Revising for exams can be a stressful time for both younger and older children. Also for parents anxious that their children will do well. It is important therefore to prepare early.
Exam revision should be started well before the exam. This will make it easier for your child to absorb the information. Recall and comprehension of the study material is increased and the process is less stressful.
Obtaining past test papers
The key to passing a test is having a good idea of the test questions that will be asked in the exam. There are two main ways of obtaining this information. First talk to the teacher and ask him or her how the questions will be structured. Some questions could involve multiple choice, others may require written answers. Also ask what key areas will be emphasized in the test.
Another great way of preparing your child for an exam is to obtain past test papers. There are a number of good reasons for doing this.
1. They will enable your child to see how the questions are structured and how the answers are marked. Also what areas to focus on when revising for the exam.
2. If the test papers involve written questions rather then multiple choice some answers will carry more marks then others. The more marks that are rewarded for each question usually the more points that have to be given for that answer. It is important your child dedicates the right amount of time and written material to each answer. Past test papers enable your child to see how to answer a question and not just what answer to give.
3. Obtaining past exam papers will enable you to test your child against the clock. It is vital your child manages his or her time effectively during the exam. Getting every question correct but partially completing a test paper can still result in a fail. Using past test papers enable you to carry out practice timed assessments to establish how they should manage their time during the exam and how much time they should dedicate to each question.
Mind maps and revision
Revision involves 3 fundamental steps. Firstly planning and managing your time effectively. A timetable can be useful for this. Secondly focusing on what matters. Past test papers will have made it easier to concentrate on key areas most likely to be asked during the exam. Thirdly writing notes efficiently that can also be reviewed quickly before an exam.
If correct note taking rules are utilized note taking can be an efficient way of visualizing and reviewing information which is crucial for recall and comprehension.
Notes can either hinder or help revision. Avoid linear notes that are monotonous, boring and time consuming and instead use colourful mind maps which use colour, drawing and brief sentences.
Mind maps involve images, words and symbols to represent key concepts and information in a visual form. The main topic is located at the centre with subtopics arranged around that central image. Related information is connected using branches.
Mind Maps are very effective note taking techniques due to the way that mind maps arrange and present information. Images and drawings are much easier to remember and the branches on the mind map help the mind to organize and associate related information which is crucial for recall. Also the most important information is easier to find and scan quickly making it easier to review information quickly before an exam.
When creating a mind map it is best if they start off creating a mind map of knowledge they have already gained from books, school, the media and elsewhere. Building upon pre-existing knowledge is a great way of improving recall.
Memory works best using images, order and association which is why mind maps are such a powerful tool.
Gradually their mind map will become more detailed and complex. Colour, images and keywords should be used to represent key ideas.
Reviewing the mind map every few days and trying to recall as much as possible from memory is an essential element of revision. This is because constantly recalling information is important to preserve and re-enforce knowledge in long term memory.
Reviewing a Mind map.
Mind maps are great for reviewing information as they are quick to scan and the most important information stands out. Also trying to recall as much as possible for each key area using the mind maps helps to review gaps in their knowledge which can be revisited before the exam
A day before the exam they should get plenty of sleep and make sure they understand the requirements for the test such as what can be brought into the exam room. Drink plenty of water as dehydration can cause tiredness and diminish concentration.
If they have prepared well, have studied the relevant material and have created mind maps to absorb the information and aid efficient exam revision this should greatly increase the chances of passing the exam.
Obtain previous exam papers to help prepare for a test. We provide SAT exam papers for test preparation and test preparation advice
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