7 Exam Mistakes Singapore Kids Make – And How To Prevent Them

You prepped your kid well for the big exam, so why did he make that careless mistake or leave that MCQ answer blank? Eveline Gan polls the experts for ways to help your child score better.

- Eveline Gan

A missed multiple-choice question (MCQ) here, an unanswered problem sum there. Add them up and preventable mistakes could make the difference between an A and B grade, or a pass and fail.

When it comes to doing well for exams, ample practice and smart strategies make all the difference. Young Parents asked the experts to share tips on overcoming common exam boo-boos and the skills that every kid needs to tackle an exam paper.

MISTAKE 1 Leaving revision to the last minute

Last-minute cramming does not help, says Vyda S. Chai, clinical psychologist of Think Psychological Services and Think Kids Intervention and Developmental Services.

“Research has shown that attempting to pull an all-nighter can affect your long-term memory up to four days. When we don’t get enough sleep, our brain can lose grip of important information we need to absorb,” she explains.

EXAM-PROOF YOUR KID

Ensure that your kid gets enough sleep before the exams. “When we sleep, the brain absorbs information learnt and stores it in your long-term memory bank,” Vyda explains.

Schedule a study plan as part of the pre-exam preparations and revise bit by bit throughout the year. Keep revision sessions short and regularly, advises Billy Clucas, a teacher at the British Council.

“I tell students that it is about quality, not quantity – and this applies to revision, too. Instead of completing piles of worksheets and past papers, consider dividing each part of the exam into sections and focus on specifics,” Billy says.

To keep things fun and stimulating, vary your revision schedule and invite friends and family members to test each other, he adds.

Be sure to pencil in snack and exercise breaks between study time, so that your kid can de-stress, Vyda says.