Five ways to help your kids crush exams
Exam time can be daunting for everyone in the household, not just the participants. You want your kids to do the best they can, but sitting the exam is something they will have to do by themselves without your help. This may make you feel anxious, but there are some practical ways you can help your kids crush exams.
Online resources
It can be best to start with online resources as there is a lot of information and support that can be found here. The more your kids read up on a subject, the better informed they will be. They will already have study notes they have taken in class and books they can learn from, but reading around a subject and having a broader understanding of it can dramatically raise their exam grade. Practical help with the subject as well as exam tips and even relaxation techniques are great to read up on.
Past papers
A great way for your kids to get good at taking exams is to practice them beforehand. For example, you can find practice CAT4 tests online. Practising sample questions modelled after the real test can help your kids prepare well. Working through past papers will allow your kids to practice the exam format so they know how the exam is structured and what the marks for each part will be. If they know what to expect, they will be less daunted on exam day. If they stick to the allocated time for the exam, they can also practice time management, so they know how long to take answering each part. By doing this, they will not lose marks for not finishing the exam.
Tutoring
If your kids struggle with a particular topic, then hiring a tutor for this subject can be a fantastic way to help them. They will be able to go through the subjects your kids are struggling with on a one-on-one basis, giving your kids more time and attention to get to grips with them. Tutors are available in most subjects and can help your kids with practical advice for sitting the exam as well as offering intense learning in their subject.
Keep in touch with teachers
Having close contact with teachers is easy when the kids are in primary school, but this is an area that can sometimes get overlooked as your kids move into secondary school and get to the age where they are taking exams. It can almost seem a little intrusive to contact secondary school teachers, but they can offer you a wealth of advice to help your kids crush exams. For example, they will be able to highlight areas your kids are struggling with and suggest outside resources you can access to help your kids make the most of their education and ace their exams.
Study groups
Study groups are often set up in high schools to help the students at revision time. Ask the school for information about what they provide and obtain a study group schedule. These can help your kids as the tutor will be able to look at issues in the syllabus that are more likely to come up in the exam or more likely to prove a sticking point for your kids.
You could also encourage your kids to set up their own study groups and give them room in the house to do this. All they really need is a large table and some healthy snacks, and you could be surprised by how much they will achieve.
Exam time is stressful in any home, but with these tips, you will be able to help your kids crush exams.