May Half Term Study Guide: Effective Entrance Exam Preparation Tips for Parents

As we approach the May Half Term, many parents ask me, how do we strike the perfect balance between giving our child a well-deserved break and keeping the preparation momentum going? The good news is that with a thoughtful approach, both can be achieved.

Half term is a golden opportunity – a week without schoolwork competing for attention, yet short enough that children won’t lose their study rhythm.

Here’s how to make it work for your family.

Why Quality Beats Quantity in May Half Term Revision

I know, I bang on about this, A LOT.

When it comes to effective revision techniques, research consistently shows that how children learn matters far more than how long they study. The science of learning tells us that spaced learning (spreading learning over several days) beats protracted study sessions every time; active recall (testing knowledge rather than re-reading) strengthens memory pathways; and short sharp bursts of study followed by 5-minute breaks keep young minds fresh and engaged.

I suggest to parents that they should aim for two focused 60-90-minute sessions per day during half term (dependent on age), ideally in the morning when children’s minds are sharpest. This leaves plenty of afternoon time for play, family activities and the downtime every child needs. Fun study break activities like drawing, puzzles or short walks can refresh focus before the next session.

Identifying and Tackling Weaknesses

Without the distraction of school and lessons, half term presents the perfect opportunity to address those niggling weak spots. Here’s a practical approach:

1. Start with a diagnostic day: Use a practice paper/s to identify specific areas needing attention.

2. Create a weakness heat map: Mark topics as red (needs significant work), amber (needs some practice) or green (confident).

3. Prioritise systematically: Tackle one red area per day, mixing it with amber and green topics to maintain confidence.

Remember, this isn’t about fixing everything, you’ll only get so much done in a week – but it is about strategic improvement. As one parent recently told me;

Building Long-Form Skills: Creative Writing, Comprehension and Maths Practice

While multiple-choice practice often takes centre stage (and rightfully so for those taking crucial pretests or grammar school entrance papers, which tend to be in multiple choice format), many parents overlook the importance of maintaining written response skills.

If your child makes it through to second round assessments, they’ll most probably need to:

● Write creatively
● Complete full comprehension answers that demonstrate deep understanding
● Show their mathematical workings clearly

I recommend dedicating at least one session during half term to completing a full creative writing piece, especially if your child is preparing for a creative writing exam in the second round. Set up a cosy writing corner, provide interesting prompts and let your child’s imagination flow. Similarly, ask them to do a couple of full written comprehension exam answers and maths papers in which they need to show their workings. These longer tasks not only build stamina and prepare them for potential written papers, but also provide a refreshing change from rapid-fire multiple-choice practice.

Using May Half Term to Prepare Early for Entrance Exams

Think of May Half Term as your reconnaissance mission for the summer holidays! By identifying areas of concern now, you’re essentially creating a strategy for that longer holiday ahead. This “forewarned is forearmed” approach means:

● A balanced half term schedule that mixes study, rest and enrichment activities.
● No nasty surprises when exam season arrives
● Time to source the right resources and materials
● Opportunity to book tutoring sessions or an intensive course if needed
● A clear plan that reduces parent anxiety (yes, we feel it too!)

Protecting Young Minds: Children’s Mental Health Matters

High-stakes exam preparation can be stressful for the whole family. The science is clear on what supports children’s mental health during intense study periods. Daily physical activity is a must. A morning bike ride or afternoon swim can improve afternoon study sessions. Simple breathing exercises can reset anxious minds. Aim for productive work 80% of the time; perfectionism is the enemy of progress and well-being! And end each study day by acknowledging effort, not merely achievement. This kind of positive reinforcement study builds motivation over time. “You concentrated so well during that verbal reasoning practice” is much better than saying “You got 95%”. This lets your child know that a number does not define them and plays a key role in reducing exam anxiety by shifting focus away from perfectionism.

Science-Backed Revision Techniques That Improve Retention

Drawing from cognitive psychology research, here are five techniques that consistently deliver results:

Talk through learning – Have your child explain a concept as if teaching it to you or a younger sibling. If they struggle, that’s your cue for where understanding needs strengthening. This simple exercise makes talk through learning both diagnostic and confidence-building. If you’re interested in falling down a fun rabbit hole, learn more about the plastic platypus learning technique.

Combining words with pictures – For vocabulary building, create visual word maps. For maths problems, draw diagrams alongside calculations. These visual word aids turn abstract terms into memorable visuals.

Active recall – Instead of re-reading notes, close the book and ask your child to write down everything they remember. This active recall strengthens neural pathways far more effectively than passive review. Repeating this exercise over a number of days, with gaps in between, helps the learning sink in. If you’re interested in the origins of this learning technique, it’s called the Feynman Technique.

Interleaving – Mix different subjects within a study session rather than blocking them separately. This mimics the actual exam experience and improves cognitive flexibility… and keeps things interesting. Consider sandwiching the tougher elements in between the things your child finds easier, so things start and end well.

Start each study session with an easy two-minute task. This overcomes initial resistance and builds momentum naturally.

A Sample Daily Study Plan for May Half Term

Here’s what a half term study schedule might look like:
8:30 AM: Breakfast and morning chat
9:00 AM: Session 1 (focus on weakest area)
10:30 AM: Outdoor activity/free play
11:30 AM: Session 2 (mixed practice)
1:00 PM: Lunch and rest
2:00 PM: Family activity/outing
5:00 PM: Light review/reading time
6:00 PM: Evening routine begins

Sticking to a daily study plan for half term helps avoid last-minute cramming and sets healthy expectations.