Quick update before I get to the 14th Quick Step:
Math by Edison continues to build on ‘math isn’t what makes math hard’, learning habits and any non-math strategy – it’s been my job for 80,000 hours.
What’s new?
First article for Message to Math Teachers written on Tues Jan. 9
Wed Feb. 10 wrote a letter to a newspaper that published a Gibberish image,
March 2024 will be 12 months of writing Math by Edison.
Yay! Oh, and next Sunday you’ll get the first update on my, ‘I will write funny’ Resolution.
Gotta keep learning! Onto the 14th Quick Step.
14th Quick Step: Its three days before your test … here is what you do.
Its three days before your test … the teacher has just assigned the Test Review.
5th Quick Step reminder: The purpose of a test is to find out how much you remember.
If you’ve read How to Study for a Test, 5:1 Test prep ratio, and implemented it throughout the unit 😊, well, your test prep is as easy as 1-2-3, a cinch - you could write the test now and do well*. Why? Well, your test prep ratio is now at 4:1, and all that’s left to do is the Test Review! But we want to get you to reach your potential, right? So, let’s focus on step 5 of the test prep to get you to 5:1.
What’s step 5 in the 5:1 test prep ratio?
It’s doing the test review your teacher gives you, and here’s how I want you to do that review!
First, grab your Summary Sheets (aka the Fantastical Five) and
redo each question you made for the unit. Redoing those easy questions refreshes the math throughout the unit and prepares you to do better with the test review.
A strong math foundation is the starting point to being strong with math.
Summary Sheets then, become the go-to step before starting the test review.
That’s it, though here’s the countdown steps for one, two, three days before the test:
SUMMARY SHEETS - three days before test
1) Do the question on the first Summary Sheet.
2) Check what you did against the 'solution' on your Summary Sheet.
3) If it's correct, rejoice as you've shown the question who's the boss.
4) If not correct or if unsure:
4a) look at the Word & Symbol meanings or Picture for hints, and when you figure it out, revel in your mini-victory 😊,
4b) If the hints don't help, then look over the solution on the Summary Sheet to understand better. Highlight that Sheet.
5) Keep doing 1 to 4. until all questions on Summary Sheets are completed.6) Then, go back and redo the highlighted questions and aim to get them without hints.
You've refreshed all the math you were taught in this unit. Bask in the moment, but just for a moment! There's still more journey left.
Kept it fresh! You've completed the Summary Sheets and made the math done weeks ago just as fresh as the math done two days ago. Now, we use that strength to do better with the test review.
Test REVIEW - two days before test
A test review covers all math taught in the unit – e.g. class notes, homework, quizzes, assignments.
Now, you’ll do that ‘review’ as a mock test (also known as a ‘pre-test’ or a test that’s not really a test), so no peeking at answers at the back of the textbook. Summary Sheet questions you just completed are the review for this ‘mock test’!
1) Start with the first review question.
2a) If you get the question, thump your chest in glee.
2b) If you make a Slip-Up Error, correct it quickly.
2c) If you don’t get the question, think about other parts of the Summary Sheet, and if one helps, be delighted! You just figured out a question that stumped you seconds ago; That’s a point for you. Yay!
2d) If you still can’t figure it out, highlight it (you’ll do it later).3) Do you do all the review questions? Quick answer – I’d advise you focus on the questions that you created Summary Sheets for and did homework on. Otherwise, you may not have done enough foundation work and reinforcement.
4a) Now go back and look at the questions you highlighted (i.e. did not get)
4b) If you’re familiar with Edison’s ‘How to figure out questions that stump you’ strategy, then go for it,
4c) Otherwise, seek help from Summary Sheets, class notes, or your teacher.
You’ve done the review and hit the 5:1 test prep ratio. Nice!
Take a break! When your brain is turning to mush, and you’re spinning your wheels, it’s breaktime. Yes, I know there’s possibly no breaks on the test, but a Test Review has more questions than will be on a test. So yes, take a break once your brain is shutting down and begging for recess.
GET STRONGER AND QUICKER – one day before the test
You’re aiming to make sure the stuff you understand, you know better so can get it quicker.
Quiz yourself on random questions you got correct on the Test Review.
Quiz yourself on any Summary Sheet question you highlighted.
Quiz yourself on any Test Review question you highlighted and figured out with help.
Ask your teacher questions.
That’s it.
Oh, one more quick tip for the day before the test - do not attempt any question you still need help understanding. That’s called cramming, as you’ll only have time for a 1:1 prep. That’s like your teacher teaching you a new concept today and testing you on it tomorrow - there’s a reason they never do that!
EXAM PREP QUICK STEP
It’s final math exam season here in Ontario, Canada (Jan. 24 - Jan. 30), and this article on, ‘It’s three days before the test …, can also be used when prepping for a final exam. But with the final exam covering the whole course (six to ten units, not one unit), this will change to, ‘It’s five days before the final exam. Here is what you do’’.
Three Quick Steps of this Test Review
1) Three days before test: Use Summary Sheets to make math in the whole unit fresh and stronger
2) Two days before test: Do the Test Review3) One day before test: Get stronger and quicker
Three-two-one day before the test quick step, eh!
EH
What’s EH? My initials for Edison Hopkinson.
What’s ‘eh’? ‘eh’ is a part of Canadian culture - it’s how many of us snow loving people finish off sentences.
It’s cold today, eh! Yes, you’re ready for that test, eh?