PSLE is an important exam, but it needs not
be stressful. Here are few simple strategies that helped us cope with the
stress.
(1) Set a realistic stretched goal at an
early stage
In Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), we
believe that what you think is what you get. Setting a goal will help the mind
to focus. I asked two girls whom I coached in my church this question, "If
you set your goal a year before, and not 3 months before exam, how do you think
your result will be?", both of them affirmatively answered that their
results would have been better. However,
the goal must be in accordance with the child's ability, but it should also be
a stretched one (if the child can cope with the pressure).
Setting goal is not as easy as you may
think. Remember, T-score of 200 means average. Top schools requires at least
260, highest possible score may be 270-280. What does that mean? 260, I would
say easily top 5% or even higher. For average student, a stretch goal may be
210. For those in 5%, perhaps setting a goal of 260 may be appropriate.
(2) Start with the end in mind - choose
your secondary school
Visit potential secondary school that you
like, but let's be realistic with the choices per your kid's ability, but
include also a better school, and a school one rank less. Visiting secondary
school will make the child think. What they really want. I find that visiting
secondary schools often motivate the child to study harder.
(3) Come up with an actionable plan
Knowing your target T-score, and your
desired secondary school will not lead to success. The goal and the desires
must be transformed into an actionable plan.
Decide which subject do you need to focus on and the amount of assessment
books needed. You actionable plan has to be very detailed. For example, if you
plan to let your kid complete Assessment A that has 20 chapters, asked yourself
how much time the child needs to complete each chapter, and how much time
needed. Be realistic, estimate how much time needed to complete the plan. I
will write those down later if I have time. You will find that you have no time
to do all. So, decide well what's needed.
After PSLE exams, many friends without a
child taking PSLE asked me about my kid's T-score as if the T-score has become
a national hobby. I know they asked out of love, out of care, but really it
needs not be like this. To me, the right
measure is whether they have prepared the exam, and completed the actionable
plan explained in (3) above. If we
parent focus merely on preparation, I think the pressure will be taken off
substantially.
