Trial Tests - Are they Useful?
As a general rule of thumb, mock exam/trial test courses are recommended for students who already have a good grasp on the foundations. However, we suggest all students join a trial test course at least once before the big exam, whether it be a holiday program or regular course that runs during the term. The key reason behind this is that these courses teach test taking skills that students are not exposed to in content focused courses such as our WEMT courses. These skills include:
Working under exam conditions in an unfamiliar environment
Improving speed & accuracy under pressure
Understanding where students are losing marks
Our senior tutor Alex Lu talks more about this based on his experience in the classroom.
“Regardless of student ability, it is essential to attend at least one term of a relevant trial test course to maximise their performance. Our trial test papers accurately reflect the structure, length and content of the real OC and Selective School Placement Tests which put our students under the appropriate amount of time pressure and encourages the development of exam skills.
Exam intelligence, such as prioritising the correct questions, pacing throughout the exam, and guessing techniques are crucial aspects of performing well in high-stakes exams like the OC and Selective Tests. Exam conditions cannot be simulated with practice exams at home, even if it is under timed conditions, due to being in a familiar environment and other distractions.
Unlike the majority of coaching colleges, Alpha One allows students to make notes directly on their test papers and also take home any of our material to solidify their learning. Parents will also receive a comprehensive report, both physical and via email, that helps students identify which questions they answered wrong as well as where their strengths and weaknesses lie in Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking skills.
Students can progress from the WEMT course to the trial test course when their tutor and parents are satisfied that they possess all the foundational skills and knowledge required to complete the test. If parents wish, they can enrol in both our courses concurrently at a discounted rate.”
— Alex Lu, Tutor
Trial tests are vital to nurturing the exam skills, especially with the help of tutors to identify whether students are making mistakes due to things like lack of knowledge, loss of focus or bad time management. This is why we emphasise the importance of attending a trial test course at least once before the Selective and OC Placement Tests as it will help students reach their full potential in the exam.
Interested in attending a trial test course? Book a free trial for our STTC (Selective Trial Test Course) or OCTT (OC Trial Test Course) today!
Originally published 12 June 2021
