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5 Tips for Your Kids to Conquer Their Exams
If your kids are gearing up for exam season, you might be feeling a bit anxious. As a college professor, I’ve seen firsthand how students can struggle during tests. From running out of time to handing in empty sheets, many leave the exam room looking defeated. Unfortunately, this often leads to disappointing grades days later.
The reality is, a lot of these students put in the effort, but many lack the skills needed to tackle exam situations effectively. This gap in knowledge isn’t uncommon; the U.S. education system often overlooks teaching effective test-taking strategies. Trust me, I’ve graded a lot of exams and have seen this firsthand.
Having grown up in a rigorous academic environment in Hong Kong, I learned how to navigate exams effectively. The high-stakes Certificate of Education (HKCE) was just as crucial to me as the SAT or ACT is to American students. At 17, I faced 20 different exams across nine subjects in a month, and each one was fiercely competitive.
Exams are not just about what you know; they’re also about how you present that knowledge within a limited time frame. Think of it like an Olympic gymnastics routine—the gold medal goes to the performer who impresses the judges, not just the one who can execute difficult moves in private. Here are five practical tips to help your kids approach their exams with confidence:
- Pause Before You Start.
When the exam begins, it can be tempting to dive right in. However, the first few minutes should be spent scanning the exam paper instead of hastily writing answers. Familiarize themselves with the questions and point distribution. This helps in making a strategic plan based on their strengths and weaknesses. - Pay Attention to Points.
I often see students dedicate a lot of time to low-point questions while neglecting the more significant ones. Encourage your kids to allocate their time according to point value. For instance, if a question is worth three points, they should aim to provide three solid points in their answer—no more, no less. - Tackle Questions Out of Order.
Many students leave questions blank simply because they follow the exam’s order. Remind your kids that the more challenging questions are often found at the end of the exam, and answering them could yield more points. A smart approach is to tackle easier or higher-point questions first to maximize their score. - Know When to Move On.
It can be frustrating to get stuck on a tough question as time ticks away. Encourage your kids to be mindful of the clock and to recognize when it’s time to switch to easier questions. This helps prevent the dreaded situation of leaving many unanswered questions. - Practice with Sample Exams.
Surprisingly, many students overlook the importance of practicing with sample exams. Encourage your kids to dedicate time to tackle these practice questions seriously. Often, what seems easy in their minds doesn’t translate well onto paper. They should prioritize this over last-minute studying the night before.
Exams may not be perfect measures of knowledge, but they remain one of the best tools we have for assessment. The key takeaway is that students don’t necessarily need to hit the books harder; they just need to refine their test-taking techniques.
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