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Secondary education

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Original poster

My son underperforms in exams

37 replies

Towcester · 09/03/2023 10:16

My son, Y9 just got his latest assesment scores back in Spanish (60%) Geography 25 out of 47).

These are lower than he got last time. During parents evening the teachers commented that he was doing well and they were a bit surprised at his exam scores being so low.

With GCSEs coming up I want to address this.

He has a poor memory. He can learn something, understand it but if you ask him about it a few days later it can be gone or really need to heavily jog his memory. How can we get stuff to stick in his brain? Even learning the night before, he seems to lose a lot the next day.

Any advice?

From my university days I tried to show him how to write out a brainstorm/mind map where in the centre you have 'Geography' and then lines going out to bubbles with key words/triggers/themes so, for revision, you can just look at this one piece of paper and then have the key points which should be enough for you to expand on. We will try that going forward but that is all i have.

I don't want him to get GCSE grades below his ability so looking for ways to get him to perform well in exams.

Thanks

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 09/03/2023 10:19

To get something properly into your memory you have to keep reviewing.
So learn. Review next day. Review 2 days later. Review in a week. Review in 2 weeks. Review in a month.

Is the stuff in the tests stuff you know he revised? Did you think he knew it?

Mind maps and/or prompt cards with you testing.

sotired2 · 09/03/2023 10:20

DC will be taught over the coming years revision techniques and how to answer exam questions/manage time in an exam - I feel this is as important as actually knowing the stuff as if you dont get it down in the desired way you loose marks. My DS always lost marks in maths for just putting the answer which was yes the correct answer but he was't picking up the marks allocated for writing down his workings.

bellswithwhistles · 09/03/2023 10:21

So, I've only become aware of this as an adult.

Other people can retain information.

I'm not one of those people - yet I passed with A grades in everything back in the late 80s.

There's no easy way. you He will have to revise/revise/revise for at least 6 weeks before his exams daily - for 2 hours+.

I thought everyone did this or else how would you pass the exams? As an adult I've found out most of my contemporaries did about a week of revision and basically just reread over their work.

As an example, I'm an adult, I should be able to tell you how a volcano works. But I have literally no clue. If I go and look it up now, I'll be nodding going yes yes, that's how it all works - but set me a test on it tomorrow I'll fail.

My husband, who 'technically' is a bit dumb actually isn't. He passed an anatomy exam 5 years ago and can still tell me about the different muscles/bones etc. I'm in awe at how his brain retains information.

ChangedmynameagainforChristmas · 09/03/2023 10:25

I was always a good pupil at school. They consistently gave me good marks for course work and class work. I failed miserably in exams. Questions I knew the answers to I could not remember in the exam. It was always like this for me. The minute the exam was over it was too late to do a thing about it. I still remember failing badly in a history exam to this day.. blast Jethro Tull and his bloody horse hoe...........

Original poster
Towcester · 09/03/2023 10:38

No magic formula here is there :( He does have a great work ethic actually but he is so busy with music (orchestra) and he goes to a language school all day Saturday to learn another language (his mothers language) which also comes with lots of extra homework every week (he will not finish there until a few weeks before his final GCSE exams). I am aware that this compromises his focus on school work but his mum understandably wants him to keep going with the language.

OP posts:
Bimblesalong · 09/03/2023 10:48

Memory and revision strategies are helpful but it’s worth talking to him to see if he’s up against the clock. If he’s running out of time and has memory difficulties he may have a well masked learning difference, eg dyslexia, or just a specific issue in memory. He doesn’t need a diagnosis for the school to consider access arrangements although there is a strict process for this set out by the exam board. Contact the senco to flag this - they may already be aware due to tutor observations, but it’s worth doing.

LadyMargaretDevereux · 09/03/2023 10:53

It depends what works for him and what subject type of learning is needed. For lots of facts, try revision cards - one word or question on one side, answer on the other. Take them everywhere and use lots of spare moments to go through them. Also use post-it notes round the house if that might work. For longer answer type questions you need to practise writing at length, expanding answers and working to time. There are no short cuts for most people, you're right.

NW32023 · 09/03/2023 10:57

Sounds like a working memory issue. Ask his school to test him for processing issues. If he has issues he may entitled to extra time in exams which will make a real difference.

TeenDivided · 09/03/2023 11:41

Working memory is holding information whilst doing a task, such as in mental maths.

I think you should work on revision techniques, and coming back to things over time.

Also consider whether loads of music commitments and a day a week plus homework to an additional language are the best focus going forward. (Can he at least do a GCSE in this language to get credit for it?).

Littlemissprosecco · 09/03/2023 11:53

I’m afraid it’s about repetition!! It’s boring but it works.

TeenDivided · 09/03/2023 12:29

Littlemissprosecco · 09/03/2023 11:53

I’m afraid it’s about repetition!! It’s boring but it works.

I agree.

