Assessment Advice
Helpful planners and checklists for studying this year
Families can make a difference both to the result and to the morale of the exam candidate. Some of the following suggestions may help you to help them.
Making Time
Reduce paid work hours
Limit social activities
Limit hobbies/sports to a reasonable level
Reduce household chores
Avoid rapid family changes of plan. The student needs to predict the time available in order to take control.
Time Management
Use a year planner for key dates
Make a weekly work/study plan with the student.
Help the student to break big subjects into topic-sized chunks
Allocate 2 or 3 x 50 minute work/study spells on school nights and on one day of a weekend. (This is a rough estimate. Even 20 minute spells can be a start. It depends on the student’s work habit and concentration span.)
Offer Help
Check notes
Ask questions
Explain/read difficult parts of texts.
Positive Interest
Focus on the effort rather than the result
Encourage confidence. (Some students find it helpful to see themselves as an “expert” prepared to reveal what they know to an interested examiner.)
Enlist the help of the wider family or friends. (The people who ask about the results could be encouraged to phone in during the preparation and encourage the effort. This is a great opportunity for the interested aunt, uncle or grandparent.)
Health and Happiness
Good food at regular times
Some sport or exercise
Regular sleep
Love and support