One of the best ways to begin your preparations for your CAHSEE is to familiarize yourself with the exam itself and what areas it focuses on. The math section consists of six primary sections, also called content strands. These include the following:
-Algebra
-Algebra Functions
-Mathematical Reasoning
-Data Analysis, Probability, and Statistics
-Measurement and Geometry
-Number Sense
While these content strands may seem overwhelming at first glance, the easiest way to prepare for the exam is to focus on one strand at a time. The best way to create a study plan is to find a practice exam that closely mirrors the actual test you will be taking on exam day. Use your test results to determine which areas you are the strongest in and which areas you need the most practice with. Use these results to determine the order in which you should study each strand, with the weakest area being first and the strongest being last. This allows you to focus as much time as you need on the weaker areas until you reach the desired level of knowledge without having to worry about running out of time before the exam. If you do get crunched for time, the only strands you may need to rush through are the ones that you have the greatest strength in anyway, so a brief refresher may be all you really need in those areas.
Be sure to continue taking practice exams throughout your course of study to not only have a way to check your progress in a particular content strand, but also to ensure a consistently high rating in the areas you originally tested the strongest on. Regardless of which order you choose to study in, always make sure to focus on one area at a time before moving on. This is one of the most effective ways to learn and also helps avoid the confusion that can sometimes be caused when jumping back and forth between several different subjects or topics.
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