We would do:

  • what is war <repeat until can define>
  • what are the criteria for a just war <repeat until can list criteria>
  • what is war
  • what are the criteria for a just war <repeat>
  • give 3 different religious views on war <repeat>
  • what is war
  • what are the criteria for a just war
  • give 3 different views on war

Then again later in the day or next day, hopefully faster
Then again a few days after that

And repeat with everything needing to be learned.

Spud90 · 09/03/2023 12:34

Is he answering all the questions before the time is up?

Ask the school to do some assessments. There’s CTOPP2, which tests phonological processing, and WRAML2 which tests working memory. My son has just had these done in year 7. He gets extra time in exams and is on the additional needs register. Make sure he is very organised and use posts its and lists. Organised environment, organised mind(or something like that).

Jellycats4life · 09/03/2023 12:38

My thoughts went straight to poor working memory and slow processing too. Even academically able kids can suffer from this, and go undetected for years because they manage to do well at school despite their challenges… until they can’t anymore.

TeenDivided · 09/03/2023 12:44

Why are people jumping to poor working memory and slow processing rather than insufficient revision technique?

The OP isn't saying he runs out of time, she is saying the info isn't going into longer term memory properly?

(Genuine question, my DDs both have poor memory, slow processing. This meant we had to spend more time on understanding / learning / revising key things so couldn't go into finer details. But it isn't at all clear to me the DC is revising effectively yet)

Littlemissprosecco · 09/03/2023 13:49

I totally agree, there’s an awful lot of information needing regurgitation in GCSEs. I’m afraid the only way to remember it well is repetition until you just know it, it does happen! But it does take time. Start early and keep going over and over.
If you can manage to do this well with one test/ topic, it will be motivating, it can then be carried through to everything else.

Littlemissprosecco · 09/03/2023 13:53

My kids used to say “ But I don’t understand the question”
I’d answer “Cos you don’t know the content!”
I know that sounds tough but if they’ve really learnt it well, they’ll generally perform well

TeenDivided · 09/03/2023 14:44

Yup, you have to know the content, that is the first step.

Only then do you get to understanding what the question is asking, knowing what to include / how to solve, time management, avoiding simple errors etc.

All the exam concessions in the world can't help if the student doesn't know the content.

Manchleedsdog · 09/03/2023 16:13

My daughter did her GCSEs last summer and got all 9s except one 8 in Biology. Many of the 9s were 100%. At her mocks she was getting a mixture of 6s/7s and a few 9s. What changed? Yes she worked hard, but she thought she had worked hard before. The difference was that she learned how to work and what revision methods worked for her. She has poor working memory and APD and realised through assessment (after her mocks) that she is a visual learner so had to use that method to revise. It was helpful to know that she had the poor WM as it does affect so much more than I had assumed it would. I’d get him assessed so you know if there’s any underlying processing issue - not to use it as an excuse but so he has an understanding of how he might learn better.

Jellycats4life · 09/03/2023 16:48

@Manchleedsdog Can I ask what kind of assessment your daughter had? My daughter definitely has processing issues (auditory and otherwise) and poor WM and I’m looking to get her assessment at some point once she starts secondary school. Did you go private?

TeenDivided · 09/03/2023 17:42

jelly The school will do some tests for you if you raise concerns. That is what you need for extra time in exams.

My DD had a private dyslexia/dyspraxia assessment last year age 17 that also covered things like this. Should have done that years before, but school didn't indicate major concerns (though imo they should have), and then Covid...

Alargeoneplease89 · 09/03/2023 17:52

Check how much coursework goes towards the subjects final grade. I always think GCSEs is a good mix of exams and coursework. I have a memory like a sieve but got a C and I'm definitely not clever, so stress too much, I'm sure he will do fine - he has 2 years to get his head around it.

TeenDivided · 09/03/2023 18:05

Alargeoneplease89 · 09/03/2023 17:52

Check how much coursework goes towards the subjects final grade. I always think GCSEs is a good mix of exams and coursework. I have a memory like a sieve but got a C and I'm definitely not clever, so stress too much, I'm sure he will do fine - he has 2 years to get his head around it.

Hardly any coursework these days except for practical subjects.
None for English for example.

PetitPorpoise · 09/03/2023 18:07

I agree that you need to rule out ineffective revision before SEN.

Proper revision is not about reading and highlighting stuff.

Repetition
Good flashcards
Self quizzing
Timed past questions
Get him to teach/explain the topic to you. Be a deliberately (though not obnoxiously!) dense pupil!

Does he write in full sentences?
Can he write cohesive paragraphs?

Winewednesday · 09/03/2023 18:10

My son is the same and in year 9 too. He drops marks for not showing his workings out in maths mainly. We have decided to have a tutor to help him perform better in exams overall. We will do extra work with him to show how and why he needs to put all of the information and not just the answer.

Fancysauce · 09/03/2023 18:31

Your son sounds exactly like me at school. Ive recently been diagnosed with adhd which explains why i was good at essays and coursework (although they'd always be done at the very last minute) and shit at exams. Also why i could focus on things that interested me but wouldn't take in things i found unnecessary or boring. I definitely tend towards creativity. I was very good at masking as well.

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