Why Students Struggle in Class 9 Maths & How to Improve

Class 9 is a very big transition in a pupil's school career. The maths gets more difficult, the chapters get longer, and many pupils begin to feel lost. If you are one of them, don't worry. You are not alone. The same issue is common to most students as they transition from Class 8 to Class 9. 

In this blog, we will discuss the reasons why students are facing difficulties in Class 9 Maths and will provide some easy maths practice tips for you to score better.

Why Class 9 Maths Feels Difficult

The primary problem students have is that they are learning new topics in Class 9. Some concepts, such as polynomials, coordinate geometry and surface area, are not covered in Class 8. When the students open their CBSE Class 9 Maths book for the first time, many concepts seem new and confusing. 

Another one is that students miss the fundamentals. If you have not understood the concepts of Class 8 well, then the concepts of Class 9 Maths will be even more difficult. Class 9 topics are based on the knowledge acquired in the previous classes. The next concept can be challenging if the previous one is missed. 

Also, many students just read the theory. They don't solve enough problems. Maths is not a subject that can be learned from reading. Questions must be solved daily.

Topics That Students Find Most Difficult

Below are some of the chapters from the class 9 maths book which students find difficult:

In case you find it difficult to solve any of these, the first thing you need to do is to revisit your NCERT exemplar class 9 maths book and solve the solved examples first. Next, proceed to the exercises.

Best Books and Resources for Class 9 Maths

It does make a difference what kind of book you select. These are the books which each Class 9 student should use:

NCERT CBSE class 9 maths book is the most important book. This book contains all the questions in the board exams. For each example, read and solve each exercise.
NCERT Exemplar Class 9 Maths is the next book you should use. The harder questions in the Class 9 Maths NCERT exemplar test your understanding of the concepts in a deeper manner. It's excellent for students who wish to get above 90.
Class 9 Question Bank books are also helpful. A good class 9 question bank provides you with chapter-wise questions, previous year questions and multiple choice questions. This enables you to practice various kinds of problems and prepare for exams.

Maths Practice Tips That Actually Work

Here are some simple tips for maths practice which can help any student to improve in class 9:

1. Practise every day, even for 30 minutes. It is better to practice for 1 hour a day than to study for 3 hours only on the weekends. Maths should be given regular attention.

2. Solve NCERT first, then move to exemplar. Always finish class 9 maths book exercises before harder books.

3. Write down formulas. Carry around a small formula booklet and identities. Review this notebook every week.

4. Do not skip steps. Record all steps in solving a problem. This makes it easy to spot errors and also provides you with a full mark for exams.

5. Use a class 9 question bank. Answering various types of questions from the question bank will help you be prepared for the surprises in the exam.

6. Revisit weak topics. If you answered a question incorrectly, do not advance. Review, grasp the concept and practice more of the same.

A Simple Weekly Study Plan for Class 9 Maths

There's no need for a complex plan. It is best to have a simple and consistent routine. This is a sample weekly plan:

If you follow this for just 4-6 weeks, you will see a definite improvement in your confidence and marks.

Final Thoughts

Class 9 Maths is not a dream. All it takes is the right approach. Follow the instructions of your CBSE Class 9 Maths book, practice NCERT Exemplar Class 9 Maths, and maintain regularity. The maths practice tips that are shared in this blog are simple yet very effective. 

Start with one chapter at a time. Do not rush. And most important of all – ALL pupils who work regularly achieve well in Maths. You can too.

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