Applying surface area formulas in exams can be tough because of a few reasons:

1. Tricky Formulas: It can be hard to remember all the different formulas for shapes like squares, rectangles, and triangles.

   • For example, to find the surface area of a rectangle, you use this formula: $A = l \times w$ (where l is the length and w is the width).

2. Calculation Mistakes: Sometimes, small math errors can cause you to get the wrong answer.

   • To avoid this, practice your calculations regularly. This will help you get better and be more accurate.

3. Understanding the Problems: Figuring out how to use the formulas correctly based on what the problem is asking can be tricky.

   • A good way to handle this is to break the problem into easier parts. Also, drawing a picture or diagram can really help you see what you need to do.