- Get organised
The first step is preparation. Get started as early as possible to give your child enough time to cover the content for their Entrance Exams.
By creating timetables, setting targets and deadlines, your child will find it much easier to keep up with the work to be covered, and to balance this with their own free time.
Staying organised also prevents stress and makes it easier to focus on particular areas and make time for weaker subjects or gaps in knowledge.
- Application Process
If you and your child are happy that the 11+ is definitely a route to pursue, makes sure that you become familiar with the application process for your chosen school and Local Authority.
Make a note of when to fill out the paperwork, open days for your preferred schools and exam days.
It is worth noting that dates vary from region to region and school to school, so if you are unsure about any deadlines, make sure to ask the school directly about their admissions procedures or look on their website for more details.
- Practice Times Tables
The secret of good maths skills is knowing the times tables. A pupil who know their times tables thoroughly will be able to confidently work through maths problems and their mental maths skills will be greatly benefitted too.
This immediately puts students ahead as they are able to work at a speedier pace in their exam.
Tip: Go over the times tables whenever you have some free times with your child and print off a times tables grid so they can practice often.
- Improve Vocabulary
Actively encourage your child to widen their vocabulary and use words they are not confident with, by:
- Reading daily, anything from fictional books to newsletters
- Some television and radio
- Talking with adults during times such as mealtimes
- Using a thesaurus to find new words
Pupils who do well at the 11 plus exam know somewhere within the region of 1000-2000 more words than a less successful candidate.
- Make Lots of Time for FUN!
As the entrance exams can cause stress and pressure for both parents and pupils, it is important to keep life as normal as possible, especially as the exam date comes closer!
It is easy to let the pressures of the 11+ Exams to consume the household, but it is important to continue having fun and making free time to relax and reduce stress levels. This will create a normality at home, allowing pupil to feel less pressured and confident when entering the exam.
- Manage Exam Day Stress
Exam day will be unnatural for pupils as stress levels and nerves will be high. Don't stress if the pupils reacts adversely to the exam as it is not natural for them to be calm when under pressure at that age. This could cause them to underperform as a result of the intensity of the stress.
You can help lower the child's stress levels by being reassuring, supportive and providing the best help and preparation you can to help them feel confident walking into their entrance exam.
Tips:
- Don't cram practice in the night before the exam - this is unproductive!
- Eat a good breakfast or lunch - depending on the time of the exam
- Get a good night sleep (be alert and prepared)
- Supporting Your Child Through The Use Of Private Tuition
Knowing how best to support your child through the 11+ process might seem a little daunting, especially as it may be completely unfamiliar territory for most parents.
Extra tuition is a great way of having an expert guide you through the process from start to finish. Your child's 11+ tutor will be able to support your child develop skills in areas they may to have been exposed to in school, help them with their time management and problem-solving skills and set homework to consolidate their learning.
Having a tutor is a great way to boost confidence and practice all the necessary skills needed to prepare for the test. They can also help to organise practice papers, mock tests and revision sessions once your child is ready for each of those stages.
! Remember that the exam isn't about cramming lots of work in for your child to do, it's about helping them achieve to the best of their ability and guiding them to achieve a bright future !
*If you have any questions about tuition options with Capital Tuition Group, or just need a bit of advice, send us an email to hello@capitaltuitiongroup.com !
Capital Tuition Group: Qualified Teachers. Quality Grades. KS1 to A-Level.
