Getting a top score on the VCE Maths Methods exam means getting a score of 40 or above. Getting a top score is no mean feat, it could give your ATAR the boost it needs. Your name and score will also be published on VCAA’s website. In this article one of our VCE Maths Teachers breaks down what it takes to do well in Maths Methods, including study tips you won’t find anywhere else!
Structure of the Exam
The VCE Mathematical Methods exam is designed to thoroughly assess candidates’ abilities in Algebra, Functions, Graphs, Calculus, Trigonometry and Probability.
The exam consists of 2 papers.
Paper 1 is a non calculator paper, designed to test both reasoning skills as well as arithmetical abilities.
Paper 2 allows the use of a calculator. This paper is generally harder and focuses more on analytical skills.
Now that we know what we’re up against, let’s dive into the skills that are the prerequisite of Maths Methods Success:
Question Interpretation
The backbone of every Australian maths exam. You’d think this skill would be a given. Surprisingly enough, many students lack the mathematical vocabulary to even understand what the question is asking for.
Get familiar with the way Maths Methods questions are worded, especially probability questions.
Algebra
Algebra is really a subject by itself. From Year 7 right up to Year 12, an enormous portion of the curriculum time is devoted solely to this topic. In spite of this, poor algebraic skills are the Number 1 reason why students struggle with Mathematical Methods.
Algebra is the foundation of all the more advanced topics such as calculus, vectors, coordinate geometry and probability.
Poor factorisation, simplifying and term rearranging skills will not only dent your performance in algebra questions but also in the rest of the exam.
There are 3 steps to developing proficiency in algebra.
First you need to understand each algebraic skill and how it works. The next step is to have sufficient practice to achieve fluency in the technique. Finally, you need to be able to apply algebraic techniques to application questions.
This is not an easy process, it takes a long time. That’s why it’s important to develop a strong foundation in Algebra before Year 11.
Calculator Skills
Knowing how to use a calculator is now an integral part of the exam. In the past, calculators used to be very basic. They were little more than just a number pad with an LCD display.
With the TI-Inspire everything has changed. It is an incredibly powerful device, yet complex to operate. Knowing how to use it well will help you with questions that cannot be solved by hand, as well as those which are tedious to compute manually.
Bear in mind, however, that calculators are no substitute for content knowledge. Calculators are not permitted for Paper 1. Even for Paper 2, where they are permitted, calculators are powerless to help with question interpretation or problem solving.
Use them as an aid, not a crutch.
Calculus
Calculus is a very deep topic. Unlike many other topics in mathematics it is full of caveats and gotchas.
Being able to integrate and differentiate by hand is absolutely essential. You must able to do these quickly and accurately. But that’s not enough.
A large proportion of the Maths Methods exam centres around the applications of calculus. On top of that, there are often trick questions in Math Methods calculus.
Knowing your way around the caveats of stationary points, absolute and relative minima and the details of differentiation and integration is key to improving your marks on calculus questions.
Graphs
The Maths Methods exam is loaded with graphs, and for good reason. Questions involving graphs test your algebraic skills, trigonometry, visualisation skills as well as calculus all in one go.
It is these questions that separate the top scorers from the rest of the pack.
So how do you take on graph questions?
Right off the bat, your foundations, especially in algebra have to be rock solid. Graph questions are multi-step. Mistakes in the algebra account for a large percentage of lost marks.
Then you need to be well-versed in the properties of graphs. A lot of this ties in with other topics such as calculus, algebra and trigonometry. Some of these subtopics include: coordinate geometry, tangents, equations, stationary points and intercepts.
The final and hardest step is being able to integrate this knowledge to solve a multi-step graph question. This is arguably the most challenging part of the exam.
You need to know your Mathematical Techniques, your tools, really well in order to do well on this part of the exam.
Concluding Notes
Thus far, it has been an open secret that Maths Methods application questions repeat themselves year after year. Memorising past questions used to be an effective way to sidestep having to master application questions.
Unfortunately, the VCE Maths Methods 2015 marks the start of a new trend. The same concepts, but tested in novel ways. I know of many candidates who were thrown off and did not get the mark they were expecting for this very reason.
This is why I always tell my students that developing a strong conceptual understanding trumps everything else. If there was such a thing as a ‘secret’ for Maths Methods success, this would be my pick.