David Giloi Math Tutoring

Students generally know far more maths than their grades suggest.

But errors can come from many different places in an exam.

Common sources of exam errors and lost marks include:
●Skipping working
●Rushing easy marks
●Not checking answers
●Panicking after one hard question
●Spending too long on a single problem
●Careless calculator errors
●Poor notation or presentation
●Not reading questions carefully, or only once through
●Wasting time on questions that a student doesn't understand without having started on questions they do

At GCSE and A-level, exam management alone can shift grades significantly.

The final weeks before maths exams should focus less on learning brand new content and more on strengthening weak areas, refining exam technique, and building confidence through consistent practice.

Regular past paper practice is crucial here.
Getting a strong feel for what to expect in your exams and developing your own exam strategy.

A very effective GCSE calculator paper strategy is:

Treat your calculator as a checking tool, not a thinking tool. A lot of students rush straight to button pressing and lose marks because they:
type expressions incorrectly, round too early, misunderstand the maths, or use the wrong method entirely.

Instead, train yourself to follow this order:
○ Understand the maths first
Ask: What topic is this?
Algebra? Trigonometry? Probability? Geometry?

○ Set the calculation up clearly on paper
Write the formula or equation before touching the calculator.

○ Estimate roughly what the answer should be
That way you can spot impossible or strange answers immediately.

○ Only then use the calculator carefully
Use brackets properly and type exactly what’s written.

○ Check the answer makes sense
Negative length? Probability bigger than 1? Massive area from tiny dimensions? Those are warning signs.

Students often think calculator papers are “easier,” but they’re usually more about method, interpretation, and accuracy than arithmetic. The strongest students are usually the ones who stay organised and deliberate rather than fast.

Some of the mistakes I see students (and parents/carers) make that have the most negative impact on their maths results:

1. Taking a complete break from maths over summer break
2. Not revising old topics periodically
3. Not working through past papers early enough and with adequate volume
4. Not asking for help as soon as misunderstandings occur allowing them to compound.
5. Treating maths as a memory subject and not practicing application of principles

One of the biggest exam mistakes maths students make is spending too long stuck on a single question. Encourage your child to move on if they’re genuinely stuck after a reasonable attempt. In GCSE and A-level maths, marks are spread across the paper, and protecting confidence and momentum matters. They can always return later with a clearer head.

Mistakes should be treated as data, not failure. Encourage your child to analyse errors carefully; this is where the most meaningful learning happens.

There are no magic secrets that will transform a student's grades rapidly.
No special platforms or brilliant teachers or sophisticated teaching methods.

Sure, perhaps a particular sub topic becomes clearer with good explanation that resonates well with a student. Whether it be delivered by teacher, book, app or otherwise.

But to change grades by a significant amount requires consistent effort over multiple weeks, even months. Time put in by the student, with focus and engagement.

This is how improvement is won.