So many young people don’t feel the need to revise and prepare for their mock exams because while it is assessed, it is not often counted towards a final grade and therefore many deem it “irrelevant” or a waste of their time. 

As so many people found out during the pandemic, mock exams can play a monumental role in determining a child’s grades and their path in higher education and employment. 

Yes, there may be more flexibility on revising for the odd mock history test in year nine but regardless of what stage of their education they are at, we believe children should always strive to succeed and make the most out of every exam environment.

We know just how valuable mocks are so we are sharing guidance on what students and parents can do to make the most of these exams, from hiring an exam tutor to improving note-taking skills. 

So what are the benefits of revising for mocks and hiring an exam tutor?

The opportunity to experience an exam environment 

Going into an exam environment can be incredibly daunting for young people and the stress and unfamiliarity of exams can play a role in their overall performance. Revising for mocks and treating them like the real exam will ensure children have not only have the knowledge to do well but also gives them the opportunity to experience sitting an exam so they are mentally prepared ahead of the real thing.

Strong performance in mocks can set a child up for success 

You never know when something might go awry during a final exam, whether that be a memory lapse on a hidden text a child thought they knew inside out or a global pandemic preventing exams from even going ahead. Revising for mocks will set your child up for success and ensure they have strong results to fall back on if they are unable to make the real exam or if something doesn’t go to plan on the day.

Prevents children from being caught out

Both parents and children will have heard a classmate say “I didn’t even bother revising” at some stage in the lead-up to exams. The likelihood is that isn’t true and there would have been an element of revision taking place behind the scenes, whether it was working with an exam tutor or cramming on the bus on the way into school in the week prior. 

Even if a child’s peers really aren’t revising, it’s important to keep in mind that people have strong subjects and natural aptitudes towards specific areas so it may be that they have less need to revise given their knowledge of a subject is already strong.

Children shouldn’t be lured into a false sense of security by thinking nobody else is revising so they can forgo it too because that’s so rarely the case and the only people that lose out are those who genuinely didn’t revise. 

Exam Tutors can help identify knowledge gaps

Preparing for mocks means a child can answer questions to the best of their ability, ensuring teachers, an exam tutor and parents all have a solid understanding of a child’s capabilities so they can address any knowledge gaps or weaker subjects in plenty of time for the real exam. 

Should We Hire an Exam Tutor?

Almost every child will have areas of strength and weakness when it comes to approaching exams, just as they will have subjects they find easy (and challenging) so there’s always benefit in engaging an exam tutor to help address the weaker areas but it’s essential to find the right person for your child.

At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors we know every child is different and that each will have a unique learning style so whether your child is baffled by trigonometry or needs a helping hand approaching an unseen text in an English exam, our exam tutors will identify your child’s individual needs and devise a tailor-made programme of tuition to help them thrive.

What Other Techniques and Resources Are Available To Help with Mock Exam Revision?

School resources

If there’s an important exam coming up then one of the best resources for revision will almost certainly be a child’s existing textbooks as these will ensure all core elements of the curriculum have been covered.

Schools and teachers will also be on hand to answer questions and give guidance if students require additional support, both because they want the best for their pupils and because it reflects well on the school or university if academic performance is strong – so if there are any areas you feel your child could spend more time revising, a teacher will be glad to point you in the direction of the right textbook chapter or any additional learning materials to support revision.

Lesson Notes

Just as school and university resources will help support learning, so will a child’s own notes. In the months and weeks leading up to exams, effective note taking is enormously helpful as it allows people to manage and condense the information presented during lessons, lectures or meetings in a way that can be easily-retained for future use and can help provide clarity and structure when answering questions both in coursework and exam settings. We talk more about effective note-taking and tips to do so in this post.

Podcasts, Films & Books

While the likes of podcasts and TV can be a distraction during revision periods, there are a handful of shows that can help enrich learning and bolster a child’s knowledge in a light and engaging way. Not all children find reading textbooks and notes an effective way to revise so finding other materials such as podcasts, audiobooks or video content from a reliable source can support revision and help young people consume knowledge in a way that is easier to digest. 

Additionally, some shows may provide additional context or insight beyond what’s been taught in lessons which can help elevate exam answers and inspire self-directed learning.

In summary, no matter how a child chooses to approach revision, preparation for mocks is always worthwhile, even if it’s not something anyone particularly looks forward to. From textbooks, to exam tutors to audiobooks, there are a number of tools available for children to help make revision as manageable and enjoyable as possible and ensure they are set up for success when full exams roll around.

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Useful resources:

Spotify’s “Revise” Playlist – students break down complicated revision subjects to their core components to support revision for GCSE & A Level exams.

The post Mock Exams: Is Revision Worth It and Should I Hire An Exam Tutor? appeared first on Hampstead and Frognal Tutors.

At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, it’s our goal to understand your objectives, your child’s needs and any areas of concern so we can connect you with the right tutors as seamlessly as possible. But whichever way you choose to approach hiring someone to support your child’s learning, there are simple measures that you can take to help you identify the right tutor for the job. 

Why do families hire tutors?

