How to Study for a Math Test in High School?

Not sure about how to study for a math test in high school? Generally, we turn to our teachers to get tips for excelling in important tests. That’s what we did, we asked our high school math tutors to suggest the best tips to study for a math test in high school.

According to our expert tutors, starting early, planning ahead, practicing homework, past papers, and online exercises; managing time, setting rewards, taking breaks, and getting a good sleep are the non-negotiable steps to do well in math tests.

Looking to Learn High School Math? Book a Free Trial Lesson and match with top High School Math Tutors for Concepts, Homework Help, and Test Prep.

Read on to find a detailed step-wise guide for your high school math test with these expert tips coming right from our experienced high school math tutors: 

Start early

To prepare for a test, especially the hardest math in high school like calculus, it’s absolutely important to start early. Attending all classes and paying close attention will lay the groundwork for your success. If you find yourself struggling with challenging topics like derivatives or integrals, this is the perfect time to seek help from a calculus tutor. Wiingy‘s calculus tutors can guide you through these concepts, helping you understand the foundational topics well before the exam.

Do your homework

Homework is a valuable practice for reviewing and mastering the concepts taught or explained in class. It is important to complete your homework assignments honestly and thoroughly, as they will help you to identify any areas where you need additional practice. Understanding the basic math concepts taught in your homework will prepare you for future lessons and assessments.

Plan ahead

To avoid last-minute cramming, plan ahead and develop effective study habits. Set realistic time limits and begin studying three days before a test. Reduce the study load gradually as the test date approaches. Here is an example of the 3-2-1 approach:

• Day 3: Review all vocabulary, complete a variety of practice problems, and review incorrect homework answers (60 minutes).
• Day 2: Briefly review vocabulary and complete 10-15 practice problems (45 minutes).
• Day 1: Review vocabulary and complete one homework problem from each previous night (30 minutes).

This approach can help students to learn the material more effectively and to reduce stress on test day.

Practice past papers and sample 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).

One of the best ways to study math is by doing practice problems. Find practice problems in your textbook, online, or in workbooks. Also, collect past test papers. Teachers often provide old exam papers for practice. These test papers can also be found online. Rework and revise these problems and review your homework and notes. Create your practice test to try to solve each type of problem that may appear on the actual test.

Use flashcards

Flashcards can be a very effective tool for studying math. They can help you to memorize important formulas, definitions, and other information. Flashcards are also a great way to test your knowledge and identify any areas where you need more practice.

• Create flashcards for the most important concepts and skills. 
• Write the concept or skill on one side of the flashcard and the answer on the other side. 
• Go through your flashcards regularly.
• Use different colored flashcards for different topics. This can help you to stay organized and to easily find the flashcards you need.

Practice online

Take advantage of all available resources. Many websites, such as Study.com, Khan Academy, and YouTube, offer specialized math instruction. Many websites offer free and paid math practice problems. Furthermore, use online math games and puzzles. These games and puzzles can be a great way to practice math skills and learn new concepts.

Practice problem-solving and timing

Use a variety of resources to practice problem-solving and timing. This includes practice problems from your textbook, online practice websites, and old exams. Furthermore, set up a timer for each practice problem or problem set. This will help you to track your progress and identify any areas where you need to improve your speed. 

Set rewards

When you reach a study goal, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help you to stay motivated and on track. Create a reward system based on your interests. 

For example, if you want to save up for a special gift, put a small amount of money in a jar each time you complete a homework assignment. After the test, buy yourself the gift. Alternatively, reward yourself with self-care activities, such as a massage or a nice dinner, when you pass a test.

Learn from mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes when they are learning math. It is a normal part of the learning process. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes so that you can avoid making them again in the future.

• The first step is to identify the mistakes that you have made. This can be done by reviewing your homework, tests, and quizzes. Once you have identified your mistakes, you can start to analyze them.
• Once you have identified your mistake, try to understand why you made it. Once you understand why you made the mistake, you can start to develop strategies for avoiding it in the future.

