Year 4 student Jade practised **addition techniques like rainbow facts and doubles**, and worked through school worksheets on identifying quarters.

For Year 9, Mia focused on **expanding and factorising algebraic expressions** as well as tackling worded algebra problems.

Meanwhile, Year 10 student Liam reviewed **trigonometric functions—particularly angles of elevation and depression—using worded problem scenarios** to prepare for his upcoming test.

Several high school students arrived without essential materials such as notebooks or homework, making it difficult to revise specific topics or track progress—one Year 10 student, for instance, "forgot her maths book, so we had to work off internet worksheets and our memories of what the test was going to cover."

In senior years, over-reliance on calculators appeared: a VCE student scored much lower on non-calculator sections ("marks were 22% (no calculator) and 45% (calculator/open book)"), highlighting a need for stronger mental arithmetic skills.

Across primary and middle years, perfectionism or fear of error often led to freezing up instead of attempting answers; as one tutor observed, "she will freeze up at a question until I prompt her to either tell me if she 'has no idea' or 'give me any answer, even if you think it's wrong.'" This hesitancy slowed practice and sometimes left gaps unaddressed in real time.

One Brunswick West tutor noticed that a Year 10 student who previously left tricky worded maths questions unfinished was able to complete one independently after just a few prompts, and then proactively asked for feedback on his creative writing, showing real openness to improvement.

A high schooler preparing for exams started bringing her own revision materials and, after working through trigonometry problems together, could solve similar ones entirely alone—something she hadn't managed before.

Meanwhile, a Year 3 student who relied heavily on finger counting now uses new addition strategies automatically and even graphed his improved worksheet times to show his mum.