Maths test results!

I take what I said about the test back, I actually did pretty well on it! I knew that I'd definitely lost at least some marks, as I found that I ended up with a ridiculous fraction for what was meant to be a fairly straightforward question about intersection of lines. I then got stuck on a question which required the equation of circle to be found from three points on its circumference. I tried to find two perpendicular bisectors and then find their point of intersection, but it was made harder by the said mistake earlier in the question, and I ran out of time after only a little progress (only getting 1 mark out of 4 in the end). Another 15 minutes-ish could have got me the full 4 though!

That brings me to today, when I got my paper back. I was so nervous about it, as I knew I had taken quite a few guesses along the way, but, as it so turned out, I got full marks in paper 1 (non calculator). I had a little celebration on the spot, although I had to wait in anticipation for paper 2, which was more difficult, and the one with the above straight line problems. As it so turned out, there was only one more mistake, when I was calculating the volume of a prism when I had found the area of its cross section using integration correctly, and I didn't realise I had only found the area of half of the shape (so needed to double it), meaning I had half the volume. Although had originally panicked this test might finish off my achievement in maths, it so turned out I got 115/120 - 96%! Immediately afterwards, I would have been thrilled to know that, but now, I have more mixed emotions (though still a lot of joy), as were it not for a few silly mistakes, I would have got  98%, and although I wouldn't have got the short way to the circle question as it's not covered in the textbook, I could have had the perpendicular bisector method all complete if I'd had just a little more time (which the teacher admitted would have been fair). Although 100% is still just a percentage!

Next week, I have another similar test, but with more time, as it's on two days rather than one. I will be aiming to get in the nineties again, I'm not especially trying for 100% because I was so fortunate to get what I got last week, and 100% is a near impossible target, and the chances of me reaching it are so small!

Struggle

I did so badly on the maths test I sat today. Seriously. I left one part blank, because I ran out of time totally. I had 50 minutes to do what was more like two hours' worth of questions, I'm not kidding! I'm not looking forward to receiving my mark, however, I know I'll be ok, because often my great successes are preceded by struggles. I'm kind of annoyed though, as I've spent the last 2 weeks revising, and delayed finishing the course to try and get a good mark on the test, and now it's not happening. Oh well, I managed full marks on my NAB, which I also sat this month, so I've had one good thing! I also have another test in two weeks, giving me a chance to redeem myself!

Maths challenges

I was so nervous to look at the UKMT website today, because I had a feeling they would post the SMC certificate thresholds... and they did. I'm pretty sure I've got... silver. Exactly as I thought. I was a whole 4 marks off a gold, so it's kind of annoying as one more correct question would have got me it, or if I hadn't got any wrong, as I made exactly four mistakes. But I know there's nothing I can do now, and a silver is more than most people get! I guess there's also next year, though that's so long away. I'll have to be sure to get a gold though!

Meanwhile, I'm participating in the Four Nations Maths Challenge right now. I was hoping to get 15,000 points on the curriculum yesterday, but then I forgot all about it until 7pm, so I only managed 7000. I'm doing the Live section right now, so I will post my score here when I finish.

Senior Maths Challenge

I didn't think the senior maths challenge went well at all. I tried the last 3 years' papers over the weekend, and got 85, 93 and 71, a wide range I know. The first 2 got me excited and I was hoping to get in the top 80s, securing a gold. However, I was so nervous beforehand and struggled to sleep, and I don't know if it was because of this, but I found it very hard. I answered about 14 in the first hour and a quarter, but I knew that wasn't enough to do well, so I had another look through, and took a total guess at some of them, but I found one that, though it looked impossible at first, actually had a nice little trick to it. I realised that when you have a number whose sum of digits is massive, the smallest number it can be is one which ends in as many 9s as possible. I managed to put down answers for 17 in total, and I wasn't sure if many were right at all. I saw the marking scheme today (it's already on the UKMT site), and I think I got 73 out of 125, which will be a silver if last year's boundaries hold true, though I won't know until the end of November!

Senior Maths challenge participation confirmed

I've known for ages that the Senior Maths Challenge would be held on November 6th (next Tuesday), but I didn't think I would be doing it, as it hadn't been mentioned to me, and I pretty much gave up yesterday. Then, just as luck would have it, towards the end of my double period of maths today, my teacher announced: "Did I mention there's a senior maths challenge?" She revealed that she had chosen twelve students from my class to take part, in addition to the advanced pupils. Anyway, the 12 she chose were those who get the best marks on the test we did before the summer holidays, back in June. As I got the highest mark on that test, I knew I'd be on the list, and sure enough she called my name. I was so excited that I couldn't concentrate on the integration revision I was doing, although there were nerves too, as I know it is very difficult, but I so want to do well. It doesn't matter, however, because if I don't get a certificate, then I am still very lucky to take part!