A-level study advice

[blinkbonny]

My son is in final year sixth form and I am worrying about how to support him in A-level studying. He is mildly dyspraxic (assessed) and struggles with attention in class, but is very diligent about working through homework and puts in a lot of effort. Unfortunately this effort is not bringing him the results he wants and needs if he is to go to university, which is his goal. He would need to pull up the results from his year 12 mocks by at least one grade each.

I would like to support him better in his studying since clearly what he’s been doing in the past hasn’t brought him the results he wants. He’s fairly open to being helped but I’m not sure enough myself of what would be helpful to feel I can make a difference. For his Maths he is doing daily practice, plus getting support from a family member, so I think that one is covered. But for his other two subjects, which are essay-based, I don’t know how to help him prepare.

I’d be interested in other people’s suggestions on how best to prepare for essay-based topics. Obviously there is a lot of advice online and it’s about finding what works best for each person’s preferences - but why worked well for you or your child? I’d really love to know. I feel if I could just get it organised I could help but I don’t know what to do. Thank you and sorry for such a long post!

Get the exam board spec (from the Internet if he doesn't have it to hand). Pick one part of one topic. Make sure he has chosen a fairly small 'thing' to understand in each learning session.

When he has finished revising it (actively, by eg reducing to shorter notes, not just staring at file or textbooks) ask him to teach it to you. You can ask questions so he realises where the gaps are. Then get him to explain how this bit relates to another part of the syllabus.

Once he's done this a few times with different sections of knowledge, get him to plan an essay answer, but only write the first paragraph. A good exam tip is to put into the first paragraph everything one might expect to find in a conclusion. Most A level exam essays need better introductions and no or very tiny conclusions. You really have to know your stuff to be able to do this well and the examiner will be happily ticking away from the start of the essay.

Thanks @Benvolio, that's a really helpful approach to chunk it down to be more manageable and to focus his attention. I will start with that with one of the topics he finished in year 12 which risks getting "dusty". Thank you!

Good ideas from Benvolio. I agree that looking at the spec and working back through what he knows and does not know is helpful. Also helpful is looking at essay writing techniques; there is lots of info online.

Might we ask what subjects? And what is he hoping to study at uni?

Were his teachers surprised at his lower mock grades - in other words, are they predicting him higher grades that they think he has the capacity to achieve? If so, then great, it's about helping him to fulfil his potential.

OTOH if the lower grades are in line with what his teachers expect, he may need to scale back his expectations. If he puts in a lot of effort (unless that effort is very misdirected - which is of course possible, as per my comments above) and still is not achieving what he needs or wants, then maybe he is aiming too high.

If massive input from me to support DS2 in his A levels (unlikely! I am not a scientist) would have gained him 3 x A* and got him a place at Cambridge, rather than the AAB and place at L boro he did gain, I don't think it would have been helpful - as once there, he would have been out of his depth. Do you see what I am trying to say?

You ask "what worked for you or your child?" - I was always happy to support in any way I could such as being a sounding board, buying what was needed in the way of revision guides and text books, supplying snacks, giving a quiet place to work; but I was wary of too much input. My DD actually did an A level in my specialism and I gave her a few pointers - but she needed to do it herself tbh.

Not trying to rain on your parade, honestly, just something to think about.

Also helpful is looking at essay writing techniques

I would guess that one of the reasons he isn't progressing and getting good marks despite his hard work might be that he hasn't grasped the fundamentals of what is required, rather than "knowing the facts", and needs to work on his research skills, critical analysis, and essay writing skills. A levels aren't about what you know, it is about deciding what is relevant, evaluating facts, structuring an argument etc. Those are core skills that he will need at university, if that is his aim.

Could you afford a few sessions with a tutor to look at his work and point him in the right direction?

This is all so helpful, thank you very much. @clary his subjects are History and Sociology in addition to Maths. He wants to study Sociology at uni and that was his highest mock mark. His Maths teacher was surprised at his low mark and is giving him extra support and practice, but I haven't heard specific feedback from the History teacher: I will check with my son. IIRC his last predicted grades in all was one or two higher than he achieved in each case, so presumably the teachers think he can do better: not miles better, but better!

I think you hit the nail on the head @chesirecat99 in that his knowledge is sound, but he isn't always getting across the type of critical thinking and analysis that is needed. And he can go down rabbit holes by launching into answering questions too quickly and not realising till too late that he has misunderstood (he has even managed this in Maths, not only essay subjects!). So a part will certainly be technique and learning to assess the question's needs calmly.

I definitely don't want to push him into a path he isn't suited for, but I would like his grades to reflect his abilities which right now I'm not sure they do. And I'd like him to put in the level of effort needed to ensure he is setting good habits and learning what works for him before getting to a university, if he chooses that path. I try to offer support/advice but he generally prefers to be left alone to do it his way - but that doesn't seem to be working, so I'm trying to figure out how to help him explore alternative approaches. Without taking over since I agree he has to do the work himself! The trouble is he has elder siblings who did not require much support so he thinks he doesn't either. But he does.

Really appreciate the help. The tutor idea is also a good one, to provide objective input into essay attempts. Thank you all!

Ah that sounds really positive then - as if it is about exam technique and maybe essay technique. We have all marked essays where the student (you know) had the knowledge but didn't show it, or show it in the best way. So it's about looking at exam papers and, importantly, mark schemes, discuss with teachers, yes see if you can source a tutor - many are now working online which opens up more options. Good luck to him.

Thank you very much for everyone's helpful advice, I feel I have some direction now