Your child may be getting ready to sit for the common entrance examination this year to secure a federal government unity college place, it can be a stress-inducing time for them.
And it’s your role as a parent to advise them on how to handle the exam day by giving some tips and guidance, this will make a huge difference in how they perform.
Preparing for the examination starts with reading, revising, and spending time with their home teacher. These will make your child feel confident as they head into the exam. However, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t expect some jitters, which is why you have to play your role by helping prevent some things from happening to your kid on exam day.
In today’s post, we discuss three major things to prevent from happening on your child’s common entrance examination day, but we precede let’s know what this exam is all about and why it’s important.
What is Nigeria Common Entrance Examination (NCEE)?
The Nigerian Common Entrance Examination is an examination taken by children seeking admission into the Junior Secondary School (JSS 1) of any of the Federal Government Unity College in the country.
The subjects taken include:
- English language
- Mathematics
- General science
- Social studies
- Verbal reasoning
- Quantitative reasoning
- Vocational aptitude
So going through these subjects with your kid before the exam day can ensure your child feels confident and know what to do.
3 Things to Prevent From Happening on Your Child’s Common Entrance Day
1. Exam anxiety
Children having exam anxiety is often triggered by their parents’ over-emphasizing the importance of an exam. I know you want your kid to perform in the common entrance examination but making it a do-or-die affair will affect them.
So encourage your child to do their best but remind them that the examination won’t determine their future. Explain to your kid why the test is important but is not a yardstick to measure their intelligence.
Tell your kid that you’ll love and value them no matter their score in the exam. Don’t think they know this but your child wants to hear it. Most times, exam anxiety in children is caused by their desire to please their parents.
As a parent, sit down and explain to your kid that the common entrance examination will provide them the opportunity to school in the best secondary school owned by the federal government.
In order for her to do well in the examination, you need to allow her to be taught by the best teachers and have bright minds as their classmates, which will contribute to their learning and growth.
If you feel anxious about the exam, make sure you calm yourself before trying to help your kid.
2. Arriving late at the exam venue
It’s your duty as a parent to make sure your child arrives at the venue on time. So how do you achieve this?
You have to know the difficulties your child will face when he arrives late. So in the morning, make sure that their usual routine is minimized to make them leave the house earlier.
For example, if he takes too much time getting their school materials in the morning, then ensure they do it in the previous night. It starts with them sleeping on time, this will enable them to have a good night’s rest and wake up on time feeling refreshed and mentally ready for the exam.
3. Fear of the examination
I understand that today’s education systems are designed to exacerbate exam stress, making children break down under this pressure. Also, the big expectation from teachers and parents is making things even worse for them.
So it’s your duty as a parent to keep your child calm and confident by helping them overcome the fear of examination.
‘But how do I do this?’ You ask. Simple. Sufficient preparation is the answer.
If your child has prepared well, they will step into the exam hall confident of doing well. This will make your kid not entertain any fear in their mind.
So, motivate your child by reminding them that preparation is the key to doing well in the common entrance examination. And if you can’t do it then it’s time you speak with one of our tutors to help prepare your child for this year’s common entrance examination and we guarantee you that your child will do well.
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Gloria Elendu
Writer/Educationist
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