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"Showing your work" is usually required on written math tests. Writing out each step when solving a problem is also a way to help you understand each part of the process required. Writing out steps is a good habit to pick up and maintain. Also, when you're doing practice problems or taking notes, write out each step. You'll be glad you did when it comes time for applying steps on the test! Give problem sets careful attention, and do more for practice, if you need it. Even when you've found the solution to a math problem, you may not be finished. Take the solution and plug it back into the original problem to see if it's the correct answer. Word problems are applied math, where you're given a situation and have to find the right way to solve an associated problem. Since you have to both understand the situation and the necessary math concepts, this type of problem can be especially tricky. Read through the entire problem before you begin to solve it. Make sure you understand the situation and what math techniques you'll need to use. Some problems may have associated graphs, charts, or tables. Make sure to read those carefully, too. Select the numbers you'll need to use to solve the problem. Keep in mind that some word problems might have unneeded details designed to make you use your understanding of what you need to solve it. After you've solved the problem, make sure to check your work steps and see whether your answer makes sense in its size and is in the correct units, etc. Your teacher assigns a certain number of problems for homework, but if you don't feel like you fully understand, you might need to study more problems. Look for extra practice sets in your textbook or online, and try some of those until you feel more confident. Often times, the answers to all the odd-numbered problems are in the back of the book. Do the odd-numbered problem, check your answer, and, once you're confident you know how to do it, then do the even-numbered problem next to it. If you're anxious about taking an exam, do one or more practice ones ahead of time. Try to recreate the test environment--keep your study room quiet, and avoid interruptions. Check your work after taking the practice test, and study more if you need it. Ask your teacher if there are practice versions of tests you can use for study.
Write out complete solutions, even for practice and homework. Check your work once you're finished. Give word problems extra attention. Do your homework, then do more for practice. Try a practice test. Take advantage of extra help from a teacher or tutor, if you can.