10 Exam Prep Mistakes I Made In Maths (and How Your Child Can Learn From Them)As a mathematics educator — and someone who once sat where your child is now — I understand how easy it is to fall into unhelpful study habits, especially when exam pressure builds.
At one point, I struggled too.
However, by recognising and overcoming these mistakes, I eventually earned a mathematics degree and helped many learners succeed.
Today, I want to share 10 common exam prep mistakes I personally made — and more importantly, how you can help your child avoid them, build better habits, and achieve their full potential.
Mistake 1: Cramming at the Last Minute
In school, I sometimes left my revision until the very last few days of exams. I thought intense cramming would save me, but all it brought was stress, confusion, and shallow understanding.
➔ What Parents Can Do:
Encourage your child to start studying early (even a month before).
Just an hour or two each day can build deep understanding and reduce stress before exams.
Mistake 2: Pulling an All-Nighter Before the Exam
Once, I stayed up all night trying to “catch up.” I was so exhausted the next day that I couldn’t even answer simple questions. That exam did not go well!
➔ What Parents Can Do:
Help your child plan ahead to avoid last-minute panic.
Emphasise that a well-rested brain performs better. A good night’s sleep can be the difference between panic and clear thinking during the exam.
Mistake 3: Relying Only on Past Papers and Memorising Memo Steps
I used to believe that if I practised enough past papers, I would be fully prepared. I overlooked the fact that exams often include new question formats or structures, even if they test the same concept. Especially in subjects like mathematics, problem-solving skills are essential.
➔ What Parents Can Do:
Remind your child to master the concepts first and practise problem-solving, not just memorising steps.
Encourage them to review their syllabus or topic checklist. (Tip: They can ask their teacher for a breakdown if needed.)
Understanding the basics ensures they can tackle any new question format confidently.
Mistake 4: Not Fully Reading (and Understanding) Instructions
In a rush, I often missed keywords and details in certain questions (e.g., “prove that the two angles are equal”), leading to unnecessary mistakes. In the given information, there is usually a hidden key to the answer.
➔ What Parents Can Do:
Teach your child to slow down and carefully read each instruction.
Understanding exactly what the question is asking often unlocks valuable marks.
Mistake 5: Comparing Myself to Others
I wasted precious time feeling discouraged when I thought my classmates were “getting it” faster than me. What I didn’t realise was that every learner is different — and that I needed to work with my own strengths.
➔ What Parents Can Do:
Support your child in understanding their unique learning style.
Visual learners, for example, can benefit from drawing diagrams or using colours to highlight key signs (e.g., pink for “+”, green for “-“).
Remind them that growth happens at their own pace — comparison only steals focus and confidence.
Mistake 6: Neglecting Topics I Didn’t Like
When I felt weak in a topic, I would often avoid it, focusing only on my favourite sections. Unfortunately, those neglected topics came back to haunt me during exams.
➔ What Parents Can Do:
Encourage your child to tackle weaker topics early, even if it feels uncomfortable.
Good strategy:
- Start by reviewing the basics (e.g. “What is a variable?” or “What is the purpose of a variable?”).
- Ask simple questions (e.g., “What does solve for x really mean?”).
- Then build up to complex sections (“Which method should I use to solve for x?”).
Facing difficult topics early builds confidence and reduces last-minute panic.
Mistake 7: Leaving Questions Blank
If I didn’t know how to approach a problem, I sometimes left it blank. I missed out on part marks that could have boosted my overall marks!
➔ What Parents Can Do:
Remind your child: “Never leave a question blank!”
Even a rough attempt — showing formulas, steps, or explaining what they know — can earn them valuable marks.
Tip: Start with the easier questions first — this helps build momentum and saves more time for complex topics later.
Mistake 8: Skipping Steps in Working Out
I thought writing fewer steps (or solving problems in my head) would make me “look smart.” Instead, I lost method marks and also made small unnecessary errors, like missing the “-“ sign!
➔ What Parents Can Do:
Teach your child to show all their working — every step matters.
Tip: I often used colours to highlight signs (e.g., pink for “+”, green for “-“) and avoid careless mistakes.
Mistake 9: Memorising Without Understanding
Sometimes, I memorised formulas without truly grasping what they meant. This made it difficult to apply them when questions were framed differently.
➔ What Parents Can Do:
Support your child in understanding why a formula or method works.
Use simple guiding questions like:
- “What does this formula represent?”
- “When would you use it?”
Building a deeper understanding of key concepts helps them adapt to new types of questions (even those high-level questions — they’re always in the exam and often carry a lot of marks).
Mistake 10: Not Asking for Help
When I didn’t understand a topic, I sometimes stayed quiet out of fear (in the classroom) — afraid to look “stupid” compared to others. But not asking questions only made things worse.
➔ What Parents Can Do:
Create a safe space where it’s okay for your child to ask for help.
Encourage them to raise questions early — whether with teachers, tutors, or at home.
Remind them that every great learner asks questions — it’s a strength, not a weakness!
Even Albert Einstein, one of the greatest minds in history, was known for asking endless questions. His curiosity, not instant knowledge, was the key to his genius.
Growth Takes Time (And Small Steps Matter)
In conclusion, mistakes are not the end — they are part of the learning journey.
By helping your child build good study habits early, you’re not only preparing them for exams, but for real-world success too.
Small daily habits lead to big results.
