Study Skills

Success at Mathematics 9-12 yrs

The course has been developed over the last 15 years, and has evolved out of successful tuition centres which have tutored thousands of children, helping them to pass 11 plus examinations, prepare for SATS tests in year 6 and raise standards in the final year of primary school.

Independent preparation for the 11 plus

The course has been split into learning programmes which engage children to learn and develop skills in key concepts. The key concepts covered will enhance your child’s skills in mathematics in the classroom and for selective examinations. After each learning programme there are practice sessions. These are very important to help to consolidate skills and retain knowledge. Each learning programme should take approximately one hour.

When your child has completed their learning programmes and practice sessions they must move onto the examination section. These should help your child with technique and timing. You can try and perform these under exam conditions, however, remember these are practice and they can be done again. It is a good idea to make a photocopy of these. Practice papers should take approximately one hour. Each examination paper should take one hour.

All learning modules, practice questions and exam papers have answers in the answer booklet. Parents and children must always mark work. Check where your child went wrong, go back and do the module again or practice questions if your child has not understood. This is the beauty of the course, it is at your own pace. It is advisable not to do a learning programme and a practice paper on the same day.

Parents must always be positive and supportive. Learning and achieving is one of the most rewarding experiences of your child’s development, if there are mistakes then deal with them with enthusiasm and reward. All children develop at their own pace, be patient. Remember this course has a proven success rate.

Ensure your child is organised and structured and plan their learning and revision. You must know your childs deadlines and exam dates and make sure they have completed all the course plus the practice questions and exams before the exam. Do not encourage cramming, this course provides a positive learning experience, there is no stress involved.

Guidelines to Home Study

Studying at home

Studying at home is different from school or tuition centres. If you follow a very structured course with guidelines when to study, for how long and when to practice questions and exams, home learning can be one of the most successful forms of learning.

i) You have the comfort of your own home, no traveling or set time periods. What you do have is a surrounding you are comfortable and confident in. It is important to find a quiet, warm and ventilated room, free from distractions but not too isolated from the rest of the family.

ii) You should set up your study bay and leave it there for the following day.

iii) You should try to keep it organised so you look forward to going to work there.

iv) You can place friendly mascots with you, they can be a form of support.

v) Parents can purchase suitable writing equipment and a mathematical geometry set.

This is your childs workplace. It is where they will learn and develop skills. A Place where your child will recognise success and be proud. It is the place where only positive reinforcement belongs.