Hot Tips for Kids

- Try not to stress too much Remember that, even though these tests are important, you should not worry about them.  They are not the be all end all. Just try your hardest and you'll have nothing to worry about.

- Read the question A common mistake in theses exams is that people jump to conclusions about what the question is asking before they have read it fully. Don’t write the cost when the question is asking how much change. It may be helpful to underline the keywords in the question so you know exactly what to do.

- Make your answer clear Make sure that you make your answer clear. Don’t make your 1’s look like 7’s. Equally don’t underline the answer when you are asked to circle it.

- Bring the right equipment A carpenter’s only as good as his tools so have your full equipment ready the night beforehand. If you have your equipment you will not have to worry about frantically asking other people to borrow a pencil.

- Answer all the questions Even if you are not sure of an answer, you should still write something in the box, after all if you don’t write an answer you definitely won’t get the mark.

- Have a good night’s sleep It is vital that you have a good night’s sleep before the test to wake up refreshed and awake. Have a shower to wake you up. Also make sure you have a good fulfilling breakfast that will keep you going throughout the test.

- Enjoy the test Even though the test is important you should enjoy showing what you can do. This is your chance to let your new school know your strengths.

- Go to the toilet before the test There is nothing worse than needing the toilet in the middle of an exam so make sure you go to the toilet before the test.

- Show your working Where possible remember to show your working, especially in the places where it tells you to.

- Make notes When revising, make notes that you can understand. It is helpful to put it in a book or folder that you can look back on the day before the exam.

-Don’t leave revising till the last minute as it will not help you. It is better to revise slowly and calmly when you have time before the exam than think ‘I don’t know any of this stuff’ and get all panicky.

- Revise the stuff that you find harder so that you can conquer your difficulties. Don’t choose the one that you find easier just because it will give you a hard time.

- Ask an adult If you are stuck on a question don’t be afraid to ask an adult. It is much better to share your problems than to  be stuck on the day of the exam.

- Plan a strict timetable of when to revise with your parents. You might decide that you work better in the mornings than in the evenings.

- Always look back on old work that you have done as well as trying new questions.

- Take regular breaks from your revision and don’t stay up all night.

- Ask if you don't understand On the day, don’t be afraid of asking the teacher to repeat things if you do not understand the instruction given to you.

- If you get stuck on a question then go onto the next one Then, at the end you might have time to think again about it. Do not spend lots of time on one question and then find out that the test is finished before you have had a chance to do the other questions.

- Leave a few minutes spare to look over the test once you have finished keep doing this till your time is up. Look back on the ones that you are not sure about first.

- Don’t worry about the exam when it is over you have done your best and that is important. You’ve done it now and you cannot change things!

- Don’t go over the answers with friends afterwards as this will make you more anxious.

- Always go the extra mile If there is a question giving you the choice of doing something extra for more marks then do it to the best of your ability.