The 2-Hour Myth: Why Weekly Tuition Alone Won't Master Math

Math is a subject built on a foundation of interrelated concepts. Each lesson or topic forms a stepping stone to the next, and the understanding of one concept often depends on a solid grasp of previous ones. For example, mastering algebra requires a strong understanding of basic arithmetic, while geometry builds on algebraic principles. For Singapore students, this cumulative nature is especially evident in the progression from O-Level E-Math to Additional Math, and then to A-Level H2 Math.

Two hours of tuition per week may provide an overview or initial exposure to a topic, but it rarely gives enough time to fully internalize the material. Concepts introduced in one lesson can easily fade from memory without consistent review and practice. When students only rely on those two hours each week, they often miss the opportunity to revisit challenging topics or deepen their understanding in the gaps that inevitably form between lessons.

The Reality for Singapore Students:

A typical H2 Math syllabus covers 13+ chapters spanning Pure Mathematics (Functions, Calculus, Vectors) and Statistics (Probability, Distributions, Sampling). With only 2 hours of weekly tuition, that's approximately 9 minutes per chapter per week - barely enough to scratch the surface. Meanwhile, the A-Level H2 Math paper expects deep conceptual understanding and application skills that can only develop through extensive practice.

To truly master these concepts, students need to reinforce what they learn in tuition through daily practice at home. Our online learning portal provides the resources Singapore students need to bridge this gap with lesson videos and practice questions accessible 24/7.

Math is a subject that demands regular application of skills to become proficient. Just as a musician must practice their instrument daily to improve, or an athlete must train consistently to perform well, math students must engage in daily practice to build fluency. In fact, the more a student practices, the more they reinforce the connections between abstract concepts and real-world applications.

For instance, understanding the basic principles of algebra or calculus involves solving numerous problems that require different approaches, strategies, and critical thinking. These skills are honed through continuous practice, not merely by reviewing concepts during a brief weekly tuition session. The ability to approach problems with confidence and agility comes from regularly engaging with the material, breaking down complex problems, and actively testing one's understanding through exercises.

Evidence-Based Practice Recommendations:

Research in cognitive science shows that distributed practice (spacing practice over time) is significantly more effective than massed practice (cramming). For Singapore Math students preparing for O-Levels or A-Levels:

• Daily practice of 30-60 minutes is more effective than one 3-hour weekend session
• Solving 5-10 varied problems daily builds pattern recognition better than 50 problems once a week
• Review and revision within 24 hours of learning new concepts improves retention by up to 80%

Without consistent practice, students may struggle to apply the knowledge they've gained during the tuition sessions when faced with more complex or unfamiliar problems in Singapore's rigorous SEAB examinations. This is why students who complement their Math tuition with daily self-study consistently outperform those who only attend weekly sessions.

While tuition can provide valuable guidance, students must take responsibility for their own learning outside of the classroom. Self-directed learning - such as reviewing class notes, solving practice problems, and seeking help when needed - is essential for building long-term math fluency. The best math students in Singapore don't rely solely on tuition sessions; they spend considerable time studying independently, reinforcing what they've learned, and tackling challenging problems on their own. This consistent, proactive effort is key to mastering math concepts and excelling in exams.

Supporting Self-Directed Learning at Tim Gan Math:

To support students in this self-directed approach, we offer an online learning portal that allows them to review and reinforce lessons at their own pace. Our portal includes:

• Lesson videos covering all H2 Math and Additional Math topics
• Question bank with 2,000+ questions organized by topic and difficulty
• Video explanations for every question - scan QR codes for instant step-by-step solutions
• Progress tracking to identify weak areas and monitor improvement

We understand the frustration of getting stuck on a problem at 11 PM when tuition class is days away. These resources are designed to give students the tools they need to overcome obstacles and keep progressing independently.

