Page 11 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 7_2023

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Today's Child

he ability to perform well in the volume of work. Also, allocate a questions and essay-type questions. Each
tests is a skill that requires timetable to your study sessions. When of the questions posed to you requires
consistent practise and hence, you are working from a schedule, it knowledge of HOW to answer it and it is
our students are tested on is much easier to chunk your time essential that you answer it correctly.
Ta regular basis. Tests are effectively. Work through each section,
designed to assess students on a number one section at a time. Ensure that you Familiarise yourself with the different types
of different levels and these include: understand what you are studying so of question words that are used in tests,
• What they know (the knowledge they that you can commit it to long-term e.g. analyse, examine, explain, extrapolate,
bring into the test outside of what was memory. Use a study method that works justify, etc., so that you answer the questions
studied); for you and don’t try new methods correctly.
• What they have learned (the content of amidst the study session as this will
the test); simply confuse you and eat into your 8. PUT THE HIGHLIGHTER
• What they understand (of what they time. DOWN. There is no need to turn your
have studied); question paper into a luminous work of
• What they can apply (to show that they 4. DISTRACTIONS. Take action art. Students often go overboard with the
have truly learned the material); against possible distractions. Remove the highlighter which disputes the point of
• What they can deliver within a time distractions from the room so that you extracting the relevant information. It can
frame (the ability to perform under time are not tempted to be distracted. Alert also be a very time-consuming activity.
pressure). the people in your home to your study
These principles should be present in schedule so that they are mindful of your 9. POSTURE POWER. Maintain
the design of all tests so that students activities. good posture whilst writing the test.
are given an opportunity to perform on Sit straight up in the chair with your
varying levels. feet flat on the floor. Try to keep your
back straight. When you slouch, you
Questions should also be varied to allow squash your internal organs and this
for more concrete, knowledge-based creates an uncomfortable work frame.
questions as well as more interpretative Furthermore, avoid leaning your head on
application-type questions. A well- your hand whilst writing as it can make
structured test will incorporate all of you sleepy. Drink water throughout the
these elements to give the student a test to keep yourself alert and energised.
chance to display his or her knowledge
across a broad band of questions. 10. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE
CLOCK. As soon as the test starts, note
There are many elements at play in the the time. Regularly check the clock or
build-up to test day. Essentially, I teach your watch so that you are constantly
pupils HOW to prepare for tests so aware of the time. It is a good idea to
that they can perform optimally on the divide the sections of your test into test
day. These guidelines are designed to frames so that you work to a schedule.
assist students in applying a number of
different procedures so that they are in a 11. KEEP CALM. and don’t freak out.
position to deliver their best. When you get flustered, your thinking
brain switches off and you can’t easily
extract the information you are looking
1. THE RIGHT SPACE. Where you
TEST-A-MATICS study. Work in a room that has fresh 5. READY-STEADY-GO. Ensure guard, close your eyes, take three deep
study is very important to how you will
for. If a specific question throws you off
air, natural light, a comfortable chair
breaths and carry on – if you don’t know
that you have had a good night’s sleep
and a desk that is at the right height.
the answer to the question, move on to
the night before the test and eat a
the next one. You cannot afford to waste
Ensure that all stationery is on the desk.
Remove all distractions like cell phones,
stimulants such as coffee and energy
computers, etc. that are not necessary
don’t pop up immediately.
drinks as they will simply spike your
for study purposes. When working at hearty breakfast in the morning. Avoid time trying to ‘find’ the answers that
night, place a desk lamp on the desk – energy levels temporarily. Arrive at the 12. EDIT YOUR TEST. If you know
one that displays light from the top down test venue on time and avoid huddles of your work and work within time frames,
and spreads across the work space. people discussing the test as this could you will finish the test. Tests are not
expose you to unnecessary anxiety. Keep designed not to be completed! Use the
2. STUDY IN ADVANCE. Start calm and focused. last 5-10 minutes to check your work.
preparing at least 3 - 4 days prior to
the test so that your brain has time to 6. BE CONFIDENT. Aim to do your The amount of time you put into
adequately process the material. Avoid best in the test and don’t allow negative preparing adequately for tests and the
cramming at all costs. Cramming does thoughts to cloud your mind. Focus on rules you follow on the day play a large
not allow you to process the information, what you know and what you can do. role in your overall performance. Be
and often leads to students saying Use positive self-talk to keep yourself mindful of the expectation of each test
that they simply forgot the work, or on track during the test. Don’t ever in each subject so that you can go full
experienced a block. Cramming also tell yourself “I can’t do this”. If you tell throttle in answering the paper. Tests
creates anxiety because there is not yourself you can’t, you probably won’t. naturally cause anxiety and uneasiness
sufficient time to prepare thoroughly. amongst students, but if you are well-
7. QUESTION TYPES. Be familiar prepared you will eliminate a large
3. CHUNKING. Divide the study with the different types of questions portion of the nervousness.
material into small, manageable pieces and the expectations thereof, e.g.
so that you are not overwhelmed by multiple choice, true or false, fill-in, short Be confident – you’ve got this!

DPL issue 7 2023
10 DPL issue 7 2023 DPL issue 2 2023 711