Exam Preparation Made Simple

Principais ideias

• You do not need to know the subject to help: ask your child to explain a page to you as if you had never seen it.
• Memory is a path through long grass; testing walks it and rereading only looks at it, so swap rereading for recall.
• Drop the common myths, because long hours, heavy highlighting, cramming and learning styles matter far less than short, regular sessions of testing yourself.
• Four habits do most of the work: test instead of rereading, little and often, real past questions, and a steady bedtime.
• Talk about plans rather than grades, keep exam mornings boring, and bring in a counsellor or doctor if worry lingers for weeks.

Dentro deste bit

1. You do not have to be the teacher

   Many parents freeze at exam time because they cannot remember algebra or never studied chemistry. Here is the relief: you are not the teacher.

2. Memory works like a path through grass

   One picture explains a great deal of what research says about studying. Imagine memory as a path across a field of long grass.

3. Five myths worth letting go

   Five beliefs cause a lot of needless exam worry. Myth one: more hours mean more learning.

4. The few habits that do most of the work

   If the whole subject feels too big, keep only four habits; they do most of the work. Test, do not reread: close the book and try to answer before checking.

5. Nerves, kind words and a boring morning

   Some nerves before an exam are normal. Think of an engine revving at the start line: a sign of getting ready, not of something wrong.

6. One small change to start this week

   You do not need a new system, a new desk or a colour-coded wall chart. Pick one small change and keep it for two weeks.