9th-grade Math Tips That Actually Work

While some students may not enjoy math, viewing it as a skill that can be developed with practice is important. The fact that you’re here, reading 9th-grade math tips reveals your keen interest in improving your math grades in high schools.

Hence, we asked our team of expert 9th-grade math tutors to suggest the best ways to get better at 9th-grade math. 

You can improve your math score in 9th grade by practicing past papers, setting the right goals, getting the right support, learning from mistakes, and above all staying consistent in your efforts.

And yes, these tips have actually helped our students deliver outstanding performance in overall high school math. Read on to learn the best tips for 9th-grade math from our expert math tutors: 

Looking to Learn 9th Grade Math? Book a Free Trial Lesson and match with top 9th Grade Math Tutors for Concepts, Projects, Homework help, and Assignment Help!

Review grade 9 concepts and syllabus

Imagine yourself preparing a dish without knowing its key ingredients or the cooking method. Would you be able to prepare the dish? No. 

We generally watch videos and ask our parents or experts before trying anything new. Similarly, Grade 9 Math is a new task for you. You must know which chapters, lessons, and topics make up the syllabus. These are basic research that 9th-grade students must do before the session begins. 

If you do not do this basic research, your chase for a better grade 9 score could be nothing but a directionless goal. So better be late than never, and review your grade 9 concepts right away. Here’s a little help for you, with Grade 9 topic names and a brief description:

Algebra I and II

9th grade mostly covers Algebra 1. Algebra is the foundation for many other advanced math concepts, so it is important to have a strong understanding of algebra before moving on to other topics. Some key algebra concepts that students need to know include solving equations, working with polynomials, and graphing functions.

At Wiingy, we teach many 9th-grade students. The tutors and students are of the opinion that Algebra 1 is the most challenging lesson for most of the students. So make sure to invest maximum time and effort in preparing well for Algebra 1.

Geometry

Geometry is the study of shapes and space. It is used in many different fields, including architecture, engineering, and design. Some key geometry concepts that you must know include angles, triangles, and circles. Not as tough as Algebra 1, but geometry is also a challenging subject for grade 9 students.

Pre-calculus

Pre-calculus is a bridge course between algebra and calculus. It covers a variety of topics, including trigonometry, exponential functions, and logarithms. Pre-calculus is good preparation for students who plan to take calculus in college. As it uses Algebra as its base, it’s comparatively a more difficult math subject.

For a detailed understanding of the high school curriculum and syllabus please read High School Math Syllabus and What is 9th-grade Math?

Figure out curriculum expectations

Curriculum planning is the process of creating a blueprint for learning. It involves identifying the goals of instruction, selecting the content and activities that will be used to achieve those goals, and estimating the effort. 

Here’s a small exercise for you to figure out your curriculum expectations. Write down the answers to these questions to gain clarity on your curriculum goals and expectations: 

Identifying learning goals

• What do you want to do by the end of the course or unit?
• What are the most important topics to practice?
• What are the most difficult math topics? 
• What are easy-to-score math topics? 

Finding resources

• What textbooks, articles, websites, and other resources are available to learn the material?
• What activities and assessments will help you achieve your learning goals?

Time Management

• How much time will each lesson or activity take?

Once you have identified your learning goals, found resources, and estimated the effort, you can start to create your study plan.

Make your own study plan

Once you know what are your curriculum expectations, you can easily make a study plan around the curriculum. 

Effective study habits, skills, and attitudes have consistently been linked to academic success. Research suggests that students who set clear goals and stick to effective study plans are more likely to stay organized and make efficient use of their study time. Source: Crede, M., & Kuncel, N. R. (2008).

Follow these steps to make your study plan:

Consider your learning goals

What do you want to achieve by the end of your course or program? What’s your target score? Once you know your goals, you can start to identify the specific topics and activities that will help you reach them.

Consider your needs

What are your interests? What do you want to learn? What are your prior knowledge and skills? What are your learning styles? By understanding your needs, you can create a curriculum that is both engaging and challenging.

Be realistic

Do not over-commit. You should know your potential. If you’re able to complete only 10 problems a day, don’t plan for 20. At the same time, do not underestimate yourself. Be prepared to invest those extra hours and effort whenever needed.

Talk to your teachers and mentors

They can help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and develop a curriculum that is appropriate for your level and goals.

