Why Most Students’ Math Notes Don’t Work
Let’s be honest — many IB students have notebooks full of equations they never look at again.
The problem isn’t laziness; it’s ineffective note-taking.
Writing down formulas without structure or explanation doesn’t help you understand or remember them later.
Good math notes should teach you back the topic when you revisit them — clear, organized, and purposeful.
That’s exactly what RevisionDojo Notes model for you.
They show how to organize concepts, highlight relationships, and make math visual and memorable.
Quick-Start Checklist
Before rewriting or updating your math notes:
- Open RevisionDojo Notes for your current topic.
- Review how the platform organizes subtopics and definitions.
- Use color, spacing, or bullet points to separate ideas logically.
- Include worked examples for every new formula.
- Revisit and summarize your notes weekly to strengthen recall.
Step 1: Start With Concept, Then Formula
Too many students start with the formula — but that’s like learning the answer before the question.
Instead, begin each topic with a one-sentence summary of what the concept means.
Example:
Concept: Differentiation measures how a function changes — it finds the rate of change.
Formula: dy/dx = limit as h → 0 of (f(x+h) – f(x)) / h.
RevisionDojo Notes follow this same principle — concept first, then application — so your brain builds understanding before memorization.
Step 2: Organize Topics With Headings and Subheadings
Good notes have structure.
Use headings like this:
- Main Concept: Trigonometric Identities
- Key Formulas: sin²x + cos²x = 1, tanx = sinx/cosx
- Graph Insights: Sine and cosine are phase-shifted by π/2.
- Common Mistake: Forgetting degree vs. radian mode.
RevisionDojo Notes automatically use this layout — simple, clean, and easy to scan. You can mirror this structure in your own study notebook.
Step 3: Include One Example Per Formula
A formula without a real example is just abstract memory.
After every formula, add a short worked example showing how to use it.
For instance:
Formula: The quadratic formula x = (–b ± √(b² – 4ac)) / 2a.
Example: Solve 2x² + 3x – 2 = 0 → x = (–3 ± √(9 + 16)) / 4 → x = 0.85 or –2.35.
RevisionDojo’s Notes do this automatically — pairing every key equation with at least one practice problem and solution for clarity.
Step 4: Use Color and Symbols Wisely
Visual memory helps recall.
Use color-coded systems for your notes:
- Blue for formulas.
- Green for definitions.
- Red for warnings or common mistakes.
- Black for worked examples.
RevisionDojo Notes already highlight definitions and key ideas visually — but copying this format manually strengthens learning even further.
Step 5: Summarize Every Page in One Line
At the bottom of each page or digital section, write a one-line summary that captures the main idea.
Examples:
- “Differentiation helps find instantaneous rates of change.”
- “The normal distribution is symmetric around its mean.”
- “Integration is the reverse process of differentiation.”
When you reread later, these summaries make revision faster and more focused.
Step 6: Add Real-World Context
Mathematics becomes much easier to remember when you connect it to reality.
After every major concept, jot down one real-life application:
- Exponential functions → population growth.
- Trigonometry → sound waves and engineering.
- Probability → genetics and predictions.
RevisionDojo Notes include these real-world links, helping you remember why each concept matters.
Step 7: Use Diagrams and Graphs Generously
IB Math examiners expect you to interpret graphs confidently — so practice including them in your notes.
Sketch:
- Parabolas for quadratic functions.
- Tangents for derivatives.
- Normal curves for statistics.
RevisionDojo’s Notes display these visually; redrawing them by hand improves comprehension and memory retention.
Step 8: Review and Condense Weekly
Don’t just write notes once — revisit and condense them.
Every week:
- Skim through your notes.
- Highlight any confusing areas.
- Rewrite your key points into shorter summaries.
RevisionDojo’s platform tracks your progress and suggests which topics need review based on Questionbank accuracy — perfect for targeted note updates.
Step 9: Link Notes to Other Revision Tools
Make your notes part of a bigger learning system:
- Use Flashcards for key terms from your notes.
- Apply formulas in the Questionbank.
- Revisit Lessons to reinforce difficult sections.
This ecosystem keeps your notes alive — not static. Every part supports another.
Step 10: Keep Notes Exam-Focused
While depth is good, remember the goal: clarity under pressure.
Ask yourself:
- Would I understand this page two months from now?
- Can I use this to solve a question fast?
- Is the wording precise and IB-appropriate?
If yes, you’ve written notes that will truly help during exam season.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I handwrite or type my math notes?
Handwriting improves retention, but typing allows easier editing. Many students combine both — taking digital Notes on RevisionDojo and rewriting tricky sections by hand.
2. How detailed should IB Math notes be?
Focus on clarity over volume. A single concise page that makes sense is worth more than five pages of copied formulas.
3. When should I start making proper notes?
Start from day one. Updating weekly ensures you’re always revision-ready and never need to “relearn” topics before exams.
Final Thoughts
Effective math notes don’t just store information — they teach you back what you’ve learned.
By following RevisionDojo’s Notes structure, using visuals, and summarizing with intent, you’ll create notes that are useful long-term and exam-efficient.
When your notes make sense, your math does too.
Call to Action
Start improving your math notes today.
Use RevisionDojo Notes as your model to organize, simplify, and truly understand every IB Math topic you study.
