How to Study Maths and Achieve Top Grades: 15 Proven Tips for Cambridge Students
Learn how to study maths effectively and achieve top grades with these top 1 expert study tips, mindset strategies, and practical advice tailored for students.
STUDENTS
Achiever Tandoh
7/4/20259 min read
How to Study Maths and Achieve Top Grades: 15 Tips
For some students, maths is a fascinating subject of patterns and logic; for others, it’s a source of anxiety and frustration. Yet across all Cambridge levels, one truth remains, scoring high in maths is possible for anyone who learns to study it the right way.
At Chimhanda Tutoring, we’ve worked with students who once felt completely lost in their maths lessons but later went on to achieve top grades, not because they suddenly became “geniuses,” but because they learned to think, plan, and study strategically.
This guide is for students who want to do more than just “get by.” It’s for those who want to understand maths deeply, gain confidence in the subject, and perform at their very best in exams. Whether you’re preparing for IGCSE, AS, or A Level Mathematics, the study tips here will help you transform the way you study math and boost your grades.
1. Understand the Nature of Maths
Before diving into study tips, it’s essential to understand what makes maths different from other subjects.
In subjects like History or English, you can sometimes pass well through basic memory and interpretation. Maths, on the other hand, is cumulative, meaning each new idea builds on the previous one. If you don’t fully understand a foundation topic, the next one becomes much harder.
This means that studying maths effectively isn’t about memorising methods or copying examples. It’s about developing a clear mental framework where every concept connects logically to the next.
To achieve top grades in maths, aim for understanding, not memorisation. When you know why something works, remembering how it works becomes easy.
2. Build a Strong Foundation
You can’t master advanced topics without being solid on the basics. Many students struggle not because they’re incapable, but because they’ve tried to jump ahead before they’re ready.
Start by identifying your weak areas, topics that cause confusion, hesitation, or frequent mistakes. These are your foundation gaps, and they need attention before anything else.
Here’s how to strengthen your foundation:
Go back to your notes and textbooks. Revisit earlier topics, even those from past years. Don’t feel embarrassed, professional mathematicians constantly review the basics as well.
Use a tutor or teacher’s help. Sometimes, all you need is a different explanation to make things click.
Practise simple problems first. Confidence grows when you can solve straightforward questions quickly and accurately.
Struggling with the basics isn’t a weakness. Every top student has gone through this phase, because the harsh truth is, you cannot run a 100 meters without completing the first 10 meters.
3. Be Consistent
Most students don’t fail maths because it’s too hard, they fail because they study it inconsistently. You can’t “cram” for maths the way you might for an essay-based or theory-heavy subject.
Maths understanding grows through daily exposure. Even 30 minutes of focused study every other day can make a huge difference over time.
Consistency trains your brain to stay “maths fit.” It also reduces exam stress because you’re reviewing continuously, not at the last minute.
Treat maths practice like going to the gym. You won’t get stronger by lifting the heaviest weight once a month, regular small and consistent efforts produce better results.
4. Learn Actively, Not Passively
Many students think they’re studying when they’re just watching someone else do maths, whether it’s a YouTube video, class demo, or tutor session. But true learning only happens when you are the one thinking, writing, and solving.
Active learning means you should:
Work through problems yourself before checking the solution.
Explain your reasoning out loud even if you’re alone. Teaching a concept to yourself helps it stick.
Analyse your mistakes. Don’t just note the right answer; understand why your approach didn’t work.
Passive learners copy solutions; active learners build understanding.
After each study session, write down one thing you understand better than before and one thing you still find confusing. This reflection keeps your learning focused.
5. Develop a Positive Maths Mindset
Many students believe maths ability is something you’re either born with or not. This is one of the biggest myths in education.
Mathematical skill is not about innate talent, it’s about practice, patience, and problem-solving mindset.
Here’s how to build a positive maths mindset:
Replace “I’m bad at maths” with “I’m still learning this topic.”
Celebrate small victories. Getting one more question right than last week is progress.
Focus on effort, not just results. Every mistake is data, it shows you what to work on next.
Your brain literally grows new connections when you struggle with difficult problems. So instead of seeing difficulty as failure, recognise it as proof that you’re learning.
Top grades come from persistence, not perfection.
6. Create an Effective Study Environment
The way you study matters as much as what you study.
Your environment should make it easier to focus and harder to get distracted.
Here’s how to optimise it:
Find a quiet, tidy space. A clutter-free desk helps your mind stay clear.
Put away your phone. Even short notifications break your concentration.
Use study tools wisely. Highlighters, sticky notes, or apps like Notion and Quizlet can help you stay organised.
Also, decide on a study ritual. For example:
Sit down with water and your notes.
Spend 5 minutes reviewing yesterday’s work.
Set a timer for focused study (Pomodoro technique works well — 25 minutes study, 5 minutes break).
Consistency in your environment builds consistency in your results.
7. Master the Art of Practice
If understanding is the foundation of maths success, practice is the engine that drives it forward.
But not all practice is equal. Here’s how to practise effectively:
Start with clarity.
Before solving a question, make sure you understand what it’s asking. Many mistakes come from misreading the problem.
Mix up question types.
Don’t stick to the same format. Challenge yourself with different wording, contexts, and difficulty levels.
Review and correct.
After solving a set of questions, check your answers carefully. Identify patterns in your mistakes, maybe you’re rushing, or maybe a concept still feels fuzzy.
Track your progress.
Keep a notebook where you record which topics you’ve practised and which ones need more work. This turns revision into a strategic process rather than a random one.
Simulate exam conditions.