Finally, create a study plan

You can make a daily, weekly, and monthly study plan. Your study plan should include the following details: 

Number of hours: Fix the number of hours you will dedicate to your 9th-grade math. 

Time of the day: Fix the time of the day that is most suitable for practicing 9th-grade math. 

Lessons or Concepts: Fix what lessons or concepts you will practice each day of the week.

Test day: Fix a day when you will take a test on the lessons or concepts you’ve learned. If you do not have a math tutor, you can test your skills by choosing questions from past year’s papers, solving them, and marking yourself honestly.

Monthly goal: Fix what concepts will be done by the end of each month. 

💡Tip: You can use Google Sheets, study plan calendars, note-taking tools, or a simple pen and diary to plan your study.

Practice past papers 

Practicing past papers is like taking memory tests after learning a concept. Taking memory tests is an effective study strategy to retain the concept for longer. Source: Roediger, H. L., & Karpicke, J. D. (2006).

Past papers also provide students with a good understanding of the test format and the types of questions that are likely to be asked. They help you identify the key topics that they need to focus on in their revision. 

They also allow you to practice answering test-style questions under timed conditions. If you practice past papers regularly, you can identify and address any weaknesses in your knowledge or understanding.

These are tips to practice past papers effectively:

Follow recent years’ papers

Look for papers from recent years, as this will give you the best idea of the current format of the test. 

For example, if you’re about to take your exam in 2024, start by practicing question papers from the year 2023 to the year 2014 in this order: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and so on.

Use past papers to revise a concept

When you are revising a topic, try to answer some past exam questions on that topic. This will assist in making an authentic self-assessment.

For example: If you are revising the concept of fractions in math, you could find some past exam questions on fractions and try to answer them. This will help you to identify the areas where you need more practice.

Focus on the timely completion of answers

Time yourself as you are answering the questions so that you can get used to working under timed conditions of the real test in the exam hall. 

For example: If the exam clocks for 3 hours, try to complete your practice papers in 2.5 hours. Save half an hour extra to review the answers and avoid delay.

Focus on the improvement areas

If you find any questions that you are struggling with, go back and revise the relevant topic.

Ask your teacher for help if you are still struggling with any questions.

For example, Many students find 9th-grade algebra difficult. If you get stuck in algebra problems, focus on practicing them more.

Find a math tutor

Research has shown that a clear understanding of the syllabus and teacher’s feedback is essential for effective learning. This understanding helps students identify what topics to focus on and ensures that they are adequately prepared for the content that will be tested. Source: Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007).

If you’re having trouble with 9th-grade math, a qualified high school math tutor can give you the extra support you need to succeed. 9th-grade math tutors can provide reliable learning resources, help you understand difficult concepts, assist with your assignments, and prepare you for tests.

Trying to do all of this on your own without a tutor is like trying to climb a mountain without a trekking pole. Investing in a private math tutor for personalized guidance and support is much easier and safer. You can find the benefits of working with a private math tutor in this article: Top Benefits of A Private High School Math Tutor.

If you don’t have time or other facilities for in-person tutoring, online tutoring is a great option. At Wiingy, you can find one-on-one online tutoring for high school math from top-rated and qualified tutors for as low as $28/hour. Wiingy tutoring has been rated 4.5/5 stars on Trust Pilot and 4.8/5 stars on Google by parents and students alike. Plus you get a free trial!

Our article Best Online Math Tutoring Services has a list of the best math tutoring services.

Be consistent with 9th-grade math tips

Math is a cumulative subject. This means that each new concept builds on the previous ones. If you don’t have a solid understanding of the basics, it will be difficult to succeed in more advanced topics.

Consistency is important because it helps you to build a solid foundation. When you practice math regularly, you are reinforcing the concepts you have already learned and making them more permanent. You are also developing your problem-solving skills and becoming more confident in your abilities.

When you are consistent with your math studies, you are also more likely to stay motivated. When you are making progress, you are more likely to want to keep going. However, if you fall behind, it can be difficult to catch up. This is why it is important to be consistent with your studies from the beginning.

👓📑  Recommended reading 👓📑 

1. What is 9th-grade Math?
2. Is 9th-grade math hard?
3. What Happens if You Fail in 9th-grade Math?
4. 9th-grade Math Resources

Looking to Learn 9th Grade Math? Book a Free Trial Lesson and match with top 9th Grade Math Tutors for Concepts, Projects, Homework help, and Assignment Help!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)