The Inside Track on Exam Preparation

The Inside Track on Exam Preparation

It may seem too early to talk about teaching children of primary school age how to prepare for exams, but this is a skill they can hone, refine and use throughout their entire education (and even in their working lives) and it can definitely help them feel less overwhelmed. Claire Winter gets some advice from tutors on preparing primary school children for exams.

Make a Plan

Most exams include maths and English and some contain elements of verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Would worksheets from your child’s school, online resources or verbal or non-verbal reasoning practice papers be helpful? Create some time for them to prepare and allocate certaintimes in the week to go over different topics, build their confidence and address any problem areas they may have. Balance is important, so don’t overdo it and make sure your child continues with their hobbies and fun time.

Practice

Lucy Parsons, author of The Ten Step Guide to Acing Every Exam You Ever Take says, “My top tip for any exam is to do past papers and to get the child to mark their work themselves, using the mark scheme. This way they understand what the examiners are really looking for and can start to spot what's a good answer and where they will

need to improve.” Another tip is to get your child to set a timer while doing the exam, so they get used to working under time pressure. You can find out more at www.lifemoreeextraordinary.com.

Do Your Research

Selective independent schools set their own 11 plus exams, so find out from each school what the format will be so you can tailor your child’s preparation accordingly.

Talk About What You Have Learned

For information retention, it’s helpful for your child to verbally recap what they have learned. Paul Anderson from Tutor Doctor says, “Do not underestimate the value of verbal revision. Just half an hour articulating what they know to teachers, friends, and family is a fantastic opportunity for children to test themselves.”

Short Sharp Bursts

Primary school children may find it hard to sustain concentration for longer than 30 minutes without a break. Don’t schedule too many preparation sessions in one day – one or two would be the appropriate maximum for this age group on a weekend or school holiday day, but less if they are also managing homework. Otherwise your child will become stressed and it’s much harder for them to learn under pressure.

Stay Calm

Do your best to instil in your child the importance of staying calm and coping with any obstacles they face while sitting their exam. Teach them to leave challenging questions and come back to them once they have answered easier ones. Suggest that they look at the questions before they read a passage or text, so they know what to look for when they are reading the text.

Taking exams can be stressful for some children, so ensure they get enough sleep and eat well. It also helps if learning can be fun. You can play games, colour code their work and even produce short videos about topics they find hard to learn.

It’s vital to praise your child’s effort in preparing for their exam, regardless of the outcome. Children need to understand that all you expect is for them to try their hardest and that no one exam that they take in their life will ever be the key to success, failure or happiness.