Free Math Help: How to Improve Test Scores

Practicing for math tests often involves completing a lot of practice problems. You can prepare by reviewing the activities in your textbook, or you can use some of the following ideas to engage with math in a different way. These tips include activities that you can do on your own or with friends.

Find available tutors

Math Test Prep

Review Materials

Review all the notes you took during class and any quizzes or homework that was handed back. Take special note of the questions you answered incorrectly the first time around. Look for similar questions in your book or ask a parent to create a math problem that's similar to the ones you answered incorrectly.

Make Flash Cards

One of the most efficient ways to improve your speed is by doing a lot of repetitive practice. Create your own preparation guide by writing down 50 questions, each on its own note card or scrap of paper. Write the correct answer on the back. Now, either by yourself or with a friend, go through the pile and try to answer the problems as fast as you can. Eventually, your speed and accuracy should improve, leading to higher test scores.

Ask for Help

Don't be shy about asking for help when you can't figure out a math problem. Everybody struggles with math at some point. You can ask to speak to your teacher after school and explain which math units you don't understand. He or she might offer to go over those sections with you or recommend a tutor.

By asking your friends, you may find that some of them are struggling with the same things you are. You might be able to organize a study group to help each other prepare for tests. It's often tempting to talk or play games when you're with friends, but if you are setting aside time for a study group, it's important to focus and really try to improve. One way of handling the temptation could be to get together for two hours, and plan to work on math for the first hour and reserve any chatting or game-playing for the second hour.

Make a Board Game

No matter what type of math you need to review, one way to practice with friends is by creating a board game. Regardless of what game you base yours off of, the main idea is to require a math question to be answered correctly in order to advance along the board.

If you want, you can even use the original board game instead of creating one from scratch. Just write down math problems on pieces of paper and place them all along the board. Each player must solve the problem on the square that he or she lands on.

Did you find this useful? If so, please let others know!

Other Articles You May Be Interested In

  • More Blog Articles
    Elementary School Math Test Anxiety

    Too much anxiety about tests can be debilitating and result in poor performance. It can interfere with studying, cause difficulty with learning new material and even have a negative effective on a child's social interactions

  • More Blog Articles
    Online Math Assessments for Homeschool Children

    Parents just starting to homeschool their children may be looking for a way to test their skill level in a subject like mathematics. Read on to learn how the Internet can help you through the use of online math assessments for homeschool children.

We Found 7 Tutors You Might Be Interested In

Huntington Learning

  • What Huntington Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • One on one tutoring
  • Every Huntington tutor is certified and trained extensively on the most effective teaching methods
In-Center and Online

K12

  • What K12 offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Has a strong and effective partnership with public and private schools
  • AdvancED-accredited corporation meeting the highest standards of educational management
Online Only

Kaplan Kids

  • What Kaplan Kids offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Customized learning plans
  • Real-Time Progress Reports track your child's progress
Online Only

Kumon

  • What Kumon offers:
  • In-center tutoring
  • Individualized programs for your child
  • Helps your child develop the skills and study habits needed to improve their academic performance
In-Center and Online

Sylvan Learning

  • What Sylvan Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • Sylvan tutors are certified teachers who provide personalized instruction
  • Regular assessment and progress reports
In-Home, In-Center and Online

Tutor Doctor

  • What Tutor Doctor offers:
  • In-Home tutoring
  • One on one attention by the tutor
  • Develops personlized programs by working with your child's existing homework
In-Home Only

TutorVista

  • What TutorVista offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Student works one-on-one with a professional tutor
  • Using the virtual whiteboard workspace to share problems, solutions and explanations
Online Only

Our Commitment to You

  • Free Help from Teachers

  • Free Learning Materials

  • Helping Disadvantaged Youth