Tips for tackling the matric exam challenge

test time: Students writing their matric exams at the Sena-Marena High School in Soweto. In order to reduce exam anxiety, pupils should commit to a structured exam revision schedule and not start relaxing until the very last paper has been written. Picture: Chris Collingridge

test time: Students writing their matric exams at the Sena-Marena High School in Soweto. In order to reduce exam anxiety, pupils should commit to a structured exam revision schedule and not start relaxing until the very last paper has been written. Picture: Chris Collingridge

Published Oct 13, 2014

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Cape Town - The final countdown for the matric class of 2014 has begun, with only days to go before they start their all-important final exams.

Western Cape Education spokeswoman Millicent Merton urges all matrics to use their results in the September “mock exams” to identify their individual weaknesses and strengths.

Matrics should focus on the subject areas that are weak, and brush up on areas in which they know they can perform better, says Merton.

 

“We do encourage all our Grade 12 learners to make use of any available time to revise and learn… good preparation will help reduce exam anxiety.”

Also on offer for pupils who feel overwhelmed and anxious are school psychologists and social workers in every district, who are on standby to provide counselling. These services can be accessed by speaking to the school principal.

While matrics are near to the end, it’s still critical that they devise a strategy to assist them in preparing for the biggest test of their school careers.

Dr Felicity Coughlan, the director of the Independent Institute of Education, says having a plan allows pupils to focus on the content of their work, rather than the mechanics of mastering the work.

“It is so important at this stage to clear your mind and programme of any issues that could distract you from optimal learning. Banish procrastination immediately, and make use of every available hour, she says.

Coughlan adds that, at the end of these few weeks of preparation, matrics will be thankful when they’re able to enter an exam room cool, calm, collected and in charge of the subject.

She says everyone preparing to sit final exams this year will do well to follow a simple five-step plan which will set them on their path to their best performance.

l Organise yourself, your time and your work. Having a neat working environment and a clear plan for what you need to do every day, as well as having the relevant materials at hand, will go a long way towards reducing anxiety.

l Prepare. Look at all your subjects and the material you need to study. Make sure you have not forgotten anything. Once you know what you have to work with and what you need to get through, you can better sort your planning.

l Plan. Draw up a study roster which allows time for a second round of revision. Your planning should include writing past papers and answering example questions. When studying, use visualisation methods such as colour and mind maps, which allow you to use more of your brain. Also practise by answering questions or telling friends and relatives about your work. It is not until you’ve tried to explain what you know that you can assess if you know enough.

l Health and well-being. Refresh by making sure you are eating, sleeping and exercising enough – but do not use these activities as a reason to procrastinate.

l Focus. You should be devoting all your energy and attention to one of the most important examinations you will ever write. There will be plenty of time for parties and chilling once you’re done.

Coughlan warns pupils to be ready to push through to the end, and not to start relaxing until the very last paper is written. She says that each paper, even the easier ones, count.

“The end of November will arrive in due course, and with it the end of your school career. But right now the only thing that should matter is that you earn the very best marks you can right until you put down your pen after writing your last paper. After you’ve put in your best effort, you will really deserve your new freedom and enjoy it more,” she says.

l Pupils can phone the Safe Schools call centre if they need to talk about their anxiety on the toll-free number: 0800 45 46 47. A number of study resources are available from:http://wced.pgwc.gov.za/documents/Matric2014/matric2014-n/index.html

 

 

Pupils can access a ‘virtual school’ on their cellphones

Extra classes are a luxury for schoolchildren who must walk long distances in rural areas, or those who risk getting caught in the crossfire in gang-ridden communities.

But the launch of a new app may give these children the advantage of access to teachers, classmates and the department without endangering their lives.

Ukufunda Virtual School, an initiative by Mxit Reach, was launched in Cape Town last week. Its motto is “education is our daily bread”.

The app is the brainchild of Mbuyiselo Ndlovu. Raised in rural KwaZulu-Natal, Ndlovu, 26, walked for an hour a day to get to his school – which is still without electricity.

Extra classes in the evening meant he would walk home around 10pm.

It was with this in mind that he built the app, in partnership with Unicef and the Department of Basic Education.

There are three aspects to the virtual school: teachers, pupils and parents.

Teachers are able to register and receive communiqués from principals, fellow teachers at their school or the department, speak to registered parents, and create discussion threads for their class.

The app is not meant to replace classrooms, but to provide additional support.

Pupils will have access to their teachers, classmates and other educational resources. These include counselling services, study material and access to important exam dates on the calendar service.

Mxit Reach spokeswoman Lea-Ann Moses-Magerman says for a start they are hoping to reach 10 million registered pupils, teachers and parents.

“It’s important to learners because it puts educational content and psycho-social support services such as Angel and loveLife counselling within reach of every learner in the country.

Ukufunda can be downloaded on to any device with internet access.

While many people access the internet using their cellphones, data costs are still high. But because of its data-light technology, Cell C users can access the app for free, while users of other networks will pay about 15c an hour.

The content and services are free.

 

Minimum requirements

The minimum requirements to pass matric are:

l Home language: 40 percent

l Two other subjects: 40 percent

l Three other subjects: 30 percent

 

Apply for a government loan or bursary to fund studies

Based on financial need or academic merit, you can apply for a bursary, student loan or financial assistance.

l The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government loan scheme, with the added incentive of a part conversion to a bursary (maximum 40 percent), depending on academic performance. Most students are offered an NSFAS loan as part of the financial assistance package. The loan is repayable once the student is no longer a full-time registered student and is employed.

l Bursaries from the National Skills Fund are available for students with a study focus in a scarce skills area. Universities decide who gets these bursaries.

l Full-cost Funza Lushaka bursaries are available to enable eligible students to complete a full teaching qualification in an area of national priority. Recipients of these bursaries will be required to teach at a public school for the same number of years that they receive the bursary.

l FET College Bursaries for the National Certificate (Vocational) and certain National Technical Education Diploma (Nated) courses are available.

Cape Argus

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