As a Medicine student at the University of Glasgow, I use mathematics every day. But I still remember the specific pressure of the Higher Maths exam hall. It is a rite of passage for students across Glasgow, from the West End to the Southside, and it remains one of the toughest qualifications to secure.
Having achieved straight As and now tutoring the subject, I know that success at Higher isn't just about being "good with numbers"—it's about strategy.
1. The "Process" Over the "Answer"
One of the biggest anxieties my students face is getting the final number wrong. However, in my experience with SQA marking schemes, marks are predominantly awarded for the process, not just the final answer.
If you make a small arithmetic error but your method—say, in a complex Differentiation question—is correct, you can still gain the majority of the marks[cite: 6]. As a tutor, I train students to lay out their working clearly so they harvest every possible mark, even if they slip up on a calculation.
2. Mastering the Basics Before the Complex
In medical school, you cannot diagnose a patient if you don't understand basic anatomy. Similarly, in Higher Maths, you cannot tackle complex past paper questions until your algebra skills are rock solid. Algebra underpins almost every topic in the Higher course[cite: 4]. My sessions often start by reinforcing these foundations to ensure the student doesn't crumble under the weight of harder questions.
3. Local Glasgow Expertise
I understand the local school ecosystem. Whether you are at a large comprehensive or a private school in the city, the SQA curriculum is the great equaliser. I offer:
- Patient, paced learning (drawing on my experience as a swim teacher).
- Exam-room strategies tailored to Scottish papers.
- Relatability: I am a student too; I know what burnout feels like.