How to Get Good at Maths – It's Simpler Than You Think!

When it comes to O/Ls in Sri Lanka, you typically face around 9 subjects. Out of all of them, Maths stands out as the “odd one”. Sure, you’ll encounter a few calculations in Science (especially Physics and Chemistry), but nothing compares to the sheer amount of problem-solving required in Maths.

Here’s the truth most students don’t realize:

You can’t learn Maths the same way you learn other subjects.



🧠 The Common Mistake

Most students try to approach Maths the same way they study History, Sinhala, or Business Studies — by listening to the teacher, reading the textbook, and memorizing key points. This method might help you understand the theory, but understanding the theory is just the first step.

Knowing how something works doesn’t mean you can apply it. And in Maths, it's all about application.

✍️ The Only Way to Get Better at Maths

If you really want to get good at Maths and score well, there's one simple habit you need to develop:

Start solving problems — by yourself.

Let’s say you’ve just learned logarithms.

Great! You understand how to:

Use the log table

Convert between logarithmic and index form

Find antilogs

You learned all this by reading the book and watching your tutor explain it. At that moment, it probably felt easy — “Ah, I get it!”

But here’s the catch:

When your tutor is solving, they’re doing the thinking. You’re just watching.

That’s why things feel easy until you sit down to solve a problem yourself — and then suddenly, it’s not so simple.

🧗‍♂️ The Real Growth Starts When You Struggle

The first time you try solving a problem on your own, you might get it wrong.
The second time too.
Maybe even the third.

But that’s okay.

Every time you try, you learn. And every time you get stuck and figure something out — or ask a tutor, or check an example — your brain builds the skill a little more.

That's how I went from consistently getting 33 marks in Maths to scoring an A in my O/Ls.

🔁 The Formula for Success in Maths:

1. Understand the theory – read, watch, and listen


2. Solve problems yourself – not just once, but over and over


3. Fail and fix – get it wrong, check where, try again


4. Repeat until solving becomes second nature


✨ Final Thoughts

Maths isn't about memorizing. It’s about doing.
It’s not about talent. It’s about practice.

So if you’re struggling with Maths right now, know this:
You’re just one good habit away from improving.

📌 Start solving. Don’t stop. You’ll get there.