Early preparations• Pen and common stationery• A scientific calculator• 2B pencils• A soft eraser• A 30cm long transparent plastic ruler• Geometry set – a compasses, a protractor and

a set square• Graph paper• Text book / revision series• Authentic SPM examination papers starting

2003

Basic skills needed for SPM• The multiplication table from 1 to 9• The basic 4 operations of +, - , x and ÷• Computations in whole numbers, fractions

and decimals • Computations involving the basic

measurement ( length, mass and time )• Simple constructions• Organizing structured data and concluding

skill• Systematic presentation according to fixed

algorithm and procedures

Effective methods in studying mathematics• Give full attention when the teacher is teaching• Understand the relevant Mathematics concepts• Understand the calculations involved via samples

calculations• Apply similar skills in different situation• Memorize the formula• Have enough practice by doing lots of exercises from

each topic• Have lots of drilling exercises including past year

questions (at least for 5 most recent years)

General strategies for answering mathematics• Read every question carefully.• Answer the easy question first. Attempt

the difficult ones later. Use the extra time to check your answer.

• Answer based on the task words.• Give the correct answer.• Simplify the answer.• Use the mathematical instrument such

as geometry set if needed.

Students common mistake

1. Solve y2 – 4y = 12Incorrect

y2 – 4y = 12y ( y – 4 ) = 12y = 12,

y – 4 = 12y = 16

Correct

y2 – 4y = 12y2 – 4y – 12 = 0( y + 2 ) ( y – 6 ) = 0y = -2 , y = 6

2. Factorise completely 4x2 – 9

Incorrect

4x2 – 9= (2x)2 – 32

= (2x – 3)2

Correct

4x2 – 9= (2x)2 – 32

= (2x – 3)(2x + 3)

3. Round off 4952 correctto two significant figures

Incorrect

4952

= 50

Correct

4952

= 5 000

4. Determine whether the mathematical sentence is a statement. Give the reason.

‘ 5 X 3 = 8 ‘

Incorrect

Is not a statement.

Correct

A statement.

Complete the following argument.P1 : If x – 7 = 11, then x = 18.p2 : x ≠ 18C : ____________________Incorrect

Not x – 7 = 11

Correct

x – 7 ≠ 11

State the y-intercept of the straight line LK

Incorrect

y-intercept = (0,5)

Correct

y-intercept = 5

Incorrect

7

Correct

3

Score 1 2 3 4 5 6

Mode 3 5 7 1 2 4

State the score mode

Given that sin x = 0.5219, find the value of xIncorrect

sin x = 0.5

x = 30°

Correct

sin x = 0.5219

x = 31° 28’