Lessons from a 13-Year-Old’s Math Exam

Recently, I was checking my 13-year-old’s math paper, and as we went through it, the mistakes he made reflected more than just gaps in his learning—they echoed lessons that apply to everyday life, even in professional settings. Whether you're solving math problems or tackling a business project, some principles remain universally important.

Here are a few takeaways from our math review session:

1. Maintain Context

In my son’s math paper, part of his rough work was on the answer sheet, and another part was on the question paper. This caused confusion and led to mistakes in copying his work.

In professional life, keeping all related information in one place, or at least well-connected, helps avoid errors and ensures clarity.

2. Don’t Skip Steps

While expanding linear expressions, my son tried to do some of the calculations mentally, skipping a step. Unfortunately, this led to a mistake.

Similarly, in the professional world, cutting corners may seem efficient but often causes more harm than good. Following each necessary step, whether it's in data analysis, project management, or decision-making, is crucial to avoid costly errors down the line.

3. Read the Question Properly

One of the questions was answered incorrectly simply because he didn’t read it properly. This mistake is common not only in academics but also in professional environments.

We sometimes rush through tasks without fully understanding the problem at hand, leading to misaligned outcomes. Taking a moment to ensure you’ve thoroughly understood the task or issue can save time and frustration later.

4. Trust Your Instincts

He knew something was wrong with his answer, but since he couldn’t find the mistake, he opted for a “none of the above” answer.

In professional life, we often face situations where we know something is off, but we hesitate to trust our instincts. Whether in decision-making or problem-solving, trusting your gut can sometimes help you course-correct more quickly than relying solely on external cues.

5. Start Over When Needed

When my son got stuck, and was unable to find the error, I suggested him to start afresh next time he is such a situation. Sometimes, its difficult to find the errors in your own work due to several biases.

This applies to work as well—sometimes, when a project gets too tangled in errors or complications, it’s more efficient to start from scratch. Starting over isn’t failure; it’s a fresh approach that often leads to better results.

The Final Lesson: "I got 95%" vs "I lost 5%".

One thing I emphasized to my child was that if he had studied 75% of the syllabus, I didn’t care about mistakes in the remaining 25%—as long as he could get the 75% right. Within the 75% that he has prepared for, the focus should not be on how good he scored and how his peers performed . It should be on why did he lose even a single mark for something that he prepared for, analyzing his mistakes and fixing them for future.

In professional life, this resonates with the idea that it’s not about doing everything perfectly, but rather focusing on doing what you know well. The key is not the score but understanding where and why mistakes were made.