Sit down with your child today and create a simple study plan.
Each small effort now lays a stronger foundation for the future.
Bonus: Exam Prep Checklist
Here’s a simple checklist your child can use during exam season:
- Start early — even 30–60 minutes a day adds up
- Understand key concepts — not just past paper answers
- Review instructions carefully (watch for keywords!)
- Tackle weak topics, not just favourites
- Always show full working — every step counts
- Use diagrams, colours, or mind maps if helpful
- Never leave a question blank — attempt something
- Rest well the night before — no all-nighters!
- Ask for help early when needed — don’t wait until it’s too late
Looking for some practice exams? You can find a full collection here
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Helping Your Child Learn a Lot of Work Before Exams: Tips and Tricks for ParentsAs exam time approaches, many parents wonder how to help their children revise a large amount of work without becoming overwhelmed. Whether it’s content-heavy subjects like Natural Sciences or History, or skill-based ones like Maths and English, it’s all about working smarter—not harder.
Here are some tried-and-tested tips to help your child tackle their revision effectively and with confidence.
1. Break it Down into Manageable Chunks
Trying to learn everything at once can feel impossible. Help your child divide their work into small, manageable sections. Use a study timetable to plan what to revise each day. Focus on one topic at a time rather than trying to do everything in one sitting.
2. Make Use of Visuals
Children often remember things better when they can see the information. Encourage them to use:
- Mind maps
- Diagrams
- Colour-coded notes
- Flashcards
These tools not only make studying more fun, but also help learners make connections between ideas and recall them more easily in exams.
3. Repetition is Key
Revisiting information multiple times helps move it from short-term to long-term memory. Encourage regular review of previously studied topics instead of cramming the night before.
4. Talk It Out
Some children learn best by talking things through. Encourage your child to explain what they’ve learned to you, a sibling, or even a pet! If they can teach it clearly, they probably understand it well.
5. Keep it Active
Sitting still for hours can make anyone lose focus. Try these methods to keep your child actively engaged in their learning:
- Use post-its on the wall
- Match definitions to terms
- Create songs, rhymes or silly acronyms to help remember facts
- Try a “brain break” game every 20–30 minutes
6. Balance Work and Rest
More work doesn’t always mean better results. A tired or stressed child won’t retain information easily. Make sure your child gets:
- Enough sleep
- Regular snacks and meals
- Time for fun and physical activity
- Quiet time to relax
A well-rested brain is a ready-to-learn brain.
7. Use Reliable Resources
Having access to quality, age-appropriate resources can make all the difference. Twinkl offers everything you need for exam revision in one place:
- “How to” pages that simplify tricky topics
- Study notes to reinforce classwork
- Twinkl Exam papers to practise answering exam-style questions
These resources help your child feel prepared, organised, and supported as they work through large sections of content. You can find all Twinkl’s practice assessments, tests and exams here: https://www.twinkl.co.za/l/p0upw
You don’t have to be a teacher to help your child succeed—you just need to be present, patient, and encouraging. Praise the effort, guide the process, and remind them that it’s okay to take breaks and ask for help. With good preparation and your support, they’ll go into their exams feeling confident and capable.
Parenting Hub is one of South Africa’s largest online lifestyle magazines, targeted toward Parents.
We understand that there are many aspects that encompass a Mother, Father or Child and strive toward providing resources and services that accommodates this.
Our content is aimed to inform and educate families on issues starting from pregnancy through to the challenges of the teen-age years.
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Twinkl’s Assessment Range: Empowering Your Child’s Academic SuccessAs a parent, you play a crucial role in your child’s educational journey. Regular assessment practice is key to helping your child build confidence, track progress, and achieve academic success. Twinkl provides a comprehensive range of assessment resources designed to support learners at every stage, making exam preparation and revision easier and more effective.
From early Foundation Phase assessments to Intermediate Phase tests and Senior Phase exam papers, Twinkl offers trusted, CAPS-aligned resources that help your child stay on top of their learning throughout the year.
Covering all key subjects — including Languages (English and Afrikaans Home and First Additional), Mathematics, Social Sciences, Natural Science and Technology, Life Orientation, Creative Arts, and Economic Management Sciences — Twinkl’s assessments are tailored to meet the needs of South African learners.
Why regular assessment practice matters:
- Builds Confidence: Learners become more familiar with test formats and develop problem-solving skills.
- Encourages Active Learning: Assessments reinforce what has been taught and help learners retain knowledge.
- Tracks Progress: Parents can identify areas of strength and topics needing extra attention.
- Reduces Exam Stress: Consistent practice helps learners feel more prepared and less anxious before exams.
- Supports Learning Goals: Helps ensure your child stays aligned with their curriculum and academic milestones.
Twinkl’s assessments come with marking sheets, making it easy to review your child’s work and celebrate their progress. By integrating regular assessments into your child’s routine, you can provide valuable support and set them up for success — all with the help of resources created by educational experts.
Explore Twinkl’s assessment range and FREE assessment guides today and give your child the tools they need to thrive!
Link: https://www.twinkl.co.za/l/7c7xd
Parenting Hub is one of South Africa’s largest online lifestyle magazines, targeted toward Parents.
We understand that there are many aspects that encompass a Mother, Father or Child and strive toward providing resources and services that accommodates this.
Our content is aimed to inform and educate families on issues starting from pregnancy through to the challenges of the teen-age years.
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