7+ and remembering...revision strategies few weeks before exam?

[computer1000]

My DS prepares for 7+ and when we work on topics he seems to understand etc but after few days he down not remember most of it...what would be the strategies for revision? we cannot revise everything every day...

[mazlo]

OP we find we do have to revise every day because DC forget concepts so quickly. "Little and often" is the saying.

[Ferguson]

I always claim it is not enough just to REMEMBER things - but it is important to UNDERSTAND how, and why things are done the way they are. If REAL understanding is there, a child should be able to work their way towards an answer.

[Tink06]

So they need to revise at 7? I thought it was just a reflection of where they are at?

[Tink06]

Sorry I meant to put do not so - it is a genuine question not a dig. None of mine revised at that age and I don't really remember the results being overly discussed.

[TennisMom]

computer1000, at this point with 1 month left to go until the exam, i would say practise, practise, practise.

[Autumnsky]

I agree with Tink06, children don't need to revise at 7, if he failed , then it's not a suitable school for him.

[mazlo]

tennismom did your DS revise up to the day before their 7+ exam? did your DS take a day off school before the WUS exam?

[TennisMom]

It's something worth considering. Not a terrible idea.

I think it's a fallacy to think that any "bright" child can waltz into a 7+ or any entrance exams without any preparation and expect to do well enough to get an offer. These exams are getting increasingly more difficult due to greater competition and "inside" knowledge about the exam so the bar keeps getting raised to narrow down the field.

The standard of these exams are much higher than what 6 year-olds are taught at school and they wouldn't do well on them if they have never seen these concepts before. How many 6 y.o. are doing fractions and double-digit multiplications in school right now? Most are still doing number bonds to 10! Ditto thinking on your feet and whipping out a creative writing piece with literary devices in 30 minutes. Most adults would struggle.

Where natural intelligence comes into play and allows the child to shine above the "over-tutored" child is during the second interview and activity round. However, one has to pass the exam hurdle first.