Day: September 20, 2022

Does your child demonstrate excellent maths aptitude in their schoolwork but fail to perform well during their exams? In that case, they may be dealing with the dreaded silent killer we term careless mistakes.

For your child, nothing is more frustrating than losing precious marks due to a careless mistake, especially when they have studied diligently for the test. Equally, as their parent, you are also anxious since you do not want your child’s hard work to be wasted.

So is there a way for students to avoid careless mistakes during their maths exams? The answer is a resounding yes! Read on to learn how you can help your child avoid these dreaded errors during their exams, perhaps turning their ‘B’ into an ‘A’.

Tip #1: Practice makes perfect

Learning maths is a lot like riding a bicycle; it is about repetition. This is why our tutors always emphasise the importance of regular practice to the students attending our O-level maths tuition classes. When your child practises their maths skills regularly, the concepts and methodologies are reinforced in their brain, allowing them to recall their knowledge during exams better.

By providing your child with periodic assessments, they improve their skills at solving the common maths problems that appear during their exams, increasing their chances of scoring an ‘A’. Furthermore, it allows them to identify the common mistakes they make during practice so that they can avoid making the same errors during a test.

Tip #2: Ensure your child’s handwriting is legible

It is natural for your child to feel like they are racing against the clock when taking their maths test. In their rush, they may end up scribbling their calculations on their exam paper. Subsequently, when they move on to the next step, they misread their previous computation, leading to a careless mistake.

In fact, this is an error that our tutors frequently notice when they review their students’ work. Therefore, we always advise students attending our O-level maths tuition classes to maintain legible handwriting – whether it is for their schoolwork or during an exam. This is also for the examiner’s sake. If they cannot comprehend a student’s handwriting, they cannot award method marks even if it is applicable.

Tip #3: Advise your child to check their work regularly

When students rush through their maths papers, they increase their chances of making careless mistakes. Therefore, we always advise the students attending our O-level maths tuition lessons to check their work after completing the exam questions. And this advice is something your child should keep in mind as well.

Doing so can help eliminate many common careless mistakes. For example, many students make the rudimentary error of failing to present the correct unit of measurement stated in an exam question. If the maths problem requires students to convert their answers from litre to millilitre, failing to comply with this requirement will cost your child precious marks. Such mistakes are easily identifiable upon a review.

Tip #4: Avoid skipping too many steps at once

In their rush to solve a problem, many students opt to use mental arithmetic rather than write everything down on the exam paper to save time. However, it is easy to make a mistake or lose focus midway through one’s calculation, especially if the problem involves multiple steps and equations.

Our tutors do not recommend that the students attending our O-level maths tuition lessons attempt mental arithmetic during exams. Instead, we always advise them to write everything down on the exam paper, even for simple calculations. This also makes it easier for them to check their work and see if their answers add up since every step is meticulously jotted down for reference.

At the end of the day, your child can attend their O-level maths tuition classes diligently and still obtain a poor grade due to careless mistakes. Therefore, it is essential for you to instil in your child a habit of checking their work. Eventually, this routine becomes second nature to your child, which will hopefully minimise the number of careless mistakes they make in their maths tests.

However, eliminating careless mistakes is only one-half of the equation. Your child still requires a deep understanding of the maths syllabus to do well in their exams. If you notice that your child is struggling with the subject, do not hesitate to enrol them in our tuition centre.

At Studious Minds, we offer a comprehensive O-level maths tuition programme in Singapore, covering every level of secondary school maths, including O-level A maths tuition. Do not hesitate to contact us today to enquire about our class schedules.

It is natural for parents to want their children to succeed in everything they do, especially at school. After all, academic results are often seen as a crucial indicator of success. Your child might even have expectations of how well they should perform during their O-level chemistry exam. While these expectations are well-intentioned, they can place additional pressure on your child.

When your child fails to live up to these expectations, they may feel like they have let you down. As a result, they get distraught and place added stress on themselves, which can have negative consequences. When this happens, you should step in as a parent to comfort and support them.

Why parental support is essential in a child’s learning journey

Learning extends beyond the classroom. With your support and guidance, your child develops a strong understanding of the curriculum, helping them better prepare for their exams. Of course, our education curricula are constantly evolving. What we learned in our school years may not apply to our children’s education. So if you are unfamiliar with your child’s study materials, you can offer support in other forms. For example, if your child is struggling with their O-level chemistry, you can enrol them in O-level chemistry tuition to brush up on their fundamentals.

Your unconditional support – whatever form it may take – is essential in helping your child develop a positive attitude towards learning. When your child is eager to learn, they are more likely to demonstrate self-discipline and dedicate their time to revisions without your reminders. Your child’s self-esteem is also bolstered when they understand you will be there for them when they require your support.

How can I help my child cope with poor exam performance?

1. Remain calm and objective

Some parents associate poor test results with a lack of dedication or poor application. However, that may not always be the case. Factors, including test anxiety, poor understanding of the subject, and stress, can contribute to poor exam performance. Therefore, you should speak with your child to discover the reasons for their poor results.

It is essential for you to remain calm and objective during the conversation. Reacting negatively to your child’s poor performance can affect their self-worth. Harsh words and criticism will only make your child more reluctant to talk to you. Instead, let them know that while you disapprove of their poor grade, you still love them very much and want to help them perform better. This way, you foster a positive environment where your child feels comfortable approaching you for anything.

2. Set reasonable expectations for your child

Everyone is unique, and not every child has a natural aptitude for chemistry. Therefore, it is crucial for you to understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses and set realistic expectations accordingly. This places less pressure on your child.

For example, if your child struggles with O-level chemistry, you should be realistic and not expect them to score an ‘A’ for every chemistry test. Nevertheless, you should still encourage them to try their best to obtain a good grade.

Additionally, never compare your child’s exam performance with their classmates. Doing so only results in poor self-esteem. Place yourself in their shoes. Would you like it if your child compared you to other parents? Of course not!

3. Help your child develop good study habits

Is your child obtaining poor grades despite their constant revisions? In that case, you might want to monitor how they approach their studies. Are they constantly drifting off in the midst of their study sessions? Or perhaps the mnemonic techniques they utilise to remember their O-level chemistry formulas are not working? If so, a change in study routine or approach may yield better results.

However, it is also essential to strike a balance between study and leisure time. Spending too much time on their studies can have the opposite effect on your child, as fatigue makes it challenging for them to absorb the material. Your child should also avoid burning the midnight oil, especially the night before their exams. Instead, they should head to bed early to ensure they are well rested for their tests. A good breakfast is also recommended to get the brain working at its peak.

At the end of the day, your child should understand that their exam results are not the be-all and end-all of their existence. This mentality will only place unnecessary pressure on themselves. Let your child know that while you wish for them to succeed in their studies, failure does not diminish your love for them.

Your support can also come in various forms. If you notice your child is struggling with a particular chemistry topic, you can consider enrolling them in secondary chemistry tuition classes in Singapore. A reliable tuition centre, like Studious Minds, can provide your child with the guidance they need to ace their chemistry exams. Do not hesitate to contact us today if you are interested to learn more about our programmes, including IB chemistry and O-level chemistry tuition.