1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Chat

Improve Test-Taking Scores: Learn From Your Mistakes

Improve Test-Taking Scores: Learn From Your Mistakes

Sep 20, 2021

By Diane H. Wong

Every math teacher will tell you that there are at least three common errors seen on tests and exercise review questions. However, by paying close attention to the errors they made, students can — and have — improved their math scores in both tests and daily work.  

3 Common Errors in Math

1. Failure to Answer the Question 

Students who don’t actually answer the question are either reading the question incorrectly or are only answering part of what the question is asking for. There are two components to this common error. The first is when the problem is either a 2 or 3 step problem; they answer only the first part of the problem. The second component is when a problem is misinterpreted, which means they haven’t fully comprehended the problem or used the wrong application when solving the problem.

 

Remedy

Highlight the important parts of the problem. We use this strategy in other subjects and should use it in math too. Re-read the problem. Once the problem is solved, ALWAYS go back and read the problem again to ensure the question was answered. Ask yourself, what am I actually being asked for.

2.  Careless Errors

Careless errors are all too common. The response I often get from students when I give them the feedback regarding their careless errors is "Arrgggh!" As soon as I point out the carelessness, they recognize it immediately and quickly realize that they could have answered the question correctly.

Remedy

Go over the calculations to ensure they are correct. The best way to address careless errors is to check and re-check. Careless errors are often a result of a hurried attempt — if this is the case, slow down.

3.  Inappropriate Review/Practice

Have you ever practiced something only to realize you've done it all wrong? These errors are a direct result of missing parts of a formula or not quite using an algorithm correctly when practicing for a test.

Remedy

Study with a friend or go back to previous examples in your work or your textbook to ensure that you are using the correct strategies or applications for the problems.

Your next step is to analyze the patterns of errors you make and ask yourself what type of errors you see. Use the advice above, and you'll see improvement. However, if it's test anxiety you suffer from, you may also benefit from reviewing strategies for overcoming test taking anxiety.

Follow us:
Written by

Diane H. Wong


Diane H. Wong is a search engine optimization specialist, business coach, and a research paper writer at DoMyWriting service.

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled “New Around Here”: A Cinematic Journey into Struggles and Successes by Jennifer Hawkins, an Inspiring Student at LACC
“New Around Here”: A Cinematic Journey into Struggles and Successes by Jennifer Hawkins, an Inspiring Student at LACC
Main image for the article titled Exciting Changes to the TOEFL iBT® Test: Shorter Exam and Streamlined Experience
Exciting Changes to the TOEFL iBT® Test: Shorter Exam and Streamlined Experience
Main image for the article titled University of Pennsylvania ELP Profile: Odelia O. of France/Israel
University of Pennsylvania ELP Profile: Odelia O. of France/Israel
Main image for the article titled Read the new Global edition of Study in the USA today!
Read the new Global edition of Study in the USA today!
Read more

Check Out These Schools

University of North Carolina - Wilmington

University of North Carolina - Wilmington

$15,000—$20,000 Year

2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Certificate/Short Term Bachelor Degree
Contact
Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara City College

$5,000—$10,000 Year

Masters Online 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs
Contact
Ferris State University

Ferris State University

$5,000—$10,000 Semester

Undergraduate Masters 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs
Contact

Featured Programs

Portland Community College

Typical cost per Year: $5,000—$10,000

Certificate/Short Term English Programs 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs
Learn More

Bunker Hill Community College

Typical cost per Semester: $5,000—$10,000

Bachelor Degree Certificate/Short Term Summer
Learn More

Fairfax Christian School

Typical cost per Year: $40,000—$45,000

Secondary/Boarding Summer English Programs
Learn More

Related Stories

3 Tips for Making New Friends as an International Student

Main image for the article titled 3 Tips for Making New Friends as an International Student
Where to Find Housing as an International Student?

Main image for the article titled Where to Find Housing as an International Student?
Guaranteed Admission to a Prestigious UC at an Affordable Price Tag? A Reality for Many International Students

Main image for the article titled Guaranteed Admission to a Prestigious UC at an Affordable Price Tag? A Reality for Many International Students
Student Government Body of a US College: Everything you need to know as an International student

Main image for the article titled Student Government Body of a US College: Everything you need to know as an International student

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for The Intern Group

The Intern Group

Summer plans suspended because of COVID-19? The deadline's approaching for TheInternGroup's virtual/remote global internship program. Gain professional experience, grow your network and make your resume shine from wherever you are this summer.

Read more
Partner service logo for Morning Brew

Morning Brew

BECOME SMARTER IN JUST 5 MINUTES. Get the daily email that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. Stay informed and entertained, for free.

Read more
Partner service logo for Uniplaces

Uniplaces

Uniplaces is an accommodation provider with a large choice of verified rooms, entire flats and residences. The platform offers an easy, fast and safe way of booking a place to live. Check out the thousands of properties in the best cities and book a...

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

StudyUSA.com is a good website that sends me a lot of useful informations.

Wenbo Hu China

StudyUSA served good information to me to choose the school what I should go and it works well.

Mahiro Maehama Japan

...It is a difficult and tiring process to find the ideal university and I felt that I was alone in that process but I could see through the Study in the USA Instagram account that I was not alone and that I could achieve my dreams.

Thaisa Mayer Jamunda Brazil

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Featured Programs
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.