Michał Kościński Posted June 14, 2016 Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 Hello guys! In September I am going to start my IB course. HL Mathematics is the most important subject for me and I want to get a 7. I know that it won't be easy, but I am really motivated. Till September I have 3 months. What will be the best for improve my math skills and make my 7 more probably? Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IB`NOT`ez Posted June 14, 2016 Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 I don't take Maths HL and even in SL I'm already struggling.. But my friend who just came in to the DP a semester late quickly aced all Maths HL topical tests thrown at him, and even got a 6/7 for his recent mock exam. He said he mostly practiced and went through the textbook even while he was away so he didn't miss too much content -- you could try and work through some of the syllabus too first and get ahead. If you google "IB Maths HL Guide 2016", you should be able to find a PDF version of it, which contains the full syllabus. Then, videos like Khan Academy are a great place to also enhance your learning of the topics. Still though if I'm not mistaken, some Maths HL topics are first year university level of difficulty and the best thing you can do to try and prepare for it now before you actually enter the DP, is discipline yourself to have good study habits. I've heard a story of someone starting off with a 4 for Maths HL, but then by waking himself up every 4:30 in the morning and studying Maths until 6, he achieved a 7 in his final IB exams. 1 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michał Kościński Posted June 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Well, thanks, but by "what can I do" I don't think about period of IB, but about holiday before first class of the IB. I ask what should I do in July or in August for my math skills. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecsstudent Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 You can start reading through the first chapters using an IB book and solving exercises. That's pretty much all. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kw0573 Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 I disagree. You should look to consolidate your previous knowledge. Look through the HL prior learning topics, as found on the Math HL guide. For example, "Manipulation of linear and quadratic expressions, including factorization, expansion, completing the square and use of the formula": you need to be do most of this in very little time, maybe 30 seconds. You don't just need to know these topics, but you need to be able to apply them rapidly and efficiently. Also, HL Math is difficult not because that it covers university-level topics, but because for half of the finals, each question combines multiple topics. And I don't mean algebra and geometry, I mean calculus and probability, algebra/trig/complex numbers, complex numbers and permutations, etc. It goes beyond just learning a formula and apply it. For this reason HL Math remains harder than some of the second year university math classes I have taken. You would not like to lose marks because of careless mistakes in factoring or in other prior learning topics. 2 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michał Kościński Posted June 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 I have ended my pre-IB with 99% score, therefore I don't think that I need to consolidate my knowledge. Moreover, I really want to spend about tens of hours on math during holiday, so consolidating my previous knowledge wouldn't take me that much time Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kw0573 Posted June 18, 2016 Report Share Posted June 18, 2016 (edited) It seems that you already have an answer in mind and you just want others to say what you are looking for. Frankly, I don't understand why a person getting 99% in math, would want others' advice in studying math. Or even, why the same person would reject the advice he asked for. The two commentors before me suggested to read ahead (or watch videos), and I suggested to review. There really isn't another option, but only variations on these. We presented arguments on both sides but it's up to you to formulate a plan. You can't expect strangers to make detailed 10 hr/day plan for you, for free. You have access to the new syllabus and books and internet. Also, as a friendly reminder, most post-secondary admissions look at overall marks, instead of just one subject. Math HL was not the class I struggled in the most. 60 out of 70 people took Math HL in my graduating class when SL was an option and a handful of 7s every year so don't be tricked into thinking 7 in HL Math is the highest achievement in IB. If you are willing to spend 10 hours / day on studying, I would recommend a mix of subjects over just math. These, and those previously mentioned in others' posts, are not what you are looking for, but are good advice entering Math HL. Edited June 18, 2016 by kw0573 4 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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