eromi
Tufted Titmouse
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Joined: Nov 08, 2005
Posts: 49
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 Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 3:50 pm Post subject: REMOVED |
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REMOVED
Last edited by eromi on Sun May 06, 2012 8:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jtuk
Phoenix
Joined: Jan 22, 2012
Posts: 732
Location: Wales, UK
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| Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 4:07 pm Post subject: Re: Not making the grade |
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| eromi wrote: | | I am writing for help in regard my son. He has Aspergers syndrome, although it's not diagnosed. I don't really need that diagnosis. I hope that you can take our word for it. But the problem is trying to help my son get the exam results he deserves. He is very knowledgeable in his subjects, but when it comes to exams he just can't get it across on paper, he got some of the lowest grades in class, this is despite being at private school and having a privater tutor. Is there a technique that anyone has used successfully to get their points down. His exams are in a month or so, GCSE. Any tips would be very gratefully recieved by us. He keeps being told that there's not enough detail to his work. |
Has anyone actually told him how to write an essay? I struggled with that until someone gave me a formula, I was never actually taught this *directly* in school. I just had comments like your son received, ie. show your thinking, more detail, this looks incomplete etc. If someone had spent a lesson or two going over this my exam results may have been completely different.
Jason |
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Kinme
Dinosaurlicious
Joined: Apr 14, 2012
Posts: 3223
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| Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Yeah, structure is definitely helpful with essay writing. I know that helped tremendously when I actually had a pattern to follow. When I didn't, I tended to struggle more with writing. |
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invisibubble
Blue Jay
Joined: Mar 16, 2012
Posts: 84
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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| How does he go pacing himself? I have no concept of time so in perusal time I work out how many questions I have to answer by half-time and then glance up at the clock a fair bit as I go. I could easily get stuck on one question and spend most of the exam time working on it. It's not natural for me to do things out of order so I've had to learn to skip questions that will slow me down and come back to them at the end. Even with these techniques I seem to initially freeze when we are allowed to turn our papers over and always get a pretty slow start - not sure how to sort that one out. |
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Tixylix
Hummingbird
Joined: Apr 30, 2012
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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| It might help to look at the mark schemes for past exam papers if he hasn't done this already, this shows exactly what the examiners are looking for and what details will get marks in an essay. You can download them from the websites of the exam boards, google the name and you should find it. |
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arko5
Raven
Joined: Jul 19, 2010
Age: 24
Posts: 107
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| Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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Does he have the same issues with coursework? It's possible it could be partially due to the environment, either due to distractions (e.g. hearing everyone writing at once if he has any auditory issues) or perhaps just how unusual the situation is (personally I often get more nervous about the exam room layout than the exam itself). If it is due to this and you get a diagnosis you could request suitable accommodations, or alternatively perhaps provide some experience with exam settings.
_________________
Your Aspie score: 146 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 51 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie (confirmed w/ diagnosis) |
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Cornflake
Rattles when shaken
Joined: Oct 31, 2010
Posts: 30377
Location: Hertfordshire, UK
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| Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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[Moved from General Autism Discussion to Parents' Discussion]
_________________
Giraffe: a ruminant with a view. |
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coconapple
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Joined: May 20, 2010
Posts: 63
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NigNag
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Joined: Apr 23, 2012
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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This is always a difficult problem for my son. He spends a lot of time getting used to each instructors expectations and testing styles. By the end of the semester he finally gets it, but the damage has been done.
Some things that have helped us along the way:
1. Asking the instructor to see an old test. So you know what kind of testing structure is going on.
2. Looking at your sons tests to see what areas he is struggling with.
3. Asking the instructor to give more detailed feedback, not enough detail does not explain what parts where missing. Its broad and just useless.
4. Asking for a study guide. This way your son is not wasting time on memorizing useless facts.
5. Asking for the point breakdown of the test. Some tests are all essay, others are mixed. Knowing what sections make up the biggest points of the test can help you decide which things to study for, and what to prepare your son for so the points he does earn count the most (sometimes its just about the math). Ex. My sons math teacher lets them put together a toolbox to use on the tests. I found out, too late of course, that this tool box is worth 10 points on the test and she puts what is supposed to be on it ONLINE. Gesh.. That is a FREE 10 points!!! Other teachers have given them HINTS during class as to what is on the test. Your son may be missing these, so asking the instructor for some extra support may be beneficial.
6. Practice Tests. A LOT of instructors do not let people know there are websites that accompany their text books. These often have practice tests (and depending on the instructor, sometimes they actually USE questions from these practice tests).
7. If the instructor gives a clue to the largest essay that will be on the test (some do, some don't) have him write a practice version at home. I know a LOT of kids who find this to be highly beneficial to them, because in a testing situation they forget things while trying to construct a huge essay.
8. Breaking down study material into smaller chunks of information, and studying them for short periods of time. For instance, if my son has vocab to test, he will study five words for five minutes. Then engage in something he really enjoys. This is repeated over and over again.
9. Find a special place for your son to study. My son, for whatever reason, loves studying in the bathroom with the fan on. So he goes in, turns the fan on , shuts the door and sits there studying. I think its because.... the fan acts as white noise. The room is small. He knows no one can disrupt him, after all a bathroom is a private place no one can invade, right? Find some place like this for your son. |
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