Maths is an important part of an apprenticeship programme, and apprentices cannot sit their End Point Assessment without prior achievement of Maths and English. However, Functional Skills Maths causes anxiety for many learners across the country. We regularly hear learners say, “I’m rubbish at Maths”, “I am never going to understand it” or “this has nothing to do with Early Years!”. Research has confirmed that maths anxiety is linked to poor maths performance, and negative experiences of Maths can impact your motivation or confidence to study.
You may not have studied Maths since school and might be anxious about learning Maths again, however we actually use Maths in our everyday lives without always knowing it. Maths plays a role in day-to-day problem-solving, reasoning and abstract thinking. It is also an important part of every job whether that be Early Years, Customer Service, or Retail. Maths is everywhere so don’t shy away from it!
Below we have listed some top tips if you are completing Functional Skills Maths alongside your apprenticeship.
Change your mindset! Make Maths your friend and try to talk more positively about it. You are capable!
Set time aside for Maths study each week. For each Functional Skill that you are completing, you will need to dedicate an additional hour of study time per week.
Complete online past papers to practice and prepare. Actively engage with past papers, try to solve them yourself before checking the answers, and identify areas where you might need more practice.
Make full use of the resources on OneFile, Laser Learning and BKSB!
Make sure you show your workings out and how you reached the answer.
Take breaks and stay focused. Taking breaks will help you stay refreshed and come back to your studies with renewed energy.
Get a good night’s sleep before your exam. A good night’s sleep will help you improve your memory, concentration, and overall performance on the exam.
Speak to your tutor if you are worried! There is nothing wrong with feeling anxious and sharing how your worries with your tutor. This will enable you to access support and guidance.
Gaining a Maths qualification is not just an important part of your apprenticeship, but it will also support you in progressing and reaching your longer-term career goals. If you need any further support with Functional Skills Maths or English, please do not hesitate to contact us.