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.

Wondering how to help your child excel in their exams? Here are some useful exam tips on how to optimise revision time and how to keep stress to a minimum.

1) Core understanding is crucial

Revision is very important, but if your child struggled with a subject the first time around you are fighting a losing battle. Make sure your child has a firm grasp of the basics before they get going with revision exercises. If they are about to take an 11+ exam, for example, test them regularly on each topic. Repetition is key here, so try and factor in a few questions on percentages, fractions and shapes every day, even if it is just in the car on the way to school.

2) Practice makes perfect

Some exams are very formulaic. 11+ exams, for example, test the same skills every year. It is worth investing in a large wad of practice questions, therefore, and helping your child work through them. That way, they become familiar with the format of the test and know exactly what to expect. Innate ability is not everything, and there are plenty of books on sale to give your child the practice they need.

3) Draw up a revision timetable

Nobody wants to feel like they should be working all the time. It is very useful, therefore, to allocate specific times of the day for revision. Many children are most alert and productive in the morning. If it is school holiday time, therefore, put aside an hour or so before lunch for your child to practise their spelling, creative writing or arithmetic. Research has shown we work best in 30 to 40 minute bursts, so bear this in mind when you are designing a schedule. If your child is older, encourage them to make their own revision timetable and to factor in regular breaks. It will help them to manage their time and keep on top of their work.

This BBC Bitesize page is a fantastic resource for all things related to timetabling:

https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zn3497h

4) Make sure there’s time to relax

Yes, hard work always pays off. However, it is essential your child has some downtime where they can just relax and have fun. Whether they like seeing friends, baking or going to the cinema, encourage them to keep doing what they enjoy. Doing something completely different will help clear their head, ward off stress, and make the time they spend working more productive.

5) Sport can be beneficial

There’s lots of evidence that suggests physical activity can improve brain functioning. Fresh air is wonderful thing, and sport helps to reduce stress and improve sleep — the ancient saying ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ isn’t still famous for nothing. Plus, if your teenager is spending time exercising, it means they are spending time away from their phone and computer, which can only be a good thing.

6) Look into revision courses

Revision courses are proven to boost exam performance. Hampstead and Frognal Tutors run two day revision courses throughout the year in GCSE English, Maths and Science, along with 11+ English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. 13+ Revision Courses in Maths, Science and English are also available. Fun and focused, these revision courses impart both knowledge and confidence.

For more information, click here: https://hampsteadandfrognaltutors.org.uk/contact-us/

7) Don’t start revision too early

Feeling burnt out is a real risk for diligent students. If teenagers start revising too early for their GCSEs or A Levels, they are likely to peak too soon and not be at their best when exam season finally arrives.

Things are slightly different for younger students. If your child is due to sit the 11+ in the next year so, you might want to consider starting some gentle revision. For more advice on when to begin preparing, take a look at our 11+ blog post: “Can I Tutor My Own Child?”

8) Stress is contagious

Everyone wants their children to do well in school. However, children and teenagers easily sense when their parents are anxious, and often feel more stressed as a result. Sometimes you need to explain that exam results are not the most important thing in the world, and that you will be proud no matter what. Ironically, the soothing effect of these words often leads to children doing better in assessments as they approach them with less apprehension.

9) Mock exams work wonders

Regardless of how old they are, it is likely that your child will be nervous before an exam. It is sensible, therefore, to organise a mock exam before they sit the real thing. GCSE and A Level mocks teach students how to manage their time, how to keep calm under pressure and how to improve their exam technique. Younger children are often fazed by the formal nature of assessments, and a mock gives them time to adjust to the strange new set-up.

It helps if the mock takes place in an unfamiliar place and is invigilated by someone who does not know the child well. That way, the test feels more real. It is also worth noting that mark schemes can be hard to understand. If have hired a tutor, give them the answer paper to look at, as they will probably be able to mark it more accurately.

10) Consider hiring a tutor

If you have decided to employ a tutor — be it a GCSE Maths tutoror an A Level English tutor— you have probably made a good decision. One-to-one teaching is hugely powerful, particularly in the run up to exams. Whether your child needs help in a specific area, or general academic support, tutors can make a real difference.

For more information, take a look at this article which appeared in The Telegraph last year.

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