Last Minute Revision Tips for the 11+ Entrance Exams

11+ exams are fast approaching, and the Christmas holiday provides a perfect opportunity to do some last-minute revision and preparation.

In the last few weeks, it is important to focus your attentions on the elements of the exam that are most important. Focusing on a few key aspects of each subject area will allow students to maximize their revision time while also allowing them to relax and enjoy the time at home.

Below you will find some tips on how to revise most effectively in the last few weeks before the exam.

English
1. Focus on comprehension technique. While verbal reasoning is a part of many exams, it is less important than comprehension skills. Furthermore, many schools complete verbal reasoning practice during class time. As such, use your own revision time to address comprehension practice. For instance, now is the optimal time to start working through sample papers or past papers in order to become familiar with the types of questions asked and how best to approach each.

2. Practice timed compositions. Getting accustomed to the time limits on exams is crucial to success. Exam writing sections can range from 30 minutes to one hour in length. It is best to prepare by attempting different types of writing exercises at different time intervals.

3. Read! Reading helps expand vocabulary, and exposes students to a variety of different stories and writing styles, thus providing them with plenty of ammunition for their writing sections and helping reduce the chance of “writer’s block” striking during the exam.

Maths
The best way to prepare for maths? Practice! Practice! Practice!

Keep track of the questions that are routinely missed, and make sure to focus on those types of questions as the exam approaches. For instance, questions that students routinely find difficult include: number problems, date problems, speed, distance and time, averages, and conversions. If you’re struggling with questions like these, but are having no difficulty with others, focus your attentions wisely.

Basic skills such as adding fractions, finding percentages, and area and perimeter problems are best improved by using text books for added practice. Attempting some more challenging problems can also help develop skills by forcing students to really dissect what a question is asking.

Finally, useful resources can be found at the websites listed below.

Http://www.m-a.org.uk/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=251
Http://www.ukmt.org.uk
Http://nrich.maths.org/frontpage

Last but not least…
Relax! Don’t stay up until midnight the day before the exam trying to cram in as much study time as possible. This will only cause stress, which will harm your performance.

The day before the exam, give yourself time to unwind, relax, and get a good night’s sleep.
Remember to eat a good breakfast on exam day, as well! Getting a good start to the day will ensure focus and stamina through an exhausting day of testing.

Good Luck!