7 Ways to help children complete question paper
1. Time management
Of all the reasons to dislike exams, there are two parts which almost everybody finds unpleasant. First being the exhaustion from the pressure of performance. Second, realising five minutes before the end of the exam that it could have been better. Is this something a lot of students go through?
Many students, even some really intelligent and talented ones, have a strange enemy. They often find it difficult to complete the paper within the allotted time. They are forced to leave a few questions just because they run out of time. Often it has been found that the questions they leave are those which they otherwise could attempt easily. It can be very disappointing if students are forced to skip such easy questions.
How can situations like these be avoided? How can children stop time from running while in the examination hall? Almost everybody suggests a single tablet for this. ‘Time Management’.
Here are certain tips to teach children to help complete paper well in time.
2. Practice makes children perfect
It’s important children understand the exam they are going to take. Arrange for them to have a look at previous years question papers. This will help them understand how certain question papers are formed. Solving multiple papers in settings and time limit like that in an examination hall will be of great help to them. Pre-planning will strengthen their confidence to attempt the papers.
3. Using first 5 minutes effectively
The best thing to do before attempting a paper is to strategise how to attempt it. In the first 5 minutes of the exam, children should read the question paper. They can then mark the questions into categories as easy, manageable and tough. This will help them gain an overall idea about the question paper and then make a rough plan.
4. Prioritising Attempts
While going through the paper, if the child finds some questions to be complex tell them not to worry. It will only hamper their performance. They should always start with easy questions first. Solving easier questions correctly will help them gain confidence. This way, reaching and attempting difficult questions will be much easier than it seemed.
5. Dividing Time Between Questions
By now they should have an idea of each question’s worth. Once they estimate the time they should spend on every question no time should be wasted. Brooding on a question that won’t fetch them any marks. Instead, it will make them lose important marks for questions left unsolved due to lack of time. They can always come back after they’ve completed the rest of the paper.
6. Ensuring speed and accuracy
Maintaining accuracy while solving questions quickly should be the motto now. They should focus and not get confused between two topics. It’s imperative to implement quicker writing methods now. They also have to be careful with signs and terms used in problems to avoid careless mistakes. They might now not necessarily attempt questions in the order given in the question paper. Hence, it’s important they note down questions carefully in the answer sheets.
7. Keeping an eye on the clock
Keeping an eye on the clock will help them keep a track of time. They should know how much time they have and how many more questions are left. It will help them know if they’re adhering to the time allocation done earlier. A minor variation in the time to each section or question could be done.
8. Avoid thinking about a question too much
It’s important children stay cool and calm to avoid silly mistakes. Wasting too much time on questions before attempting them will make them waste precious time. Once attempted they should move on to the next question and not worry about it. They can always come back for a second review after the entire question paper is solved.
Almost everyone finds exams as unpleasant, but the fact remains they are incredibly important. A two or three-hour time-slot is the only chance to show off everything that’s been learnt over the past year. Most successful students see the task in a more practical light. Exams can be less frightening when combined with good strategies to handle time pressure and by knowing stuff beforehand. But it’s just as much about working efficiently and in an organised way. Let them know, “Unfinished paper isn’t a failure, it is an unfinished success”.
