Maths GCSE is very important, being a required qualification for progress to almost all higher-level courses and a very wide range of future careers. It is also a subject which students can find challenging and which can cause a lot of stress. Indeed it is recognised that Maths causes more anxiety than any other subject and that it also creates its own special type of anxiety, distinct from general exam anxiety. This is known as Maths Anxiety. One common explanation for why this is so, is that Maths is relatively unforgiving: the answer is either right or wrong. This can seem intimidating to many students. There is also a double-bind. Greater anxiety reduces the capacity of the frontal part of the brain to reason and solve problems. The difficulty of Maths creates anxiety and anxiety makes Maths more difficult. Is there any escape from this vicious circle?

Working with an online GCSE Maths tutor can help break this circle and build instead a virtuous circle where increased mastery breeds greater confidence and reduces anxiety, which directly feeds into a better ability to do Maths, and more specifically perform well in Maths exams. There are several reasons why tuition works well for a subject like Maths. An important role of the tutor is to create a safe space for learning, where the student can have a go and make mistakes without it feeling like a failure or an embarrassment. This is a key step in breaking down some of the mental blocks to studying Maths and doing Maths exams. Too much anxiety and the mind tends to go blank, so the student forgets even things they know. Keeping calm is a pre-requisite for performing to the best of one's ability. In addition to confidence-building and steadfast encouragement, I always explain to students simple techniques they can use in an exam to calm themselves down if they start to get flustered or to panic.

The tutor will begin with assessing where the students main strengths and weaknesses lie. They can then plan to focus on those aspects which will have most leverage on improving grades. Sometimes there can be issues with poorly understood foundational concepts and methods. These need to be addressed first to build on a secure foundation. Topics in the GCSE syllabus can then be prioritised and this can include an element of synchronisation with when the same topics will be covered in school, to provide helpful consolidation. The tutor will build in regular reviews to check that the required progress is being made and maintained.

Tutors are well versed in the exam papers and marking schemes of the major exam boards. They can provide valuable coaching in sound exam technique. The most basic exam advice of all is Answer The Question and tutors can guide students in making sure they understand exactly what the question is asking them to do. Good allocation of time is also very important, as time pressure is an integral feature of all Maths exams. Do the easy questions efficiently and do not spend too long on questions where it is not obvious how to approach the solution. Go back and try to do as much as you can with such questions at the end. There will always be some particularly hard questions on the paper. Better to devote more time to the fairly challenging but do-able questions in the middle. Another important area where the tutor can drill the student is on the proper use of notation and setting out work correctly and clearly, avoiding unnecessary sacrifice of marks. Solid exam technique can make a grade’s difference.

Tutors will also provide a personalised learning experience. Different students have different preferred ways of studying and the tutor will find the one which works best. The tutor will also have a variety of ways in which to explain key techniques and concepts, which can help move blocks to progress. The tutor can also provide important breaks to allow the student space to reset and have another go. This might involve playing a short game, having a little chat or sharing a joke. It is important to avoid over-taxing and over-stressing the student. The tutor will also ensure the student gets regular exposure to the kinds of questions they will face in the exam proper, building mastery and solid technique and reducing the perceived difficulty and stress. The tutor will also be a cheerleader, celebrating victories large and small along the way.

Evidence shows that tutoring can lift performance by two grades, sometimes more. This can be a crucial difference. It works be giving consistent support and encouragement, personalised learning and regular exposure to the types of questions which the student will have to tackle in the exam. In addition, effort will be targeted to where it will have the greatest effect. Fortune favours the prepared mind and a tutor will help your child be as well prepared as possible.

Ready to help your child build confidence and boost their predicted grade? Get in touch today to book a session with an experienced online GCSE Maths tutor.