I am sure we have all heard of the phrase "Flop the Mock". This is a very apt expression for entrance exams. Sitting formal exams at any age is nerve racking and although we look calm on the outside we can be completely different inside. Imagine being a child and sitting a formal exam. If you are 7 or 11 this is an extremely challenging and alien environment. Children need to be prepared. Most will "flop" the first few mocks. However, like with everything, the more they practice the better they become. Their confidence will grow and they will develop exams skills alongside their academic skills . Never underestimate the importance of exam technique. Before sitting any type of mock it is essential that children are taken through a "walking , talking mock". This is when we take a child through an exam, explaining what they need to do in each section. How to turn the pages without missing any out ( a common mistake), where to do their working out, how to use a separate answer sheet carefully. This is the exam technique which is critical to success, skills alone are not enough. 

 

There are two ways to sit a mock exam.

*This can be done at home. There are a vast number of mocks you can purchase and practice at home. remember to buy an exam which is  in the correct format for your target schools. Sitting mocks at home is an excellent way to introduce your child to an "exam" in a familiar, relaxing and safe environment.

*The other route is a group mock by a independent provider. Again, ensure the format is a match to your target schools. The advantage of independent mocks is you will have a larger group of children attending and you will be able to bench mark your child against other students who are potentially sitting the same exams. Group mocks can be completed online or in person. 

Whichever route you decide to take ( many do both), the most important thing is after the mock. ALWAYS go through the paper with your child. Review the mistakes and talk about how and why this  happened. This will help to prevent the same mistakes being repeated. This is time consuming and often takes longer than the actual mock. However the benefits are endless.