How Should You Respond To Underwhelming Mock Exam Results?
The end of the winter term and the start of the spring term are often a time when schools will start to do formal mock exams, not only to test the current progress of students but also ensure they are used to the test environment ahead of the final tests.
Despite this, an unexpectedly poor grade or underwhelming result can be absolutely devastating for your child.
As a parent or guardian, it is essential to handle this disappointment with empathy, to ensure that a setback can be turned into an opportunity to grow.
Here are some tips for ways to respond, and how a homeschool tutor can help.
Do Not Panic
Many, if not most, people will have a poor mock exam, but panicking is not only unnecessary, but it is unhelpful.
By their very nature, mock exams do not count towards your final grade, so focus less on the final result and examine where you have room to improve.
Explore Both Mistakes And Successes When Debriefing
Take an even-handed approach to your post-examination debriefing session; what did your child feel most confident with? What did they get right? What did they struggle with? Where did they lose marks?
The final score is not terribly helpful on its own, but examining how a marker reached it can identify areas of improvement.
Set Realistic Goals
Use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely) structure to set goals when it comes to finding areas for improvement.
For example, set a target for reading notes, or endeavour to do one revision quiz a day, or write an exam-style essay using the point-evidence-explanation technique for each paragraph. A tutor can help with this process by setting goals and keeping students accountable.
Create A Focused Strategy
Look at where you lost the most marks in the test and make them the priority for your revision.
If the issue was a particular subject, target those areas for revision. If the issue was in the examination process itself, do timed quizzes or essays under examination conditions.
Ask For Support
Much like you are there for your child, teachers and tutors are more than happy to provide resources, feedback and study sessions to increase your child’s chances of success.
What Should You Do In Response To A Bad Mock Grade?
- Avoid panicking or feeling overly disappointed.
- Understand what went right and what went wrong.
- Set realistic goals for growth.
- Create a focused strategy for revision.
- Ask for support.
