Exam disasters

[harry]

Hi, can anyone help my son with his A levels? I think he may be dyspraxic. Studying maths and sciences. All gobsmacked when he got a U in maths AS and has now got same in physics and chem. Review of maths paper showed he scored highly on some questions but too often made no answer at all and got a zero. Looks like problem understanding the context - what is the question asking? Something does not connect and he is unable to make any attempt at an answer though he knows the relevant info. College has tested for dyslexia (his brother has it plus ADHD) but found nothing to concern them. Am going to talk to them about dyspraxia, though this is less commonly acknowledged I believe. My son has a place at a good uni and has all the ability but he needs to get C grades and this exam problem is going to drastically affect his life unless we can get him help. Does this sound like dyspraxia - and if so, can anything be done to help? As I said, I will discuss with college asap but would value suggestions from anyone here. Thank you.

[Liz944]

Have you tried getting him coaching with someone who is familiar with the exam question set up and then going through past exam papers to make sure that he gets a feel for how the questions are going to be asked.

[caroline]

Hello, My son has recently received three Us at A1. He's had a diagnosis of dyspraxia since the age of 9 and has similar symptoms to you son. I'm just about to write a piece for The Sunday Times about my efforts to get him through A level! Something that has turned the corner a bit for us - It's still early days, but the signs are good - is a tutoring company called Examfox. Specifically gearerd up for kids with learning difficulties. All the tutors are trained in trying to get them to master the things you mention. Dyspraxics typically read the question but don't absorb half the information and so only give half an answer even tho they know the info. My son is going over and over exam questions and how to structure them/understand exactly what is being asked for etc. Hope this is helpful.

CS

[BigRob]

I had exactly the same problem with my A level in maths, I just blanked it in the exam and ended up with about 16%, I forget things very easily when under pressure and I hate exams with a passion. At uni, which was much more relaxed, we did I always do well in coursework when I have the time to plan it and work it out but exams are not good for me.

[NobodyElseWill]

You should definitely practice with questions with him so he understands the fully you can also go on the board's website and find past papers so he's familiar with the layout and timing. I found that when I was doing my exams for my courses last year and it helped. Also tell him to concentrate on the questions that carry the higher marks then he has a better chance of passing.

[Osymandus]

Also we get bored half way through long exams (my Uni Database exam being one maybe writing Elephant feet was a bad idea anyway ). Brilliant for the Times article btw , the more exposure and knowledge out there the better .
Enstien famously was Dyslexic , we could be missing out on mass of talent and knowledge because we can't fit into the method of education we have , not just because we are unable to master the subject.

As already mentioned context is our killer , also we can if misreading a word come up with a completly differnet answer , hence why we normally get an extra 30 mins on exams (mind you we can get bored etc )...

Too good luck and well done.

[littlemissbump14]

Hi,
Firstly, I really hope that you manage to get this sorted out for your son!
I have a dyspexic fried who is allowed someone in the room to read the questions aloud to her. Perhaps this might help? Officially all they can do is read the question, but by putting emphasis on certain key words it can help (her at least) understand what knowledge they are asking her to show. maybe try it at home with homework questions to see what helps? And maybe try and highlih key words from a given topic, eg. tangent, define etc. Basically, buzzwords that could tip him off as to what topic the question is on. If he knows what knowledge they want him demonstrate, (such as, solving a simultaneous equation, if they do that- I didn't sit A-level maths) then it should help him know where to start answering it! If all else fails, just write everything you know about the topic- it's bound to get hom some marks!
Also, the earlier post about focusing on high value questions is good advice. start with the question worth most points and work down.
Possibly try and help him realise this simple fact (if it is a fear of getting it wrong also holding him back)- A blank space is a guarenteed zero marks, totally wrong, ANY writing AT ALL, any guess, has the potential to earn him marks. Maths usually award marks for showing working, not just the right answer!

I really really hope he manages to get this sorted out! If it helps, I know a few people who resat A-levels, even entire years at college as they failed. But once they tried again with different ubjects, that often suited them better, they have gone on to get good jobs or are studying at good universities. It's possible that maths just isn't the right subject for him! (maths and science are well- known for being fiendishly difficult to pass at A-level)

Good luck to you both! Keep us updated
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