5 Valuable Time Management Tips To Help Your Child Excel In Their Exams

Let's look at a typical situation at home. The annual examination has just begun, and all the children are diligently preparing for it. Your child has made a schedule and diligently finishes revising for the exams. She seems well-prepared and confident about facing the big day.

However, on D-Day, catastrophe strikes. The question paper is lengthy, and she can't finish writing all the answers. Moreover, she misinterprets some questions in the rush to finish on time.

Isn't this a familiar scenario for many parents? Does it seem that some children, however hard-working and prepared, lose out during exams because time runs out? The biggest problem here is ineffective time management. But it need not be difficult if you help your child follow a few simple rules.

Here are some valuable time management tips and tricks:

Building time management skills before the exams

1. Develop a study schedule: It is important to plan well and be organized before the exams start. Methodically preparing for the test rules out last-minute glitches and uncertainty. Following a study schedule ensures that adequate time is given for learning each lesson and subject. Check how many days are available and chalk out the plan accordingly. Make a timetable and mark the hours needed for each lesson.
2. Be aware of the question paper format: It helps to know what the question paper will look like and how the marks are distributed among the questions. Most textbooks have model question papers or are easily available online. These are useful for practicing the previous year's questions and planning your strategy/approach to solving the paper. So, your child will know which answers need more time and which ones can be completed quickly.
3. Practice writing quickly: If your child is not used to writing fast, they might find it difficult to do so in the exams. Ensure that they practice writing fast, neatly and legibly. Untidy and illegible handwriting runs the risk of losing a few marks. Help your child choose the right writing instruments and let them practice writing with them. The pen/pencil should be smooth and comfortable. Also, use a timer to help your child improve their writing speed.
4. Use mock tests for practice: One way to ensure that your child builds confidence is to simulate the exam at home, multiple times. Let them solve the previous year's papers within the time limit set for the actual examination. This will help them plan their time for reviewing the question paper, writing the answers, and revising the answer script.
5. Check the stationery: Before leaving for the exam have your child check if they have all the required stationery. Faulty pens and borrowing stationery cause a waste of precious time.

Time management skills during the exams

1. Read the question paper carefully: Once inside the exam hall, your child must know how to use simple breathing techniques to keep calm and composed. A calm mind will allow your child to read the questions carefully. Usually, children tend to panic and overlook questions when they run out of time. But when they read the question paper thoroughly, they can divide their time wisely. Students who fare well in tests usually have a set strategy for tackling the questions within the time given and stick to it.
2. Write what you know:  There may be questions for which your child may not know the right answer. Trying to make up some explanation will not fetch more marks and will only be a waste of time. In such a situation, it's best to write only what they know and move on to the next answer.
3. Plan each answer: A planned answer saves much time compared to one written in a haphazard manner. This allows your child to avoid going back and rewriting the answer,  making corrections or later including important points they forgot to write.
4. Ask for extra sheets beforehand: It may be beneficial to collect an answer sheet when the invigilator is near your child. It does save precious seconds.
5. Revise the answer sheets: Practice with your child to be patient rather than be in a hurry to finish the paper. Explain why it's important to go through the entire answer script to ensure they have not missed answering any questions. Also, there is a good chance they may spot some errors that need correction. This is also the time to improve some answers.

Using the simple time management skills given above, your child can easily manage time while writing an examination and come through with flying colors.