Daughter struggling in tests/exams

[StevieCo]

My daughter revises for hours at a time but is constantly doing poorly in tests and exams. She is very down about it and I am not sure what options we have. I would like to understand how to check she's actually revising properly and not just staring at notes and also give her the techniques to cope in an exam. Has anyone had the same problem and helped their child overcome their test stresses? We are happy to invest in tutors, educational psychologists or online courses, but just not sure where to start. All help really appreciated

[Pandoraphile]

Exam technique? Timed essays and so on? How old is she? Does she struggle with multiple topics being covered all in one paper?

My dd is doing GCSE mocks at the moment so I am brimful of exam knowledge!

[noblegiraffe]

There are good ways of revising and bad ways. She could be spending hours on things that won't particularly help her like reading notes and doing endless highlighting.

There are some helpful links on how to study effectively here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/2822454-Study-tips-and-websites-for-those-with-children-in-Y11

[StevieCo]

Hi, she is 14 and in her first year GCSE's. Test after test she has gone in confidently and comes out distraught. Her confidence is now gone. She has a genetic condition called NF2 as well so we're mindful not to pressure her too much, hence the desire for her time to be spent as effectively as possible. She is a really lovely kid and I feel a bit clueless as to how to help her - I wasn't amazing at school, but tests weren't a problem

[StevieCo]

Forgot to mention main issues are science and geography.

[BertrandRussell]

First step-have you talked to the school about it?

[TeenTimesTwo]

'hours at a time' revising is not a good method generally.
Short bursts with specific focus is better.
Pick a small topic.
Revise it, by making notes, doing online stuff, reading a bit close eyes and repeat back

then:
Make notes without looking.
Check notes are complete/correct.
or:
Do a practice question and mark it
or:
Get parent to test you

go back and re-revise the things you didn't know

All of the above ^^ is about revising effectively.

If she does really know it but does poorly in the tests you need to work out if it is due to:

• panic/stress
• not reading question properly / not answering properly
• time management
• silly mistakes

I found DD's stress levels reduced the better prepared she was, because she could go in saying to herself she DID know it and she COULD do it.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Check the exam technique is she dividing her timed based on the marks available. Remember it is always easier to gets the first five marks for a question than the last five so it is really important to tackle every question.
Is she answering the question which is asked or the question she would like it to be? Highlighting the important works in the questions helps.
For longer essay type questions writing a small plan of what she wants to include in bullet point helps.
Revision technique as others have said short bursts changing topic/subject every 45-60 mins. Getting up and walking regularly, practicing get info out onto paper as well as putting in. No more than 8 hours a day ideally in the daytime with proper relaxation time built in.