When examinations and assessments are about to take place, many parents will no doubt be asking how they can best support their children. A key question that may arise could be ‘Is my child ready and how should they prepare for examinations? Crucially, top schools and exceptional teachers prepare every student so they can meet or surpass their expectations.
Boarding schools like MIS have a distinct advantage in preparing for examinations as their students are ‘on site’ and have access to resources and the support from a wide number of teachers. Fortunately, at MIS, students have a daily two hour ‘learning’ session (6:45pm -8:45pm) in which exam skills be honed and whereby they can ask relevant staff for support and guidance. This targeted exam ‘investment of time,’ will invariably contribute towards examination success.
With many years teaching experience, I shall outline some key ideas about ‘preparation’ that are relevant to students, whatever their age and I shall conclude with thoughts about how parents can best support their ‘child.’
“Fail to prepare and prepare to fail,” is a well known statement and there is much truth in this. Success in examinations largely depends on ‘getting the preparation right.’
1. Developing the examination mindset.
In terms of mindset, a student has to ‘attack’ examinations; they have to develop a positive thinking approach which is centered around ‘knowing what the exam’ is and what type of answers are required to obtain the best possible scores. They have to develop a frame of mind which ‘cannot wait for revision to take place as opposed to fearing the revision process.’ Attack, attack and attack!
Teachers will be frequently telling their students to be organized.
It is vital that each student has the correct resources for each subject and by this I mean resources and notes that are directly related to the examination.
Revision should be targeted; ‘smart revision’ wins when it is geared towards the examination topics. Therefore, if revising from home, (outside the supervision of the school), ‘exam focused resources’ should be prepared in advance. If students are revising for GCCE or A Levels, then such resources should include past exam questions, past assessment papers and mark schemes.
If revising at home, students should make an examination revision timetable. Revision blocks should be around 30 minutes or 45 minutes at a time (depending on age) and this has to be strictly followed. If you are revising for 9 or 10 subjects, do not revise all your best subjects first. Within a revision timetable, revise your best subject on the same day as your worst subject and your second best with your second worst – this will help drive you through each day. After each short block, have a rest or have fresh air. I advise students not to have their phone near them when they are revising. Work is work and play is play and never confuse the two!
Depending on the age of the student, we need to be aware of how many hours a student should revise for and their teachers will be best placed to give this information. An examination revision timetable can be given based on this criteria.
As children get older, the best advice from successful schools is to ensure that the parents ‘support’ their child. It is vital that schools and teachers fulfil ‘the educational part,’ and that each stakeholder understands their differing but important role. Teachers are there to guide each individual student and to help them tackle each examination subject. Exams can be difficult times for students – if boarding, they will require an encouraging voice from parents and positive messages.
If at home, nothing is more important than good food! In addition, meal times, where convenient should be built around the revision schedule. Moreover, if a subject revision session has finished, then the child must have time to relax. Perhaps, build in a five minute talk about how the day has gone into the revision timetable; not to question but to listen as attentive and encouraging parents. As the actual real examinations draw near, students should build in a short ‘catch up session,’ into their daily timetable just in case some item of revision did not go according to plan.
Revision timetables are key; students must learn to be strict with following their timetables and for ensuring that the correct subject material is being evaluated. Smart, focused revision is essential. In many ways ‘excellent revision is simply doing the exam before the exam!’ Be ready and attack the exams!
Ready Ay Ready!