Building Self-Directed Learning Habits:

While completing assignments and homework is important, it's not enough to rely solely on classwork to truly master math. Without consistent, additional practice, students may end up memorizing procedures rather than understanding the underlying principles. By dedicating time to work through problems independently, students can:

• Explore different problem-solving strategies beyond what's taught in class
• Identify areas of weakness before they become major gaps
• Improve problem-solving speed and accuracy through repetition
• Build confidence in their ability to tackle unfamiliar questions

With regular practice, they can build deeper understanding and gain the confidence needed to excel in their math studies. For more guidance on developing independence, read our article on how to take full ownership in learning.

In math, forgetting is an inherent challenge. It's easy to forget a concept if it isn't reinforced regularly, and this can lead to frustration when students are faced with more complex problems that require those very concepts. This is why consistent review and reinforcement are so important. A student who practices math daily is much more likely to retain the information and develop a deeper understanding than one who only engages with the subject for two hours a week.

The Forgetting Curve in Math:

Research by Hermann Ebbinghaus demonstrates that without review:

• 20 minutes after learning: We remember 100% of new information
• 1 day after learning: We remember only 50% if not reviewed
• 1 week after learning: We remember only 25% if not reviewed
• 1 month after learning: We remember only 10% if not reviewed

For Singapore students learning complex topics like differentiation, integration, or vectors in H2 Math, this means that without daily review, most of what's taught in Tuesday's tuition class will be forgotten by the weekend.

Effective Review Strategies:

By revisiting past topics, reviewing problem sets, and ensuring that foundational skills are strong, students can prevent knowledge from slipping through the cracks. Short, consistent review sessions are far more effective than cramming for exams, and they ensure that math concepts remain fresh and accessible when needed.

Our students use the spaced repetition system built into our online platform to automatically schedule reviews at optimal intervals. This ensures that topics learned weeks or months ago remain fresh, building a cumulative understanding that's essential for acing Singapore's comprehensive A-Level H2 Math examinations.

If you're struggling to remember what you learned in previous tuition sessions, it's not a sign of poor intelligence - it's simply evidence that you need more frequent reinforcement. Consider supplementing your weekly tuition with our online courses for structured daily practice.

To truly master math, students should aim for more than just the bare minimum of two hours of tuition per week. The key is to integrate math practice into daily routines. Here are practical strategies that Singapore students can implement:

1. Daily Practice (30-60 minutes):

Set aside time each day to solve problems, whether it's for 30 minutes or an hour. This will help reinforce what was learned in class and ensure that students remain engaged with the material regularly. Even on busy days, completing 5-10 practice questions maintains momentum.

2. Target Weak Areas:

Identify areas where understanding is weak and focus on reinforcing those concepts through additional exercises. Whether it's basic arithmetic or more advanced topics like calculus, identifying and addressing gaps early can prevent bigger problems later on. Use diagnostic quizzes or past exam papers to pinpoint exactly which chapters need attention.

3. Break Learning into Smaller Chunks:

Instead of overwhelming yourself with hours of study at once, break learning into smaller, more manageable chunks. Spend a few minutes on specific concepts each day, reinforcing them incrementally. The Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of focused study + 5-minute break) works exceptionally well for math practice.

4. Utilize Online Resources:

Supplement weekly tuition with online platforms, apps, or videos that can offer further explanations, problem sets, and tutorials. These resources allow students to learn at their own pace and provide additional practice material. Our H2 Math online course provides structured learning paths with video lessons, practice questions, and progress tracking - perfect for supplementing weekly tuition.

5. Collaborative Learning:

Engage in study groups or peer discussions where students can explain concepts to one another, ask questions, and share strategies. Teaching others or discussing math with peers reinforces understanding and builds confidence. Many of our students form WhatsApp study groups to support each other between tuition sessions.

6. Set Clear Goals:

Establish specific, measurable goals for each study session to ensure that you are actively progressing in your learning. Whether it's mastering a particular topic or completing a set number of problems, having clear goals keeps students motivated. For example:

• Weekly goal: Complete 1 past year paper under timed conditions
• Daily goal: Master 1 new concept and review 2 previous concepts
• Monthly goal: Improve diagnostic test score by 10%

If you're unsure how to structure your self-study routine, consider reading our article on why cramming fails to understand the science behind effective study schedules.