5 Tips to Prepare for the PSLE!

Hello, I’m Teacher Naseem from Lil’ but Mighty. As the mid-year examinations draw near, many parents and Primary 6 students are likely pondering how to prepare for the PSLE effectively, especially with the breadth of topics to cover! Examinations are indeed a significant milestone in a student’s academic journey, and this period can understandably be stressful for both students and their families.

Parents play a vital role in their child’s success and overall well-being during this crucial time. Guiding children through the revision process can feel like an uphill battle, particularly when juggling family time and social commitments. For P6 students, the mid-year exams can feel particularly overwhelming, with the expectation to revise material from Primary 3 to Primary 6.

This is precisely where effective revision planning becomes invaluable for your child. This planning shouldn’t involve endless hours of studying; rather, it should be an efficient and structured approach that is manageable. So, how to prepare for the PSLE in a way that is both effective and sustainable?

Crafting a Useful and Workable Study Plan

Effective time management is fundamental and significantly enhances a student’s learning. Ensure your child allocates specific time slots for each subject. Actively assist them in creating a study plan that is both useful and achievable. If your child demonstrates independence, they can certainly take the lead in planning.

Time Allocation

Your child can begin by calculating the number of topics or subjects they need to cover and then divide their available time accordingly.

Next, help them create a to-do list, scheduling items on their calendar based on priority or logical sequence.

Finally, aim for at least one to two hours of focused revision each day in your child’s schedule.

Be Specific

Avoid creating vague schedule entries. Instead of simply writing ‘revise English for 1 hour,’ encourage your child to include specific tasks such as ‘Create a mind map of narrative techniques’ or ‘Complete one comprehension passage and review answers.’ This provides a clearer focus and understanding of what needs to be accomplished for each subject.

When revising specific language components like English Composition, your child can revisit writing techniques they’ve learned, such as the effective use of 5-senses description, characterisation, and vivid descriptions for different settings.

Identifying Common Mistakes

Support your child by pinpointing areas they find most challenging. It would be beneficial if your child could create a list of common errors they’ve made in past exams or challenging question types. This list can serve as a crucial reminder of pitfalls to avoid.

Allocate more time to thoroughly understand these challenging topics and dedicate extra practice to them. Remember, consistent practice leads to improvement!

Prioritising Breaks and Adequate Rest

Quality of study always outweighs quantity. Revisiting Tip #1, remember to incorporate regular breaks into their study schedule. Breaks are essential for maintaining focus and preventing burnout. After an hour or two of focused practice, a fifteen-minute break for a healthy snack or a quick chat can be very beneficial.

Stepping back allows your child’s mind to refresh. Offering words of encouragement and motivation during breaks can significantly boost their drive to continue with revision.

Throughout your child’s revision, offer your support and encourage them to seek help from their tutors or teachers if they encounter difficulties understanding specific topics.

Establishing a Revision Rhythm

Avoid cramming everything in just a few days before the exam. Start the revision process now!

Encourage your child to dedicate some time each day to revise their work in manageable “batches.” For instance, they could recall new topics the day after learning them, and then again a week after the initial lesson. This consistent reinforcement of topics will significantly improve their ability to retain and recall knowledge and concepts.

Encourage your child to create mind maps or concise notes to quickly refresh their understanding of topics. This is also an effective way to improve memory retention. However, ensure this time is used productively; excessive time spent on aesthetics like highlighter colours or layout can reduce efficiency.

Implementing Practice Testing

Practice testing involves self-testing or completing practice exams to assess understanding and retention. This method effectively identifies areas of weakness and reinforces learning through active recall.

I find it particularly helpful for students to practice with past year exam papers under timed conditions at least once. This simulates the actual exam environment your child will be in. It allows them to apply the content they have learned and practice using the relevant concepts. In this way, practice testing helps them become familiar with exam formats and time constraints.

However, it’s important to note that while doing full exam papers helps students develop a sense of time management during examinations, it shouldn’t be the sole method of revision. Focusing on the specific areas where students have identified weaknesses can be more beneficial in achieving clarity and confidence in tackling those areas (Refer back to Tip #2!).

In summary, here are the 5 Tips which I hope will guide your child during this demanding period:

1. Create a Useful and Workable Schedule
2. Identify Common Mistakes
3. Take Breaks and Get Enough Rest
4. Set a Rhythm to Revision
5. Practice Testing

Parents are undoubtedly a child’s greatest source of support during examination time. Continue to offer words of motivation and encouragement to keep them going. Ensuring your child feels well-prepared also significantly contributes to their confidence for the examinations, which can, in turn, help them achieve their best. Remember, the ultimate goal is to help your child learn effectively, develop strong study habits, and prioritize their well-being! Keep your spirits high!