135°, 150°, 45°, 30° to name a few.

#2 Shapes.
Candidates must be familiar with properties if different shapes like Kite, Parallelogram, rhombus, Trapezium and Triangles.
Zimsec complicates these questions by introducing unpopular shapes into a loci question.

#3 Bearing
Loci can be tested using bearing principles but the constructions are based on two main angles we discussed before.

The major tip here is to remember that bearing is measured from the North in case of a three-figure bearing


#4 Using compasses for shape completion
At times the loci question can provide an angle and all dimensions of a shape.
In this case they will be testing your ability to use compasses to complete a shape.

#5 Bisecting
Loci questions test bisection of lines and angles

#6 Distance from a point/Line.

You can be tested construct locus of points from a given point, say A. You must be able to construct a circle with that point as the center.

You must also be able to construct parallel lines if locus of points distant from a line is tested.

#7 Label your work.
Many candidates forget to label their constructions , dimensions and points. It is imperative to label all your work..

These are some of the few tips on this topic.

NB: There are videos which cover all 10 tips in the topic. If you are interested Contact the tutor on WhatsApp +263733796118.

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Tips for Non Calculator Math Candidates

Although many schools have since adopted a calculator version MATHS syllabus, a significant number of candidates are still registering for a non-calculator version. Many teachers have decided to skip teaching topics that are essential for a non-calculator syllabus.

Many candidates are getting into the exam room without perfect knowledge on how to attempt a non-calculator syllabus. Finishing the second paper is still a challenge for the candidates and they lack skills to calculate complex expressions that are easy on a calculator.

Non-calculator Math Candidate? This blog posts will help you with tips and tricks around the exam.

1. Know how to use logarithms and antilogs.

Don't ignore this topic! Antilogs and logs are used to calculate complex expressions including multiplying sines, cosines and tangents of angle and other decimal fractions. Use of antilogs makes the whole life easy for you in the exam.

2. Use a ruler to look up for a value in the table.

Many candidates make mistakes when looking up a value in the tables and eventually picks a wrong value from the table lists. Make sure you use a ruler to avoid mistakes that might costs you marks.

3. Always use tables to find squares and square roots 

If you try to find squares and square roots using other means, you will obviously not finish the exam. Learn to use tables to find square roots of numbers that are not perfect squares. 

4. Use tables when multiplying decimal fractions

Decimal fractions can eat up half of your exam time if you try to multiply or divide them the traditional way. Learn how to find a solution the shorter way through the use of tables.

5. Identify a reciprocal and use tables

A reciprocal is a decimal value of a fraction whose numerator is 1. Don't stress yourself by trying to find the decimal fraction through division process, it's right there in your reciprocal tables.

These are some of the few tips for a non calculator version. If a non calculator Math candidate understand the use of tables, they are at par with someone who registered a calculator version. 

Mistakes To Avoid During An Exam

Mistakes to avoid in an Examination

A final exam is different from all mock exams that are written in midyears, or end of year exams. A final exam comes with surprises and twisted concepts that requires a new and different approach to the same old topic. 

Midyears and End of year Exams at schools are filled with "standard" questions that taken from from past papers and it's highly likely that you have once met the questions before. A majority of teachers doesn't like to temper with the values and structures of the past questions, thy believe it can distort the standard process of solving typical exam questions. This makes all papers common and easy.

Nevertheless, a Zimsec or Cambridge final exam comes with new, unique questions that test your very mathematical skills rather than sharpness of your memory. You might have met a similar question but not exactly as the one in the final exam.

This exposes you to many mistakes that costs you in the Exam.

Below I have identified few common mistakes and how they can be avoided

1. Don't rush to attempt questions, take your time to study the question

Candidates will be afraid they can't finish the Exam if they delay even for a minute. They rush to work out solutions before fully understand the requirements of the question. They apply methods they are familiar with and doesn't take a breath to think new ways of solving new questions. They later discover that they have provided a wrong solution few seconds before the end. 

Take your time to read and understand the question and its requirements before attempting anything. It's better to omit other questions and correctly answer the few that guarantees a pass.

