Exam preparation · lesson 11 of 24 · free

Interleaving (mixed practice) — Exam preparation tips

Doing 30 sums of the same type in a row is blocked practice: you know the method before you read the question. Interleaving mixes topics — a percentage sum, then area, then ratio, then fractions — so you must first decide which method each question needs, exactly as in an exam. It feels harder at first; that is normal and useful. Use blocks when a topic is brand new, then mix.

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Study tip

Mix it up — “in an exam questions come mixed — practise them mixed”

  1. Interleaving: mixed sets, old and new topics together, switching topic each question. Blocked: one type, page by page.
  2. Read each question for clues: “%” → percentage; “m by m” or tiles → area; “a : b” → ratio; 3/4 → fractions.
  3. Block when first learning; mix for revision and exam practice.

Use it for: Maths and science problem practice, grammar exercises, revision quizzes and past-paper style practice.

Worked example: 🔀 Mixed practice: which method does this question need? Find 20% of 150. → percentage

  1. The clue is “20%”.
  2. So it needs the percentage method.

Check: Try it: make a 6-question practice set that mixes three different topics, and solve it ✓

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✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

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🏁 Lesson 11 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

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🖨️ Study Skills Worksheet: Interleaving

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