Helping my year 9 son to consolidate learning and with test technique

[Holidayqueen1]

Hiya
Our son is at grammar school. We’ve just had his report. He’s doing really well in class but a few teachers have talked about him struggling to retain knowledge and how his test results don’t reflect his contributions and book work. How can we help him? If we were to look at a tutor, what would we be looking for? Thanks

Does he try to revise for tests?

If he has a big test in 2 weeks then the first week is learning, the first half of the next week is going over, and the night before is refresher.

Test technique is spending the right time on each question, and answering to mark scheme.

My bet is he just isn't putting the time in.

Active revision and you testing him will be a good way to see if he actually knows stuff before a test.

Thanks @TeenDivided , he does, he really tries but I must admit we don’t test him. Maybe we need to be more involved?

I would get more involved to start with, as you can help him improve his revision. There are lots of threads on it on just this board if you search.

If he is trying to revise he maybe isn't being effective (perhaps just rereading notes, not making mind maps, or notes cards and trying to reproduce them).

Can he bring marked tests home? That way you can see if it is stuff you know he revised, or stuff not revised, or answering technique.

Great to get a heads up on this now rather than y11!

Brilliant, thanks so much! Will have a look, really appreciate your help.

I'd recommend (as a tutor) practice questions. CGP do great practice question books to go with their revision guides.

Do a page of practice questions. If knowledge not retained go back to the content and revise it again.then revisit the practice questions the next day.

For things he has to memorise (definitions etc) most find flash cards useful (I would get him make these as he goes for anything that the practice questions throw up that hasn't stuck).

If he writes on paper rather than in the books he can reuse them for end-of-year tests as well (or if the GCSE courses have at his school, periodically throughout.

That’s great @Frlrlrubert thank you!! I don’t suppose you offer virtual tutoring do you?!

@Holidayqueen1

I do actually, for science. Feel free to PM me.

I agree RE the CGP books - they are brilliant. My god daughter is sitting her GCSEs this year and it was the same thing where she just wasn't retaining information so her test and mock results were way below where they should be. I actually partly pay for a tutor for her now, half and half with her grandmother, and that has also made a world of difference if it's something you're considering. They do a lot on exam technique etc, but also looked at her knowledge gaps. I'm happy to pass along a recommendation if you'd like one, feel free to PM.