Every family will have their own reason for wanting to hire a tutor but typically families engage the services of a tutor for one of the following reasons:

To offer homework help

Children often view homework as a chore, meaning it’s approached half-heartedly, left until the last minute or missed entirely. However, homework is a crucial part of a child’s education so a homework help tutor can provide a structured environment in which to complete homework and ensure your child has the necessary support outside of school hours 

To bridge any knowledge gaps

We know children each have subjects or topics they excel in (or are more passionate about) and subjects they find more challenging. Tutors can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their pupils and build lessons that help plug any knowledge gaps so children can excel and continue building on that knowledge when they are back in the classroom. 

To support Elective Home Education

Homeschooling (also known as ‘elective home education) is becoming increasingly popular here in the UK. While some families choose to lead on homeschooling themselves, others will look to a homeschool tutor to drive lessons, or just for guidance on things like the national curriculum and public assessments.

To provide additional support in the lead-up to exams

Each child handles exams differently. Some need a helping hand with approaching unseen papers in a timed environment and others may be fine working under pressure but may need support on weaker subjects. Whatever the reason, a tutor can help ensure your child is equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to perform at their best in exams. At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors we offer tutors from the 7+ all the way through to university admissions exams and can support your child throughout their educational journey.

To provide expertise for specialist exams

From the LNATs to the GMATs to the UCATs, there are all manner of exams required for specialist subjects and a lot of pressure to perform well. Specialised tutors will be able to guide you through the admissions process and gain an understanding of your child’s academic background to develop both new and existing skills to maximise their potential.

Regardless of your reason for wanting to hire a tutor, it’s important to find the right person to fit your child’s needs so they can best support learning and development.

So how do you identify the right tutor?

Every student is different and has their own unique learning style so it’s important to find someone who can bring out the best in them and deliver content in an engaging way. 

There are several steps you can take to help narrow down your search and make sure you identify the right tutor for your child.

In the UK there aren’t currently legal requirements to be a tutor so it can be hard to find someone with the right qualifications and checks in place. At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, every one of our tutors has passed our rigorous in-person interviews, reference checks, qualification documentation validation and are Enhanced DBS Certificated. 

We are also members of The Tutors’ Association (TTA) which is the only professional, associative body for tutoring that is recognised by the UK government. We recommend always engaging a tutor who is a member of the TTA as the association always puts safeguarding first and all tutors will be required to have had a recent DBS check. 

Look for a tutor who possesses these qualities

• A good listener – tutoring is just as much about listening as it is teaching. Finding a tutor who is a listener means they likely have a patient nature, which is an essential skill to have. Being a good listener will allow them to actively engage with your child, take an interest in their questions and address any concerns being raised to best support learning and development.
• Personable – It may sound like a given but when you’re trying to identify the right tutor, it is essential to look for someone your child can relate to and who delivers engaging lessons. This will make all the difference as your child will more actively participate with lesson content which makes sessions fun and in turn increases the likelihood of them retaining what they’ve learnt. 
• Trustworthy – Trustworthiness is such an important quality for a tutor to possess as children should feel their sessions are a safe environment to ask questions or raise concerns should they need to.
• Adaptable – There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to tutoring. Every child has specific needs but the right tutor will be able to adapt to different learning styles, assess a child’s strengths and weaknesses and develop a bespoke plan that maximises their potential.
• Able to give constructive feedback – Every child has areas in which they struggle or need a bit of extra support so being able to give constructive feedback is an invaluable skill for a tutor. When given, constructive feedback equips children with the tools and knowledge they need to progress but can also help motivate them and inspire self-directed learning going forward. 

Decide whether you’d like sessions to be in-person or virtual

Face-to-face tuition is of course indisputably effective. However, both pre and post-pandemic, children of all ages have been able to reap huge benefits through virtual learning.

Convenience is a major draw for many families when it comes to online learning as it gives you  the flexibility to continue with sessions regardless of where you are.This is particularly beneficial during school holidays or for families who move regularly as you will always have a wealth of online resources at your fingertips.

Many parents also find online tuition less intrusive and disruptive to family life and children often feel more relaxed when they are taught remotely. 

There’s also the option to move forward with a combination of both but ultimately, it’s what best suits your family’s lifestyle and your child’s needs.

Set expectations and clear objectives 

It’s important to consider what you want the outcome of tutoring to be so you’re able to set clear expectations with a tutor. Before shortlisting tutors, ask yourself questions like:

• What do I want my child to get out of these tutoring sessions?
• What would ‘success’ look like?
• What are the areas of concern or focus for your child?
• Is there a certain time frame a tutor needs to work within (i.e. in the lead-up to an exam)?
• How often can I commit to my child being tutored? 

These are all things to consider when identifying the right tutor for your child as it will help narrow down your search. You should also be transparent about your objectives when you engage a tutor as the right person will be able to appease any concerns you have and work with you to develop a tailored plan that addresses your child’s needs so they’re able to get the most out of sessions.

At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors we will have an initial consultation with you to better understand your family and your ambitions for your children to ensure we can provide you with the best tuition services to support and invest in your children’s future. All you have to do is get in touch or make a tutoring request and we’ll sort the rest.

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Useful resources:

Find out more about The Tutors’ Association here

The post How To Identify The Right Tutor For Your Child appeared first on Hampstead and Frognal Tutors.