Preparing for the 13+ Common Entrance exams
Published online on January 25th, 2015
With January drawing to a close, there are approximately 11 weeks of term time remaining between now and the 13+ Common Entrance exams. The experts from My Tutor Club offer their valuable advice
The coming Common Entrance exams need not be daunting or overwhelming. With a little organisation and planning for the months ahead, you can make sure that your child will be prepared, confident and ready for the 13+ Common Entrance exams.
Here are 5 key guidelines to help you and your child plan for the upcoming months:
Focus on learning core content now
Ask your teacher now what remaining topics you will be covering on the 13+ syllabus for this term. Put these down in your timetable. Remember that the last month before the exams you should be revising and improving your exam technique only. You should not be learning new material. The heavy lifting of learning new content should be done this term and at the very latest over the Easter break.
Start scheduling and planning now
When planning your revision schedule for 13+ Common Entrance, be aware that you will need time for rest, relaxation and revision. Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail. To increase confidence and boost performance, a little bit of work over a longer period of time is hugely more beneficial than last minute cramming.
Exam technique
Remember it is one thing to know the syllabus content and quite another to be able to apply your knowledge in an exam setting which answers the questions being asked. In 13+ Maths for example, “interpreting” a 3 line worded question and understanding what is actually being asked is often more difficult than the actual pure Maths.
Effective learning
Learn the core content while at the same time studying how these topics are examined in past papers. You can improve your exam performance by starting to work through past papers now. The best candidates at 13+ Common Entrance don’t know the most material; they are the most adept at using what they do know effectively and efficiently.
Put time limits on your homework and reward yourself
If you tell yourself that you have only 40 minutes to complete your homework or to read about a new topic, you are more likely to complete it within that time period as opposed to having an open ended time limit. Reward yourself (for example half an hour of TV or 30 minutes on the iPad) but only if you are able to complete your assignments on time. By giving yourself time limits and rewarding yourself, these will make your actual time studying and revising hugely more efficient.
My Tutor Club Booster Courses
My Tutor Club, is a leading private tuition company based in London that provides private tutoring for all levels (both in-person and online) as well as 13+ / GCSE / A-Level revision booster courses, Schools Advisory consultancy and 11+ school interview practice to students in the UK and abroad.
13+ Booster courses
They are holding 13+ Booster courses for Maths, English and Science throughout the February half term and the Easter break which will be tailored towards the ISEB 13+ Common Entrance exams.
For more information about these courses or private tuition, either in-person or online, please contact My Tutor Club: hello@mytutorclub.com or visit www.mytutorclub.com
