Grade Transformation Blog

Grade Transformation Blog

No.1 in Transforming Students’ Grades

Essays in Exams

Let’s talk essays for a moment, shall we?

We often think of them as long drawn out tasks, slaved over for days (sometimes weeks).

Cue all the false starts,
finding quotes,
writing drafts,
trying not to waffle,
including stuff we know they didn’t ask for just because it sounds good,
(missing stuff they DID ask for, but not realising it),
wondering whether a snack would help ;),
realising you’re way over the word count and trying to figure out what to cut without losing marks,
OR realising you’re way under the word count and wondering what on earth you could add without waffling or repeating yourself,
handing in a draft,
being told you’ve missed the point somewhere or need to ‘add more detail’,
eating all the snacks,
hours of editing (or total re-writing),
finally handing in with fingers crossed and a whole lot of hope that it comes back with a good mark.

(FYI – ‘hope’ is not a proven strategy) ?

But of course, essays come up in exams too.

With a whole lotta marks allocated.
And very little time to do ’em in!

In the video I explain the critical step
(and IS a proven strategy that works in EVERY subject, for EVERY type of essay question)
your teen needs to do before they write ANYTHING:

And as a thank you gift during this runway to my next 10WGT enrolment, right now you can get my
​Essay Title Swipe File with my 2-step Topic and Focus system
(+ bonus explanatory video!)
for your teen for free!

Here’s how:

1) Share the invite to the webinar:
Skyrocket YOUR Teen’s Exam Results and Confidence
on your Facebook page:

​www.gradetransformation.com/webinar

2) Take a screenshot of your share.

3) Email your screenshot to:

support@rocksolidstudy.com

I’ll email you the swipe file AND the video within 12 hours!

 

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WHY they leave assignments to the last minute (and no amount of nagging will fix it) ;)

“My daughter constantly leave everything to the last minute. Then assignments become a panic and she often doesn’t end up submitting her best work. It’s so frustrating. What do you suggest to help her manage her time better and get things started well before the deadline?”

Here’s the thing:
Often it isn’t about time management at all.

Here are the 3 REAL root causes of procrastination
(or a lack of motivation, or whatever you call it!)
that need to be addressed first
and  – important! – why no amount of nagging will solve them.

 

 

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How to choose ATAR subjects

Many students get caught up with the weighting and scaling guessing game

and end up forgetting the first consideration

and then next two factors

they need to think about when choosing their ATAR subjects.

 

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How to make Y10 count! (Important for ANY year from Y9-12!)

Does Y10 feel like a bit of an in-between kinda year?

There’s something super-important that can be done in this year group
(or ANY year group from Y9-12. It’s a must-do at some point in that time!)

This will boost your teen’s results and confidence… and (another ;)) super-important point to note:
It’s never too late to do this, even if they’re in Y11 or 12 already.

Yours,

Katie

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Tips for slow processing students

I feel it’s important to open this by stating that I’m not qualified in or have specialist training in specific learning difficulties.
I’ve taught students with a wide variety of learning challenges and adapted my teaching to aid and support them through professional development for teachers and guidance from other experts and specialists in this field.
So, I’m sharing tips based on my experience of working with education specialists, students and their parents in these ways 🙂

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Online revision tools – are they any good?

There are so many more options available to students as ways to study and revise these days.

Hence the great Q this week which asks:
“Is Anki a good revision tool to use?”

(My teacher brain reeeeally wants to add ‘Explain your answer.‘ onto the end of that!) ?

Whether your teen uses Anki, or you’ve never even heard of it…
I explain all and dissect the pro’s and con’s (including a couple of must-do’s and must-NOT-do!) that you can apply to ANY revision tool or strategy – digital or otherwise.

Want more tips on revision and exams?
Click those tags on the menu to the right of this blog page 🙂

Yours,
Katie

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Essays – Avoiding the waffle zone!

Have you ever proof-read one of your teen’s essays and felt that sinking feeling as you realise you are reading the same thing over and over?
If your son or daughter has a tendency to slip into the waffle zone when writing essays then this video is definitely for you.

P.S.
To get your copy of my Essay Title Swipe File,
simply share this link www.rocksolidstudy.com
on your social media and send a screenshot of your share to:
support@rocksolidstudy.com

 

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FREE exam style Qs and practise papers for Y9-12

Your teen wants to practise for an exam, but…

They’ve exhausted the revision questions given by their teacher.

The online and text book questions are okay for learning, but not quite the same as exams.

They’re not in Y12 so can’t really use the exam board past papers.
Or maybe they are in Y12, but their syllabus changed so they don’t have many past years to work from.

So, where can they find a treasure trove of untapped test papers and exam style questions?

Here are a few places to go* to find them for your teen’s specific subjects and year group.

* I’ve put in some direct weblinks in the P.S.

 

P.S. Here are a few direct links to get you going… but please watch the video to find out which ones are relevant to YOUR teen and where they’re at in their study.

School Certificate Past Papers : Humanities

GCSE exams (foundation and higher tier)

ATAR exams – see each state exam board (10WGT and Next Level Coaching members have direct links to all these with past papers, mark schemes and Chief Examiner reports in the Study Vault)

A’Level exams (AS = Y11, A2 = Y12 equivalent)

P.P.S. BONUS! Not mentioned in the video:
IB Past Papers

 

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How long should my teen spend studying each evening in Y11 +12?

HINT: The answer is NOT a number.
Watch the video to find out how your teen should be planning their study time instead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How to select a great tutor (but do you even need one?)

If you’ve ever:
– Considered getting a tutor for your teen, but not sure how much it will help (there’s one question to ask yourself/your teen)

– Wanted to know what to look for in a tutor (I’ll give you 3 key qualities)

– Previously had a tutor for your teen, but didn’t get the outcomes or results you’d hoped for (the reason may well be simple – and fixable!) 

then this video is for you!

 

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