SATs Revision Made Easy
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Table of Contents
Introduction
For your child to succeed in their SATs exams, they need to feel fully prepared when they sit down for the tests. In this article, we make SATs revision easy with a series of easy-to-follow tips and techniques to ensure your child is confident about their SATs exam.
Start SATs Revision Early
Setting a SATs revision programme early is important. At Exam Papers Plus, we consider it beneficial to start revising 6-9 months before the date of the exam. The sooner your child starts revising, the more material they’ll be able to cover and the more time you’ll have as a parent to identify any areas that need improving.
Create a SATs Revision Timetable
A structured revision timetable can make SATs revision much easier. By creating a timetable together, your child will have a sense of ownership over the work they need to do. This should help with their motivation when it comes time to revise. Try to set aside specific revision periods on set days, so that your child knows exactly when they’re scheduled to study. This can help avoid ‘double bookings’ with their other activities and potentially avoid arguments.
Make sure that your child doesn’t become distracted by using the timetable to set achievable targets. Once they have successfully completed a session, get them to tick it off on the timetable. Don’t forget to include regular breaks as well, as giving their brain a rest is just as important as revising for their SATs.
Find a Quiet Revision Spot
A quiet place to study will help your child to concentrate, ensuring that they get more out of each revision session. Try to remove any distractions from the area, such as televisions, radios and the internet – or put a family ban on them during study time.
If younger siblings complain, kindly point out that they will need to revise for their SATs in the future and they will then appreciate a bit of quiet time too.
Play Revision Games
We know that children often complain about revision being ‘boring’, so games are a fantastic way of making SATs revision easy. As a starter, read our post on Revision Games for Primary Kids, which provides a list of games parents can play with their children during SATs revision.
Revision games are a useful development tool, so if your child responds well to them, be sure to introduce a few in the build-up to the exams.
Use SATs Practice Exam Papers
Practice SATs papers can be an effective tool in guiding your child’s revision. By including practice papers in your child’s revision routine early, you’ll be able to identify any knowledge gaps that need additional attention. You can also track their progress by comparing their practice scores as they work through more tests.
Practice exam papers will boost your child’s confidence by enhancing their understanding of what will be required of them in the actual exam.
Revise in Short Bursts
The average 10-year-old can concentrate for approximately 20 minutes, so use this knowledge to your (and their) advantage by aiming for short revision sessions. If your child is required to concentrate at home for any longer, they’ll simply become distracted or demotivated.
During the first few weeks of revision, we would advise setting out 20-minute revision blocks on your child’s timetable, which can then be increased to 30 minutes as the exam approaches.
Use Visual Aids
Visual aids, such as post-it notes and flashcards, can make SATs revision easier. Simply write keywords on post-its and stick them in strategic places around the house – ideally in rooms that your child uses regularly. When your child passes a note, it will help to jog their memory about key revision topics.
To succeed in the SATs, your child needs to be able to recall information quickly, so using visual aids is a great way to improve this particular skill.
Tackle Weaker Subjects First
At the start of revision sessions, children tend to be more alert and have more capacity to concentrate, so it’s wise to tackle any weak areas first. Once the ‘hard part’ is out of the way, the rest of the revision session will seem much more enjoyable. There’s also the added bonus that your child is more likely to retain information when they’re in a relaxed, positive frame of mind. Which brings us to our next point…
Stay Positive
Revising for any primary school test can be an anxious time for some children, but with SATs there tends to be additional pressure. The tests are more formal and are likely to be your child’s first experience of working under exam conditions. As a parent, it’s important that you stay positive throughout the revision process. Help your child out as much as possible and always be constructive in your feedback. The more positive you are, the easier the SATs revision will be for your child.
Keep Your Child’s Usual Routine
In the build-up to the SATs exam, try to maintain your child’s usual routine as much as possible. Make sure that they continue to attend any after-school clubs and socialise with friends, as relaxation is a key component of SATs revision. Relaxing helps them to recharge and will improve their concentration for the next session.
By keeping these tips in mind, your child’s SATs revision should tick along nicely. As long as you are organised, follow a detailed study plan and stay positive, your child will have the best chance of performing well in the exams.
Related posts:
Study Skills for Primary School Children
Learning Strategies for Primary School Students
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