1. Kirkwall Grammar School
Raising Attainment
How to help your child prepare for the SQA examinations.

2. Assessment Arrangements
Higher / Intermediate 2 / Intermediate 1
Unit Assessments (NABs).
Final Examination
Nationals
Unit Assessments (UASPs)
Final Examination for N5
All Unit Assessments
Usually internally assessed
Must pass these for final full award
Only two attempts permitted per assessment
If preparing for re-sit ; pupils should take responsibility for finding out when, where and what needs to be done to improve and to pass

3. Now for ideas of ways that you can support your son or daughter in the run up to exams.

4. Study Timetable
Time for pupils to take stock of what they know and what they don’t.
Time to plan for and prepare for exams

5. Study/ Homework Planning
What are essential commitments?
When is there free time?
School / hobbies / paid work* / socialising / family / homework / studying / rest / Study Support / more rest

6. Can they do it all? (Yes!)
Help the student to divide up the day into sections eg morning / afternoon / after school / evening.
Draw up a timetable (proforma on SQA website and there is an ‘App’ for that!).
Fill in the essential activities.
If there is no time for study - think about priorities.

7. Encourage students to use the supports provided
Teachers
Course Outlines
Textbooks
Notes
Websites
Facebook/ Blogs (Subject related!)
Study Guides
SQA / Education Scotland/ Parent Zone

8. Work with friends – testing each other.
Remember repetition / ongoing revision/ going back to basics if necessary
Use past papers - but cleverly
Look at questions and analyse what is being asked
Use exam timing.
books

9. Help students prioritise to achieve
Minimum of 2 hours per subject per week
Most likely that will only cover homework and other essential work.
Use even little bits of time (on the bus? Walking to school?)
Real study takes time.

10. Scholar – what is it?
Scholar is Heriot Watt University’s world famous on line support.
Scholar log in and password - from your class teacher.

11. Scholar Subject Areas
Sciences
Mathematics
Business
Languages

12. What does Scholar offer?
Comprehensive online interactive learning materials, activities, assessments and revision packs.
The learning platform gives access to online communities, resources, monitoring information and information tools.
Study guides which contain key reference materials and learning activities.
Tutor notes with valuable curriculum and planning information.

13. Education Scotland Parentzone
Your child at school
Curriculum for Excellence
Get involved
Supporting learning at home
Additional support needs
Resources for parents

14. Different ways to study (We don’t all learn the same way!)
Write out what has been covered in lessons and what is needed for Prelim.
Read textbooks and take notes
Re-write notes from jotters
Write shortened note forms
Practise remembering ** facts

15. Parents – encourage students to choose the way that suits them.
Students can:
Rewrite notes for each subject; record on MP3 player/ Ipod ….
Post-it notes on walls / pin boards
Devise wall charts
Draw mind maps

16. Parents: you can help! A quiet place to study Regular Study Times
Take breaks (15 minutes in every hour suits some)
Health and Wellbeing
Feed regularly – good fresh food
Sleep regularly
Fresh air and exercise

17. Be there for them!
Coax, cajole, persuade.
Keep calm and encouraging.
They will do you and, most importantly, themselves proud.