Is your child taking entrance exams in Trafford over the next couple of weeks?  Here are the questions we are most frequently asked during this crucial time.

Entrance exam season starts on 16th September in Trafford.

1. What sort of reward should I tell my child to expect if s/he passes?

None! Imagine being ten again: if your parents offered you a fantastic present such as a games console, or a holiday for passing your exams, and then you failed, you would not only have failed but you would also have missed out on something you really, really want. To a ten year old, that feels like punishment. Very few children will do any less than their very best in an exam, so rather than rewarding success, which is its own reward, you should consider a reward which will motivate your child to spend time preparing for the exams. The best rewards are simple ones like a trip to the park or the swimming pool, or a cake or staying up half an hour past bedtime at the weekend.  Reward effort not outcome!

2.  My child is really nervous: what can I do?

Nerves can be as big a barrier to exam success as not knowing the answer!  Talk your child through Better Tuition’s relaxation techniques: they are very simple and will really help your child before and during the exam.  They take five minutes to learn and previous students have used them to great effect.

3.  I feel really anxious as a parent: what can I do?

We really do sympathise with this one: since 2011, we have tutored hundreds of children through their grammar school entrance exams and we can assure you, you are not alone if you feel anxious as a parent!  First and foremost, you should try not to let your anxiety show, difficult though this is.  Secondly, try using our relaxation techniques yourself (they do work!).  Thirdly, it really is a good idea to avoid school gate discussion of practice test scores: unless your child is a genius this sort of thing can only make you more anxious (and if they are a genius, why are you anxious?).

4.  How should we be practising in the final couple of weeks?

Employ the maxim ‘less is more’ during the final couple of weeks before your child’s examination. A marathon runner does not prepare for a marathon by running 26 miles, so don’t risk fatiguing your child by making him/ her complete relentless practice papers. The best time for a final practice run is around one week before the date of the examination. After that, your child should be allowed to relax a little. You may complete a few SHORT timed tests over the week, go over corrections briefly or just stop practising entirely. You will need to judge carefully what is best for your child.

5.  It’s all turned into a drag: how can I put the fun back into entrance exam preparation?

An entrance exam party will put the fun back into entrance exam prep!

The weekend before the exam, why not have an entrance exam party? Get mostly adult family round to take part in entrance exam quizzes and compare scores. Designate a quiz maestro and mix up ‘on the buzzer’ rounds with timed tests (read out a maths problem and get them to hold up their answer after 90 seconds), photocopied sections of the practice tests, and Odd One Out rounds (NVR or VR is ideal for this). Your child’s confidence will soar as s/he observes the dismal performance of most adults on these tests.  The quizzes will give your child a good practice, but it won’t feel like work or pressure, and trust me, the adults will LOVE it! If you’re going to have an entrance exam party, don’t forget the party hats, jam sandwiches and fairy cakes, otherwise it’s not really a party!

Finally, entrance exam season can be an anxious time for everyone (even tutors!) but try to stay as calm as you can.  If you need help, advice or lessons, call Paul Syrett or Christine McLaughlin at Better Tuition on 0161 748 3912 or pop in to our office at1 Crofts Bank Road,Urmston,M41 0XH and see us.