The Key Stage 2 SATs exams are a crucial stage for students in the United Kingdom. These exams are taken by students in Year 6 (aged 10-11) and determine their readiness for secondary school. Therefore, it is important for students to have strong exam techniques to perform well in these exams. In this article, we will discuss some techniques to help improve exam performance in KS2 SATs exams.
Top Exam Techniques to Ace Your KS2 SATs Exam 2023?
It is important for students to learn exam techniques while preparing for the SATs. During primary years, students are young. So they need proper guidance to prepare and revise the KS2 SATs exam lessons.
Let’s have a look at the following exam techniques that your child should learn.
Understand the format of the exam
It is important to understand the exam format as it helps you plan your time and approach each section. Ensure you know how many questions are in each section, how much time is allocated to each section, and the types of questions that will be asked.
Practice makes Perfect
Like everything else, practising helps you become better at sitting examinations. Therefore, reviewing and completing SATs practice papers frequently means you'll be able to progress. Nonetheless, students must have proper and expert KS2 SATs guidance 2023 while starting the test preparation. You can find this information on the exam board's website or by talking to the school teacher.
Read the instructions carefully
Misreading instructions can cause students to lose marks unnecessarily. To avoid this, train your child to read the instructions carefully and ensure they understand what is being asked in the SATs.
Practice time management
Time management is crucial in exams. Children should practise taking mock tests under timed conditions to improve their speed and accuracy. Allocate a specific amount of time to each question and move on to the next if you take too long. Remember, it's better to answer all the questions with reasonable accuracy than to leave questions unanswered.
Make a revision plan
You also need to ensure that making a revision plan will help your child cover all the topics tested in the exam. So, allocate more time to topics that your child finds challenging. Ensure your child has enough time to revise all the topics before the exam. Stick to the revision plan and avoid cramming at the last minute.
Get a SATs Tutor
While SATs teachers are accommodating, they must assist all students in preparation for exams. If your child requires additional assistance, you can find help from an expert SATs tutor.
Help Your Child with Time Management
Each exam is time-bound, and if your child isn't adequately prepare, this could be the most stressful element of the KS2 SATs exam preparation. The ability to manage time is vital. So, you should provide your child with practice papers while ensuring timed conditions.
Encourage Your Child to Be Independent
While you want your child to feel motivated and well-prepared for the SATs, you should give them the confidence to stay independent. As they age and become more responsible, they will be able to make careers and pursue what they wish to achieve. Therefore, you need to be encouraging and supportive of your child. However, you must acknowledge whatever they achieve in life.
Improve Problem-solving Skills
You need to work with your child to improve problem-solving skills. Solving different problems and learning to approach them systematically is important for them. So, ask them to read the questions carefully, break them down into smaller, more manageable parts, and use logical reasoning to solve the problem.
Final Thoughts
Although the KS2 SATs exam will not determine your child's future, they are a significant achievement. You and your child must take these tests seriously. So, keep in mind that support and encouragement are crucial during this period.