The Problem: Students rush through questions and misunderstand what's being asked.

Common Instance: Mixing up "find the value" with "prove that" or missing crucial information in word problems.

Solution: Spend 2-3 minutes reading the entire paper first. Read each question twice before attempting. Highlight key information in the question.

The Problem: Students jump to answers without showing all steps, losing marks for incomplete working.

Common Instance: Writing final answer directly without showing calculations or intermediate steps.

Solution: Write every step clearly. Examiners want to see your work. Partial marks are given for correct methods even if the final answer is wrong.

The Problem: Simple calculation mistakes lead to wrong answers despite correct method.

Common Instance: Negative sign errors, forgetting to carry over, mistakes in decimal calculations.

Solution: Double-check calculations. Use a calculator for complex arithmetic. Review your work before finalizing answers.

The Problem: Missing units in final answers or not using correct significant figures.

Common Instance: Writing "100" instead of "100 cm²" for area problems.

Solution: Always mention units with your answers. Pay attention to significant figures as per the question requirements.

The Problem: Mistakes with positive/negative signs in equations and problems.

Common Instance: Errors in coordinate geometry, solving equations with negative coefficients.

Solution: Be extra careful with signs. Verify your answer by substituting back into the original equation when possible.

The Problem: Using wrong formula or forgetting a crucial formula.

Common Instance: Using arithmetic mean formula instead of geometric mean for sequences.

Solution: Keep a formula sheet handy. Practice problems to recognize which formula applies to which situation.

The Problem: Spending too much time on one question, leaving no time for others.

Common Instance: Getting stuck on a difficult question and not attempting easier ones later.

Solution: Manage time wisely. Attempt easier questions first. Leave difficult questions for later. Aim to complete all questions in the allocated time.

The Problem: Drawing diagrams without labeling or with missing information.

Common Instance: Geometry proofs without properly marked angles or sides.

Solution: Draw diagrams neatly with proper labels. Mark given information clearly. Use a ruler for geometric diagrams.

The Problem: In geometry proofs, skipping logical steps or not properly stating what to prove.

Common Instance: Jumping to conclusions without stating the reasons (postulate or theorem used).

Solution: State what you're given. State what you need to prove. Present steps logically with reasons for each statement.

The Problem: Getting anxious and not reviewing answers before submitting.

Common Instance: Submitting exam without checking for silly mistakes.

Solution: Keep 10-15 minutes for review. Check calculations, signs, and whether all parts of the question are answered.