2. Study the structure of the paper before answering the questions. 

Every candidate at least knows the structure of the paper she or he is going to write and prepares the strategy to the paper. Little do they consider every paper. Although structure can be similar, has its uniqueness that requires a different approach to be successful. 

Mathematics Paper 1 starts with 13 questions that carry 39 marks (39%) and take almost half the length of the paper. The remainder, which is about 12 or 13 questions carry 61% of the paper.  Majority of students don't finish the paper as they try to perfect solutions for the first questions. They eventually fail the exam, they waste time concentrating on less important section of the exam.

3. Carry all Exam requirements even if you don't intent to use them.

A math exam requires pencils, pens, mathematical sets, strings, rulers and calculators. Only few carry all the instruments for the exam and some avoid some of the sections of the exam. In the first paper, candidates don't expect topics like Locus, Transformation, Vector(2) and graphs but to their surprise they meet these questions in the same paper.

Many candidates have to omit the question, skip to return or wait to share the few instruments brought into the exam room. 

NB: calculators are not allowed in Maths Paper 1 exam.

4. Avoid sleeping in an Exam.

Some candidates are faster and accurate and finish the paper in the middle of the Exam. They are tempted to sleep for a few minutes, whilst awaiting collection of papers. This will cost you marks if you happen to omit other questions or inadequately answer a specific question. Take time to ask yourself "Why others are still writing?" 

Check if your papers are numbered correctly and labelled. Review your answers before submission and add necessary information that might have been omitted

Mistakes To Avoid During An Exam

Mistakes to avoid in an Examination

A final exam is different from all mock exams that are written in midyears, or end of year exams. A final exam comes with surprises and twisted concepts that requires a new and different approach to the same old topic. 

Midyears and End of year Exams at schools are filled with "standard" questions that taken from from past papers and it's highly likely that you have once met the questions before. A majority of teachers doesn't like to temper with the values and structures of the past questions, thy believe it can distort the standard process of solving typical exam questions. This makes all papers common and easy.

Nevertheless, a Zimsec or Cambridge final exam comes with new, unique questions that test your very mathematical skills rather than sharpness of your memory. You might have met a similar question but not exactly as the one in the final exam.

This exposes you to many mistakes that costs you in the Exam.

Below I have identified few common mistakes and how they can be avoided

1. Don't rush to attempt questions, take your time to study the question

Candidates will be afraid they can't finish the Exam if they delay even for a minute. They rush to work out solutions before fully understand the requirements of the question. They apply methods they are familiar with and doesn't take a breath to think new ways of solving new questions. They later discover that they have provided a wrong solution few seconds before the end. 

Take your time to read and understand the question and its requirements before attempting anything. It's better to omit other questions and correctly answer the few that guarantees a pass.

2. Study the structure of the paper before answering the questions. 

Every candidate at least knows the structure of the paper she or he is going to write and prepares the strategy to the paper. Little do they consider every paper. Although structure can be similar, has its uniqueness that requires a different approach to be successful. 

Mathematics Paper 1 starts with 13 questions that carry 39 marks (39%) and take almost half the length of the paper. The remainder, which is about 12 or 13 questions carry 61% of the paper.  Majority of students don't finish the paper as they try to perfect solutions for the first questions. They eventually fail the exam, they waste time concentrating on less important section of the exam.

3. Carry all Exam requirements even if you don't intent to use them.

A math exam requires pencils, pens, mathematical sets, strings, rulers and calculators. Only few carry all the instruments for the exam and some avoid some of the sections of the exam. In the first paper, candidates don't expect topics like Locus, Transformation, Vector(2) and graphs but to their surprise they meet these questions in the same paper.

Many candidates have to omit the question, skip to return or wait to share the few instruments brought into the exam room. 

NB: calculators are not allowed in Maths Paper 1 exam.

4. Avoid sleeping in an Exam.

Some candidates are faster and accurate and finish the paper in the middle of the Exam. They are tempted to sleep for a few minutes, whilst awaiting collection of papers. This will cost you marks if you happen to omit other questions or inadequately answer a specific question. Take time to ask yourself "Why others are still writing?" 

Check if your papers are numbered correctly and labelled. Review your answers before submission and add necessary information that might have been omitted