As individual student works through XLMath, site’s server not only keeps track of scores and percent of problems answered correctly, it keeps track of time spent solving each problem so each student can concentrate on those concepts posing greatest difficulty. Once students have identified and overcome conceptual problem areas, they can put their skills to test in real time, taking a number of simulated 25 minute, 20-question exams that simulate testing time constraints.

The company offers three affordable programs. The cram course, designed for students who are looking for an interactive tool they can use to reinforce what they already know, costs $29.95 and lasts for 30 days. The mathematically challenged can take advantage of two extended programs at slightly higher cost. An additional $10 extends “drill and kill” program to three months; All-Star program for $49.95 provides user access for nine months.

Parents interested in enrolling their children in company’s program are encouraged to visit XLMath’s web site to give it a test drive. Those interested in making direct inquiries can email XLMath’s administration team using hyperlink found in right hand column or call (310) 500-2234.

How about Lectures. Do you say let us bunk class, as such I do not understand any thing in class. But before that study habits of toppers in your college, do they always bunk classes. You will get surprised… are not you????

The key to do well in examinations and interviews is to stay with teacher always and each time. You may do well in examinations by mugging up chapters but thorough understanding will come through regular classes only. You will be rewarded sooner than later.

I understand everything but do not retain anything! Is your memory trained?

Understand and follow Memory Principles Why certain things go in memory forever while others are hard to remember?

Memory Principles:

Selectivity: You cannot memorize every thing in your textbooks. Use chapter subheadings, end of chapter questions and graphs and charts to help choose what is most important.

Distributed Practice: Recognize that you can concentrate on difficult subjects for short periods so breakdown topic in small portions and concentrate on one at one time. Move on to next only after you are comfortable with previous one.

Mental Visualization: You remember and understand things best when you see them. So try to picture things in your mind that you need to remember. Be quick to make a note somewhere to revise.

Interest: You always understand and remember things in which you are interested. Before studying a subject try to invoke your interest in that subject. Use power of autosuggestion for that if possible. It will run for sure what it requires is a little patience.

Association: Try to connect information, which you are learning with what you already know and try to establish a connection. At exam time you will be able to use connection and retrieve required information.

Consolidation: It takes time for information to sink in and be secured in long-term memory. So take good notes and review these often. Also plan gaps between two different topics lest these get mixed up.

Recitation: You can learn difficult concepts in any subject you can remember them more clearly if you explain ideas aloud I your own words.

Meaningful Organization: It is easy to remember is material is arranged in logical groupings and category wise. Try to break up things and arrange these in various categorical blocks.

Intent to Remember: Half time you just listen/ study with a mental set up of not remembering it. Make up your mind and fix up your attitude for what is coming. Remember you can do a thing only if you want to do it.

Key to Memory improvement is timely revision

Regular revision improves your memory and gives you a better understanding of subject. You should aim to do such general revision in week 5 and week 8 of each semester. Remember revision involves attempting questions, writing out definitions, proofs, drawing diagrams etc. and not just reading your notes over and over again. At least 3 weeks before exams start, draw up an exam timetable and revision plan and stick to it. A good starting point is to summarize notes you have on each topic. You should try to reduce your notes to key words and phrases. This will form basis of your revision notes. You can reduce your notes further so that information fits on one side of an A4 page or an index card. Use diagrammatical notes if you memories material more easily in a visual form.

Use your original revision notes to check where there are gaps in your notes. Check your answers by using original notes. Fill in forgotten facts with another color pen. Repeat process until all gaps have disappeared.

It’s quality of your revision that’s important not quantity!! Don’t kid yourself that if you are reading something you are revising it- you need to be actively reading in order for your study time to be constructive.

Keep a record of your productivity, not just how long your revision sessions last.

Revision Strategies

Plan your revision: Make a revision timetable at start of your revision period and keep it up to date. Never forget that a plan should be flexible and should be revised periodically as your work progresses. You will remember far more if you make your revision an active learning process.

Do not plan to study one subject for a long period. Break your study into periods of between 40 and 60 minutes depending on your concentration stretch. Allow for short breaks in your revision - have a snack, walk around for five minutes etc.

Try using Mnemonics. This is way of remembering by using abbreviations, words or phrases. For each course sort out your lecture notes, handouts and other material. Use all relevant material available for making notes but be careful WHEN YOU SET OUT FOR REVISION YOU SHOULD RESTRICCT YOUR SELF TO YOUR NOTES ONLY.

Arrange and cross-link: your knowledge in each course. It helps to make "concept diagrams" where you link together groups of separate topics in a course.

Check format of each examination: It will give you a fair idea of examination you will be taking. How many questions must you answer? How long will you have? How many choices you will be having and which are chapters which require more attention and what is that which can be left conveniently. Look at past examination papers: You should use these as a guide to material you need to know.

Create a revision group: You can form a group with friends taking same course(s). Meet regularly to discuss questions and topics. However you should be careful in choosing its members. They should not be wasting your time and their standards should be compatible with those of yours neither too high nor too low.

Put together notes on questions and issues that you cannot jointly answer: Take these with you when you seek advice from tutors and lecturers.

Try writing: Always try to write down salient points about a question with out referring your notes. It will show your real preparation other wise it may happen that by looking at a question you may feel that you know all about it but when it comes to writing you may fail miserably.

Continued... For consultation and advise please mail me at aknigin@yahoo.com