How to ensure your child is sticking to their 11+ study schedule

11+ study schedules are a vital tool for children preparing for the 11+ examinations as it gives structure to their revision and allows parents to see which subjects their child will be focusing upon on any given day.

But when it comes to your child sticking to their timetable, how do you know that they're doing the revision they say they are?

Although no parent wants to quiz their offspring too intensely when it comes to their revision, you'll still need to ensure that they're not becoming distracted and are actually carrying out their studies as they should be without accusing them of slacking off. Here are a few tips to help you discover if they are sticking to their study schedule.

Ask leading questions

Instead of just asking if they’ve finished their study session for the day, approach the subject by asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer. For example, ask them what they’ve learnt today or ask them for their opinion on any study tools or textbooks you’ve bought them to help prepare them for their 11+ exams.

If they aren’t particularly forthcoming when it comes to details, then it could be that they’ve been getting distracted and not following through with their study plans.

Talk to their tutor

If you’ve been working with an 11+ tutor to help prepare your child for the 11+ exams, then don’t be afraid to talk to them about any concerns you might have. Your child’s tutor will be able to give you regular updates on your child’s progress and will also share any insights that show if they’ve improved in their subjects.

If your tutor is happy with how your child is improving, then it’s highly likely that they are sticking to their study schedule and you have little to worry about. However, if they feel that progress is slow, you’ll need to have an honest talk with them.

Remove any distractions

Distractions are without a doubt the main reason that your child may not be keeping to their 11+ study schedule. To help them focus on preparing for their exams, remove anything from their designated study space that could cause them to become distracted such as tablets, TVs and computer consoles.

You might even wish to make the space a mobile phone free zone during study time as this will go a long way towards improving concentration and cutting down on distractions.