Home Dyslexia and Other SpLDs Make Study Time Count: Exam Preparation for Children with Dyslexia

Dyslexia and Other SpLDs, Parenting Tips and Techniques

Make Study Time Count: Exam Preparation for Children with Dyslexia

Written by: Reiss Heng, Specialist Psychologist

As the exam season approaches, many parents and educators may ask, “How can we help our children make the most of the time they spend studying?” It can be tempting to ramp up revision schedules and increase study time.

However, for children with learning differences such as dyslexia, simply studying more may not always be the most effective approach. Instead, using exam preparation and revision strategies that suit their learning needs can make revision more purposeful and manageable.

1. Start with smaller revision goals

Large amounts of revision can feel overwhelming. Instead of broad goals such as “revise Mathematics”, break study sessions into smaller tasks. Guide your child to set S.M.A.R.T. goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, “complete 3 problem sums within the next 15 minutes”.

These smaller goals can be organised into a simple revision timetable or visual schedule. Planning revision this way can also encourage shorter, regular study sessions across several days, which can support better retention (Cepeda et al., 2006).

2. Make exam revision active

Revision can be more effective when children actively retrieve and apply what they have learnt (Agarwal et al., 2021). This could include answering practice questions, using flashcards, or teaching a concept to someone else. Multisensory strategies can support learning. For instance, practising spelling by saying the letters aloud while tracing the word in the air. Diagrams and mind maps may also help children organise and recall information.

3. Build an exam game plan

Knowing the content is only part of exam preparation. It may also be helpful to practise skills such as identifying key words in questions, allocating time across sections, and checking written work. For students with approved access arrangements, such as additional time, incorporating them into practice can help make the exam routine more familiar.

4. Celebrate the small wins

Recognising small signs of progress can help children stay motivated. Acknowledging and praising your child’s effort and progress, such as completing a task more independently, can help shift the focus beyond the results alone.

5. Take time to recharge

A well-planned study schedule should leave room for rest and recharge. Maintaining a balanced routine with adequate time for sleep, meals, and hobbies can help children return to revision feeling more focused and ready to learn.

Preparing for exams may look different for every child. By finding strategies that suit their needs, you can help make study time more purposeful and support them in approaching exams with greater confidence. These strategies can also be complemented by targeted intervention to strengthen the skills needed for learning. DAS offers a range of specialised programmes in areas such as literacy, Mathematics, Chinese, and Science. If you are concerned that your child may have a learning difference, you may also consider an assessment with our team of psychologists at the DAS’ SpLD Assessment Services.

References

Agarwal, P. K., Nunes, L. D., & Blunt, J. R. (2021). Retrieval practice consistently benefits student learning: A systematic review of applied research in schools and classrooms. Educational Psychology Review, 33(4), 1409–1453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-021-09595-9 

Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354–380. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.3.354 

Other Post