Columns / Asking for help
Test-study basics | Open this when you get stuck
Turn “I don’t understand”
into something you can ask about
Sometimes you cannot answer when someone asks, “Which part don’t you understand?”
What can you follow?
Where do you stop understanding?
Trace the question, your working, and the explanation to find that boundary.
Some examples here use maths.
In other subjects, too, try showing the word, sentence or step where you got stuck.
Asking is nothing to be ashamed of.
There is no shame in not knowing something.
And there is no shame in asking.
You do not understand it yet.
That is where learning can begin.
Check what you understand and where you are struggling.
That is an important skill for moving your learning forward.
A question is an action that helps you take the next step.
Before deciding “I can’t do this”, ask about the part you do not understand.
That is a first step towards understanding.
Find where “I don’t understand” begins
- The question: Check what the words mean and what you need to find.
- Your answer and working: Trace how far you could get on your own.
- The explanation: Go line by line and ask, “Why does this follow?”
✓ I understand
Up to here, I can explain why
↓
?
I got stuck
At the next word, line or step, I cannot explain why
Put a question mark at that first point.
That is the point you want to ask about.
Narrow down the sticking point
There is a word in the question I do not understand
START HERE
- Circle the word.
- Look for its meaning in the textbook index or the explanation of the topic.
If you cannot find it, or the explanation still does not help, point to the word and ask.
I do not know what the question wants me to answer
START HERE
- Underline the part that tells you what to find or answer.
- Show which word in that instruction is confusing.
If the whole question is unclear, say so.
I can read the question, but do not know how to begin
START HERE
- For maths, write down the numbers, units and conditions you can identify.
- Mark the number of the problem you could not start.
If you could not write anything, it is okay to show the blank space.
I do not understand one line in the explanation
START HERE
- Read the explanation line by line.
Mark the last line you can follow with “up to here”. - Put a question mark beside the next line.
If you are stuck from the first line, mark that one.
I understand with the explanation open, but cannot solve it with it closed
START HERE
- Close the explanation and try again, writing as far as you can.
- Put a question mark where you stop and keep your working visible.
My answer is wrong, but I cannot find the mistake
START HERE
- Keep your answer and working.
Do not erase them. - Compare them with the explanation and check for a missed condition or calculation error.
Mark anything you are unsure about.
If you cannot tell what happened, show both your method and the explanation.
Different-looking equations can sometimes be different correct methods.
Check what you can show and explain to your teacher
Look at the material and your own answer.
Find what you can follow and where you stopped.
Check the things you have found.
Even if the boundary is unclear, show what you tried and work it out together.
Use these checks while this page is open.
After asking, try one yourself
After the explanation, hide the answer and try the problem on your own.
If you still get stuck, show that point and ask again.
Check whether you can do it on another day, too.