Once you’re comfortable, practise past papers under timed conditions. This builds speed, confidence, and exam stamina.
When practising, don’t avoid the hard questions, those are the ones that make you grow.
8. Ask Questions, Lots of Them
Top students are generally curious students. They don’t just memorise answers; they question everything.
When something doesn’t make sense, ask why. Why does this method work? Why do we use this rule here? Why can’t we do it another way?
Asking questions:
Deepens your understanding.
Prevents confusion later on.
Shows your teachers and tutors that you’re engaged.
If you’re shy in class, write your questions down and ask them later during one-on-one time or tutoring.
Remember, there are no “silly questions” in maths, only unasked ones.
9. Use the Right Resources
Today’s students have more maths resources than ever before, but not all of them are useful. The goal is to find materials that explain clearly, match your syllabus, and encourage understanding.
Here are a few resource categories worth using:
Textbooks: Cambridge-endorsed books are great for step-by-step conceptual learning.
Online videos: Choose creators who explain concepts, not just provide quick tricks.
Past papers: The most powerful revision tool for exams. Learn to use Past Papers the right way.
Tutoring: Personalised support from a tutor who identifies your gaps and strengthens them.
Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many sources. Pick a few high-quality ones and stick with them.
10. Make Revision Strategic
As exams approach, revision can feel overwhelming. But with a clear plan, you can revise efficiently and confidently.
Here’s a framework you can use:
Step 1: Identify priorities.
Make a list of all topics. Use colour coding — green for strong, yellow for moderate, red for weak.
Step 2: Focus on your red zones first.
Improving weak topics gives the fastest grade improvement.
Step 3: Review actively.
Don’t just reread notes. Practise, summarise in your own words, and test yourself regularly.
Step 4: Rotate topics.
Don’t spend all week on one topic. Mixing them helps your brain stay flexible.
Step 5: Schedule rest.
Your brain consolidates learning during breaks and sleep. Balance intensity with recovery.
Step 6: Simulate exams.
Do timed papers regularly, mark them carefully, and learn from every error.
A revision plan isn’t about doing everything at once; it’s about doing the right things in the right order.
11. Manage Exam Pressure
Maths exams can be intimidating, even for strong students. Managing pressure effectively is part of achieving top grades.
Here’s how to stay calm and focused:
Prepare early. Confidence grows from preparation, not luck.
Practise time management. During mock exams, practise allocating time per question.
Use breathing techniques. Deep, slow breaths help calm your nervous system.
Read each question twice. Prevent careless mistakes by ensuring you fully understand what’s being asked.
Start with questions you know. Build momentum early to reduce stress.
Remember an exam is just an opportunity to show what you already know. Make an effort to learn how to take exams effectively to maximize your marks, because it doesn’t matter how much you know, if you can’t show the examiner, you won’t get any marks.
12. Learn from Every Test
Even after an exam, the learning doesn’t stop.
When you receive marked work, don’t just look at the grade. Analyse it carefully:
Where did you lose marks?
Were there careless errors or conceptual misunderstandings?
Did you manage your time well?
Use this feedback to adjust your study approach. Improvement comes from reflection.
13. Balance Work, Rest, and Life
At the heart of every top student’s story is belief, the conviction that they can and will improve.
You might not be there yet, but with patience, the right guidance, and consistent effort, you will get there.
Every maths problem you solve is proof of growth. Every moment of frustration is an invitation to learn something new.
At Chimhanda Tutoring, we’ve seen countless students who once felt hopeless, discover that with the right mindset and study habits, top grades aren’t just possible, they’re inevitable.
Final Thoughts
Studying maths effectively isn’t about putting in endless hours or sleeping on your study desk. It’s about understanding, consistency, mindset, and smart strategy.
Here’s what to remember:
Build strong foundations.
Study regularly, not randomly.
Practise actively and reflect on mistakes.
Ask questions and seek help when needed.
Believe in your ability to grow.
Every time you sit down to study maths, you’re training your brain to think in sharper, clearer ways. That skill will serve you far beyond your exams. You’ll find it useful in problem-solving, decision-making, and confidence in your own ability to tackle challenges.
So keep going, one topic at a time. You’re not just learning maths, you’re learning how to think, persevere, and succeed.
If you’re ready to take your maths study to the next level, Chimhanda Tutoring is here to help. Our Cambridge-qualified tutors create personalised learning plans that target your weaknesses, strengthen your understanding, and build lasting confidence.
Whether you’re preparing for IGCSE or A Level Maths, we’ll guide you step-by-step toward the grades you deserve.
👉 Sign Up today to book a Free Trial Lesson and discover how much more confident you can feel in maths.
It’s easy to burn out when chasing top grades. But your brain performs best when it’s supported by rest, nutrition, and balance.
Sleep: Aim for 7–8 hours. Sleep consolidates learning.
Exercise: Even short walks improve concentration and mood.
Hydration: Dehydration can lower focus by up to 20%.
Hobbies: Give your brain space to recharge creatively.
You’re not a robot and great maths performance depends on a healthy, well-rested mind.
14. Learn How to Think Like a Mathematician
To truly excel, you need to go beyond doing maths and start thinking mathematically.
That means:
Looking for patterns.
Checking the logic behind each step.
Being curious about alternative methods.
Verifying your answers independently.
When you approach maths as a puzzle rather than a chore, it becomes far more enjoyable and your performance skyrockets.
A top-grade student doesn’t just “know methods”; they understand the reasoning behind the methods. That’s what makes their work elegant, confident, and correct.
15. Believe That You Can Improve
