WhizzNotes

Maths Preparation for Selective School Exam

Algebra, number, fractions, angles, measurement, maps and problem solving for Year 4 to 6 students preparing for the selective school test. Every chapter starts with what you need to know first, so you can learn it on your own, and every quiz climbs from Warm-up to Very hard.

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Every quiz climbs from Warm-up to Medium, Hard and Very hard.

Unit 1 Algebra

  1. 1Terms, Like Terms and NotationWhat a variable is, what a term is, how to spot like terms and how algebra is written.
  2. 2Adding and Subtracting TermsCollect like terms to make long expressions short, and leave unlike terms alone.
  3. 3Multiplying and Dividing TermsMultiply numbers and letters together, use index notation, and cancel when you divide.
  4. 4Grouping Symbols: Expanding BracketsMultiply everything inside the brackets by the term outside, then tidy up.
  5. 5Substitution: Finding the ValueSwap letters for numbers, work out the value, fill in tables and use made-up operations.
  6. 6Solving EquationsKeep the balance, undo each step and find the value of the unknown, including brackets and squares.
  7. 7Turning Words into AlgebraWrite expressions and equations from word problems about prices, ages, perimeters and shares, then solve them.

Unit 2 Number Skills

  1. 8Order of Operations (BODMAS)Brackets, then powers, then multiply and divide, then add and subtract, so everyone gets the same answer.
  2. 9Negative and Positive NumbersUse the number line to compare, add and subtract with numbers below zero, and find the difference between two numbers.
  3. 10Shortcuts for Adding a SeriesPair the first and last numbers to add long lists fast, and count how many numbers are in a list.
  4. 11Multiplying and Dividing by 10, 100 and 1000Use zeros to multiply and divide big numbers in your head, and estimate answers quickly.
  5. 12Working with DecimalsAdd, subtract, multiply and divide decimals, including tiny numbers like 0.001, and find missing numbers.
  6. 13Fractions, Decimals and PercentagesSwitch between fractions, decimals and percentages, and find a percentage of an amount in your head.
  7. 14Number Patterns and RulesFind the next term and the rule of a pattern, use square, cube and doubling patterns, and read Roman numerals.

Unit 3 Fractions

  1. 15Types of Fractions and Equivalent FractionsProper and improper fractions, mixed numbers, equivalent fractions and writing fractions in lowest terms.
  2. 16Adding and Subtracting FractionsUse a common denominator to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers, including borrowing a whole.
  3. 17Multiplying and Dividing FractionsMultiply tops and bottoms, cancel first to keep numbers small, and divide by flipping the second fraction.
  4. 18Fractions of a QuantityFind a fraction of an amount of money, time, mass or angle, and write one amount as a fraction of another.
  5. 19Fraction Word ProblemsSum, difference, product and quotient in words, "fraction of the remainder" problems and working backwards to the start.

Unit 4 Angles and Shapes

  1. 20Types of AnglesName acute, right, obtuse, straight, reflex and revolution angles, and use angles on a line and around a point.
  2. 21TrianglesName triangles by their sides and angles, use the 180 degree rule, isosceles triangles and the exterior angle.
  3. 22QuadrilateralsKnow the square, rectangle, rhombus, parallelogram, trapezium and kite, and use the 360 degree rule.
  4. 23Angles and Parallel LinesSpot corresponding, alternate, co-interior and vertically opposite angles, and decide if lines are parallel.
  5. 24Multi-Step Angle PuzzlesChain together the triangle, straight line, point, isosceles and parallel line rules to find a hidden angle.

Unit 5 Measurement

  1. 25Metric Units and ConversionsConvert length, mass, capacity, area and time, including fractions of units like three quarters of a tonne.
  2. 26Perimeter, Area and VolumePerimeter and area of rectangles and triangles, shaded fractions of a grid, and the volume of a box.
  3. 27Circles and CircumferenceRadius, diameter and circumference, estimating with "about 3 diameters", and exact working with pi as 22/7 or 3.14.
  4. 28Semicircles, Quadrants and Composite ShapesFind the perimeter of half circles, quarter circles and shapes built from circles, rectangles and triangles.
  5. 29Speed, Distance and TimeUse the speed triangle, work with minutes and fractions of an hour, and solve train and meeting problems.

Unit 6 Position and Maps

  1. 30Compass Directions and MapsUse the eight compass points, follow a route on a grid with a scale, and read distances on a map.
  2. 31Coordinates and the Number PlaneRead and plot points with x first and y second, name the four quadrants and find distances along grid lines.
  3. 32Latitude and LongitudeFind any place on Earth with degrees north or south of the equator and east or west of Greenwich.

Unit 7 Problem Solving

  1. 33Bar Models, Units and RatioDraw bars to compare amounts, share in a ratio, and solve "a fraction of one equals a fraction of another" problems.
  2. 34AveragesFind the mean, use the total to find a missing number, and see what happens when a number joins or leaves.
  3. 35Work and Rate ProblemsMore workers means less time. Use person-hours, rates per hour and filling and emptying to solve job problems.
  4. 36Heads and Legs, Guess and CheckSolve "two kinds of things" puzzles by guessing smartly or by pretending they are all one kind, plus sum and difference problems.
  5. 37Counting Squares, Rectangles, Routes and HandshakesCount without missing any or counting twice, using sizes, sums, routes on a grid and handshake patterns.
  6. 38Logic PuzzlesRace orders, digit clues, letter sums, remainders and working backwards, solved with a clear plan.

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