Tests are a part of life — we do a test to get a driver’s licence and many jobs require certificates or other qualifications people sit tests for. In school, tests can help teachers better understand areas that require more attention. They can also show areas where students have talents that can be nurtured.
Test and exam preparation
The best thing you can do to help your child through exam periods is to support them in getting organised in the months and weeks leading up to it. Prepare for exam time by encouraging:
a healthy diet
drinking lots of water
limiting caffeine
getting enough sleep
daily exercise and relaxation time
following a regular study timetable that covers all topics and/or subjects
positivity about exam performance
organisation of equipment needed, for example, several black pens, spare batteries for the calculator and so on – don’t leave this until the night before
familiarisation with the format of each exam.
Some students can have a meltdown on the day of a test or exam. Prepared students who know what to expect in the exam are less likely to be as stressed as those who cram the night before. To prepare, students should:
make summaries of the topics being assessed
learn the meanings of keywords used in exam questions
practise the types of questions that will be in the test or exam
complete sample tests under examination conditions.
Need more help?
Visit Homework and study for more information on helping your child improve their study habits.
If your child experiences stress around test or exam time, speak to your school counselling service.
You may find SchoolTV a helpful resource for coping with exam jitters.