Take breaks and Get good sleep

If you think practicing problems 14 hours at a stretch can fetch you a good score in math, perhaps you’re wrong. Studying any subject without breaks for longer than an hour makes it monotonous.

Taking a break between study hours ensures your mind has processed the already existing information and has space to start with a new lesson.

Getting good sleep is essential for studying math. When you don’t get enough sleep, you have difficulty focusing, paying attention, and remembering information. This can make it difficult to learn new concepts and solve math problems. Therefore, establish a regular sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible. This will help to regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

How much time does it take to prepare for a high school math test?

The amount of time it takes to prepare for a high school math test depends on several factors, including the difficulty of the test, the student’s prior knowledge of the material, and the student’s learning style. However, a good general rule of thumb is to start studying at least one month in advance of the test. This will give you enough time to review the material, practice solving problems, and identify any areas where you need additional help.

💡Useful Resource 👩‍💻 Best Websites for High School Math Worksheets.

How to study for a high school math exam in 1 week?

Math is a subject that requires regular practice. If you have practiced problems throughout the semester, one week can be good enough to revise the syllabus. 

But if you’ve no idea what was going on in your math class so far, one week might be too little to prepare for a high school math test inside out. 

However, you can still save your score by practicing a lot of sample papers and previous years’ question papers during this time. 

Here is a suggested study schedule for a high school math test:

• Three days before the test: Start practicing solving problems from the textbook and/or online practice websites. Focus on the types of problems that are most likely to appear on the test.
• Two days before the test: Take a practice test under timed conditions. This will help you to identify any areas where you need to improve your speed and accuracy.
• One day before the test: Review your notes and practice problems one last time. Get a good night’s sleep.

💡Useful Resource 🙌What is High School Math?

How to study for a high school math exam in 1 day?

If you already have a strong hold on the concepts and formulas of the math problems, you can practice sample test papers, exercises, and previous year’s papers in the standard time limit of the math exam.

However, if you haven’t practiced the problems previously at all, you may not expect to prepare yourself completely in 1 day for a math exam.  

But if that’s all the time and options you have, these tips might help you save your math grades: 

• Identify the key concepts and topics that will be covered on the exam. This can be done by reviewing your syllabus and notes, or by asking your teacher.
• Focus your studying on the most important concepts and topics. If you don’t have time to review everything, focus on the things that are most likely to be on the exam.
• Take breaks. Don’t try to study for hours on end without taking a break. Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes to stay focused.
• If you have time, you can also try to create a mind map or other visual representation of the key concepts and topics. This can be a helpful way to organize your thoughts and identify any gaps in your understanding.

👍🔍 Recommended Reading 📚📖

• How to Get Better at High School Math?
• Top Benefits of A Private High School Math Tutor

• Day 3: Review all vocabulary, complete a variety of practice problems, and review incorrect homework answers (60 minutes).
• Day 2: Briefly review vocabulary and complete 10-15 practice problems (45 minutes).
• Day 1: Review vocabulary and complete one homework problem from each previous night (30 minutes).

This approach can help students to learn the material more effectively and to reduce stress on test day.

Practice past papers and sample 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).

One of the best ways to study math is by doing practice problems. Find practice problems in your textbook, online, or in workbooks. Also, collect past test papers. Teachers often provide old exam papers for practice. These test papers can also be found online. Rework and revise these problems and review your homework and notes. Create your practice test to try to solve each type of problem that may appear on the actual test.

Use flashcards

Flashcards can be a very effective tool for studying math. They can help you to memorize important formulas, definitions, and other information. Flashcards are also a great way to test your knowledge and identify any areas where you need more practice.

• Create flashcards for the most important concepts and skills. 
• Write the concept or skill on one side of the flashcard and the answer on the other side. 
• Go through your flashcards regularly.
• Use different colored flashcards for different topics. This can help you to stay organized and to easily find the flashcards you need.

Practice online

Take advantage of all available resources. Many websites, such as Study.com, Khan Academy, and YouTube, offer specialized math instruction. Many websites offer free and paid math practice problems. Furthermore, use online math games and puzzles. These games and puzzles can be a great way to practice math skills and learn new concepts.

