How To Revise For Your 11 Or 13

IB Pros Blog
October 3, 2023
How To Revise For Your 11 Or 13

Revising for the 11+ or 13+ exams in the UK can be a challenge, especially for international students. However, with thorough preparation and familiarity with the exam format, international students can perform well.

This article aims to provide valuable tips and resources to help international students succeed in these exams. The English paper requires a deep understanding of the author's intended meaning, while the Maths topics are usually familiar, but Sequences/Series can pose difficulties. It is important to demonstrate the working process in Maths exams.

Key resources for preparation include past papers, similar entrance papers, SAT books, and online resources for Maths practice. Assessing strengths and weaknesses through past papers and theory practice is crucial, as is building on strengths to maximize scores.

Additionally, the article will discuss exam techniques, timing, speed, and the importance of staying calm during exams. Sharing key ideas or learnings with family can also aid memory retention. Lastly, it is important to note that the preparation time for school exams may vary for each student, and school-specific tests may focus on different areas in Maths and have varying texts for English.

Key Takeaways

  • Thorough preparation and familiarity with the exam format is crucial for international students to score well in UK common entrance exams like 11+ or 13+.
  • Understanding the author's intended meaning is important for performing well in the English paper.
  • Maths topics in the exams are usually familiar, but Sequences/Series can be more challenging.
  • Showing the working process and reasoning is essential in Maths exams.

Tips for International Students

International students preparing for UK common entrance exams like the 11+ or 13+ can improve their chances of success by thoroughly preparing and familiarizing themselves with the exam format, utilizing key resources such as past papers and similar entrance papers, and assessing their strengths and weaknesses through practice.

The English paper in these exams requires understanding the author's intended meaning, while the math topics are usually familiar, with the exception of Sequences/Series which can be more challenging. It is important for students to show their working process in math exams.

To prepare, students can use SAT books and online resources for math practice, and analyze similar texts or poems for English. It is also helpful to review exam techniques, timing, speed, and staying calm. Sharing key ideas or learnings with family can aid memory.

Each student's preparation time may vary, and more practice reduces the need for tutoring. It is worth noting that school-specific tests may focus on different areas in math and have varying texts for English.

Key Resources for Preparation

One essential aspect of preparation is familiarizing oneself with key resources such as past papers and similar entrance papers. These resources provide valuable insight into the format, structure, and content of the exams.

To maximize preparation, international students can utilize the following key resources:

  • Past papers: These are previous exam papers that allow students to practice answering questions in the same format as the actual exams. They help students understand the types of questions that may be asked and improve their time management skills.
  • Similar entrance papers: These papers are designed to simulate the actual entrance exams. They provide students with additional practice and help them become familiar with the style and difficulty level of the questions.
  • SAT books and online resources: These resources provide comprehensive coverage of the math topics tested in the exams. They offer practice questions, explanations, and strategies to improve performance.
  • Theory practice: In addition to practicing past papers and similar entrance papers, it is important for students to revise the theory behind the topics. This can be done through textbooks, revision guides, and online resources.

By utilizing these key resources, international students can enhance their preparation and increase their chances of success in the 11+ or 13+ exams.

Exam Techniques and Strategies

To improve performance in the 11+ or 13+ exams, it is essential to employ effective exam techniques and strategies.

Firstly, it is crucial to familiarize oneself with the exam format and timing. Practicing past papers and similar entrance papers can help students understand the types of questions and the expected level of difficulty.

Additionally, time management is key during the exams. Students should allocate appropriate time for each question, ensuring that they do not spend too much time on one question and neglect others.

Moreover, showing the working process is important in maths exams. Clearly demonstrating the steps taken to arrive at the answer can help maximize scores, even if the final answer is incorrect.

Lastly, maintaining a calm and focused mindset throughout the exam is vital to avoid unnecessary errors and perform to the best of one's ability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, preparing for the 11+ or 13+ exams in the UK can be a challenging task, especially for international students. However, with thorough preparation and the use of key resources such as past papers and SAT books, students can improve their performance.

It is important to assess strengths and weaknesses, practice exam techniques, and manage time effectively. Sharing key ideas and learnings with family can also aid in memory retention.

Each student's preparation time may vary, and it is crucial to understand the specific focus areas of school-specific tests. Overall, with the right strategies and preparation, international students can excel in these exams.

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