Taking an exam at any age can be a daunting prospect, even when you’ve gone through the process many times before. But it can be stressful and confusing when it’s your first formal exam you’re sitting. Luckily there are ways to help prepare your child for their exams and give them the best opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Whether it’s their SATs or the 11+ exam that will be their first formal exam, these ten steps can help get your child in the right frame of mind.
- Spend some time learning about the exam – If you understand how the exam works, you’ll be able to offer more support to your child. That means checking how long it will, equipment they need, the topics covered, and using a resource to get to grips with the marking system.
- Schedule study times – Setting out a plan for studying can boost confidence and ensure that both you and your child are sure they’re prepared as they’re going to be. You don’t have to plan large study session, bite size chunks where you focus on a single area can be just as effective.
- Create a quiet space – As important as studying is creating a space where they can really focus. Designating a quiet space that’s away from distractions, such as the TV and toys, will instantly improve concentration levels and help them get their studying done quicker.
- Answer their questions – Be prepared to answer questions that your child might have about their revision topics. A quick glance over the subjects beforehand can help jog your memory. If you don’t know the answer, take the time to discover it together.
- Practice under exam conditions – One of the most challenging aspects of sitting an exam is simply getting used to the conditions. Practice makes perfect and we’ve got plenty of practice papers for your child to work through.
- Plan treats – A bit of motivation can work wonders. Suggesting a few treats when they’ve completed their studying, gives your child something to look forward too.
- Reassure and calm them – Just ahead of the exam, take the time to reassure and calm you child if they’re feeling anxious about the paper. It helps to understand not everything depends on the exam and will help them perform better too.