Practice problem-solving and timing

Use a variety of resources to practice problem-solving and timing. This includes practice problems from your textbook, online practice websites, and old exams. Furthermore, set up a timer for each practice problem or problem set. This will help you to track your progress and identify any areas where you need to improve your speed. 

Set rewards

When you reach a study goal, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help you to stay motivated and on track. Create a reward system based on your interests. 

For example, if you want to save up for a special gift, put a small amount of money in a jar each time you complete a homework assignment. After the test, buy yourself the gift. Alternatively, reward yourself with self-care activities, such as a massage or a nice dinner, when you pass a test.

Learn from mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes when they are learning math. It is a normal part of the learning process. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes so that you can avoid making them again in the future.

• The first step is to identify the mistakes that you have made. This can be done by reviewing your homework, tests, and quizzes. Once you have identified your mistakes, you can start to analyze them.
• Once you have identified your mistake, try to understand why you made it. Once you understand why you made the mistake, you can start to develop strategies for avoiding it in the future.

Take breaks and Get good sleep

If you think practicing problems 14 hours at a stretch can fetch you a good score in math, perhaps you’re wrong. Studying any subject without breaks for longer than an hour makes it monotonous.

Taking a break between study hours ensures your mind has processed the already existing information and has space to start with a new lesson.

Getting good sleep is essential for studying math. When you don’t get enough sleep, you have difficulty focusing, paying attention, and remembering information. This can make it difficult to learn new concepts and solve math problems. Therefore, establish a regular sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible. This will help to regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

How much time does it take to prepare for a high school math test?

The amount of time it takes to prepare for a high school math test depends on several factors, including the difficulty of the test, the student’s prior knowledge of the material, and the student’s learning style. However, a good general rule of thumb is to start studying at least one month in advance of the test. This will give you enough time to review the material, practice solving problems, and identify any areas where you need additional help.

💡Useful Resource 👩‍💻 Best Websites for High School Math Worksheets.

How to study for a high school math exam in 1 week?

Math is a subject that requires regular practice. If you have practiced problems throughout the semester, one week can be good enough to revise the syllabus. 

But if you’ve no idea what was going on in your math class so far, one week might be too little to prepare for a high school math test inside out. 

However, you can still save your score by practicing a lot of sample papers and previous years’ question papers during this time. 

Here is a suggested study schedule for a high school math test:

• Three days before the test: Start practicing solving problems from the textbook and/or online practice websites. Focus on the types of problems that are most likely to appear on the test.
• Two days before the test: Take a practice test under timed conditions. This will help you to identify any areas where you need to improve your speed and accuracy.
• One day before the test: Review your notes and practice problems one last time. Get a good night’s sleep.

💡Useful Resource 🙌What is High School Math?

How to study for a high school math exam in 1 day?

If you already have a strong hold on the concepts and formulas of the math problems, you can practice sample test papers, exercises, and previous year’s papers in the standard time limit of the math exam.

However, if you haven’t practiced the problems previously at all, you may not expect to prepare yourself completely in 1 day for a math exam.  

But if that’s all the time and options you have, these tips might help you save your math grades: 

• Identify the key concepts and topics that will be covered on the exam. This can be done by reviewing your syllabus and notes, or by asking your teacher.
• Focus your studying on the most important concepts and topics. If you don’t have time to review everything, focus on the things that are most likely to be on the exam.
• Take breaks. Don’t try to study for hours on end without taking a break. Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes to stay focused.
• If you have time, you can also try to create a mind map or other visual representation of the key concepts and topics. This can be a helpful way to organize your thoughts and identify any gaps in your understanding.

👍🔍 Recommended Reading 📚📖

• How to Get Better at High School Math?
• Top Benefits of A Private High School Math Tutor

Looking to Learn High School Math? Book a Free Trial Lesson and match with top High School Math Tutors for Concepts, Homework Help, and Test Prep.

Frequently Asked Questions