Preparing Children for Exams

Examination time can be a stressful period for both children and parents. Children have to prepare to the curriculum and deliver at exam time, and the parents have to ensure that they assist their children as far as possible in preparing for the exams. In fact, parents can play a major role in preparing their children to succeed in academic examinations. The role of parents in preparing their children for exams for different age group of children is highlighted below.

Ages 7 to 11

Children in the age group 7 to 11 are, basically, students of primary education. They are just learning the basics of every subject at this stage. The immediate goal of children in this age group is to clear the SAT exam with a good score, and to prepare for other competitive examinations. As a parent, your task is cut out to guide the children at such a tender age to come out of exams with flying colors.

Here are some useful tips that will help you in preparing your child for exams:

• Preparation is the best stress buster at exam-time. Make sure your child adheres to this golden rule, and is not left with any portion of the curriculum unprepared.
• The period running up to the exams is golden time. The key is to organize the timetable in such a way so as to cover all subjects thoroughly.
• Children at this stage are quite impressionable. Therefore, it’s much easier to inculcate positive thought patterns so that the children learn to de-stress themselves and not panic at exam time.
• If your child is having a difficult time concentrating on a particular subject, try out innovative techniques from everyday life to make the subject interesting.
• If your child is generally having a tough time concentrating on their studies, it’s better to give him/her a break. Preferably, you should persuade the child to indulge in the activities he/she likes the most. Eg. sports, TV, games etc. This should recharge the batteries and improve concentration levels of the child.
• Make sure your child has adequate physical exercise, a healthy diet and regular sleep during the period of the exams.
• It’s not just the exam period that is crucial. If you’ve inculcated in the child the habit to be organized and adhere to all the deadlines throughout the year, half the job of preparing the child for exams is already taken care of.
• Children must be made aware of the importance of planning for the future. If the child knows what’s expected of him during the exam time, it will save him/her from the surprise element of added pressure. In this regard, preparing a monthly schedule for the child, and encouraging him/her to adhere to it, could be a good way of bringing in discipline in to the child’s routine.
• Lastly, do not overburden your child with high expectations. Just let him/her be!

Ages 11 to 16

Here are some useful tips that will help you in preparing the pre-teen and adolescent children for their exams:

• Encourage and let your child know about the importance of GCSEs without putting your child under pressure is your primary role as a parent.
• Trust on hard work throughout the year rather than last minute revisions.
• The importance of organization and scheduling can never be overemphasized for any age group.
• Practice and revision throughout the year without leaving out any portion is the key to success and the children should be encouraged to clear any difficulties or doubts instead of omitting the tough portion altogether.
• It’s extremely vital to allow and encourage your children to rest adequately so that they are refreshed every time they study. They should also be encouraged to indulge in different activities, and not just concentrate on studies.
• Make the environment perfect for studies. Ask your family members not to disturb the child when he/she is studying, and avoid noise from any source, like TV, Music System etc.
• Make sure the child is sleeping well and adequately.
• Always praise them for hard work.
• Inculcate positive thoughts by telling the children not to brood over a bad performance in exams.
• Ask the child if he/she needs any help. This moral support is enough for the child to remain honest with his/her exam preparations.
• Promise a big family celebration after exams are over, and keep your promise!

You can do so much, but the final results of exams are entirely the efforts of the child. Always remind your kids of the golden rule of life: “Strive for the best, prepare for the worst!”