If your child is enrolled in a school that follows the British curriculum, they will take the O-Level exams when they turn 16.
O-Level or Ordinary Level exams are given to students to evaluate their academic ability and their readiness for more advanced or A-Level courses.
The General Certificate of Education or GCE O-Level exams are crucial for students since their results determine whether they are ready to take more advanced courses in preparation for the A-Level tests and if they can go to the college they choose.
Students enrolled in O-Level schools in Dubai are usually provided with various types of support to help them perform well in their exams. Teachers offer review classes and give learners time for revisions so that students can do their best on the tests.
With the school-based and personal revisions of the student, they can boost their chances of getting high scores on the exams.
Providing Support During Your Child’s O-Level Exam Preparation
As a parent, you can also help your children prepare sufficiently for their O-Level exams.
Below are some useful tips you can follow to provide your children the support they need as they prepare for O-Level exams:
1. Tell your child to not be afraid of the O-Level exams.
Many students tend to worry too much about O-Level exams that their fears stop them from preparing and revising for them adequately.
Whether your child is exhibiting anxieties regarding the upcoming tests or not, you would do well to sit down and talk with them about these exams in advance.
Ask your child about what they’re worried about regarding the examination. Listen to what they say and assuage their doubts, but don’t dismiss their fears.
An easy way to start helping your child overcome their worries is to explain to them that the exams they will take cover topics they’ve already learned about. Because of this, they can have an easier time reviewing and applying what they’ve learned.
Moreover, assure your child that you will give them all the support they need and that their teachers and counsellors will also help them with the entire preparation process.
2. Help your child create their study plan.
Students preparing for any major exam need to set their study goals months before test day.
This is a crucial step learners have to take to ensure they create a realistic and effective study plan.
Your child’s study plan should allow them to review all the topics covered in the exams but must also be in line with their regular studies and other activities.
If your young learner is studying their options for their internships in Dubai for students, ensure this is included in their schedule.
Create your child’s study plan electronically, print it out and put it somewhere it can be seen easily so that both of you can keep an eye on it and refer to it every day.
You can also save this study plan electronically on your learner’s computer and mobile device so that they can get alerts and be notified when it’s time for their revision.
Make sure this study plan enables your little one to put more time into reviewing subjects and topics they find hard so they can concentrate on those areas.
3. Ensure your child’s study routine is working for them.
Once your child has a study schedule, help them follow it.
Remind your little one to follow their plan diligently, which means they should start and end their self-study sessions at home on the dot. If they are taking revision classes at school or with a private tutor, make sure they attend those.
Encourage your child to eliminate distractions while studying at home. This means turning off their smartphone, tablet or laptop and placing those outside the room.
Remind them to avoid turning on the TV, if they have one in their room, while they are studying.
If your child needs help understanding certain subjects or topics, offer to research these so they have additional materials to read.
Help your young learner stay on top of their studies by giving them healthy and delicious snacks and meals that can provide them with the energy they need to go about their days.
Lastly, regularly check your little one’s progress and talk with them about any difficulties they are experiencing. If they have problems sticking to their study schedule, modify it with them to ensure they’re putting in enough time reviewing for their O-Level tests.
4. Teach your child to make cheat sheets.
If your child’s teachers or O-Level tutor has not taught them about creating cheat sheets, teach them how to make those.
Cheat sheets are a concise set of notes used for easy reference. To create one, have your young learner write on paper all the vital information from a subject or topic they are learning. These can include formulas, historical dates and definitions of concepts or theories.
Studies show that writing down information can help you remember them later on. With these cheat sheets, your child will have an easier time recalling details during the exams and they have something they can read and review quickly while revising.
These cheat sheets will also come in handy during their last-minute exam preparation.
5. Reward your child for working hard.
Lastly, asking your child to study all the time can lead to burnout, which won’t do anything good for their exam preparation.
Because of this, ensure your young learner gets enough time to exercise and relax.
Encourage your child to take short walks or bike rides during their study breaks. If they don’t want to exercise in between their revisions, ask them to exercise or relax before or after they go to school.
If your child is into sports or is a member of an athletic club, allow them to continue with their usual activities.
Make sure your child also gets regular breaks during their self-study sessions. Let them take a nap or check their social media feeds for 30 minutes after hours of studying.
Additionally, reward them constantly with their favourite snacks or beverages so they’ll be more motivated to study.
There are many things you can do to help your child prepare for their O-Level exams.
Start with these tips and you can ensure they’ll fulfil their study goals and increase their chances of performing their best on test day.