How Can I Use Quizzes to Help My Child Revise More Easily

When revision becomes a battle

You're not alone if homework time often spirals into frustration. Maybe your child stares blankly at their notes, unsure where to begin. Or they insist they’ve "already studied" but can't remember anything from yesterday's math lesson. You're trying your best to help, but some days it feels like you're stuck in a cycle with no clear way out.

It’s hard—really hard—seeing your child struggle and not knowing how to make learning click for them. You want to guide them without doing the work for them (more on that here), and you want revision to feel less like a chore and more like an empowering routine. This is where quizzes, if done with care and creativity, can come in as unexpected heroes.

Why quizzes work better than re-reading

It might be tempting to have your child read through their notes over and over, but research consistently shows that active recall (like that used in quizzes) is far more effective for memory retention. When your child pulls information from memory, they’re strengthening those neural pathways, making it more likely the knowledge will stick.

The key is making the quizzing feel less like a test and more like a game or a challenge. You’re cultivating confidence, not spotlighting what they don’t know. Even getting a question wrong becomes a learning opportunity rather than a point of shame.

Start small and keep it safe

When children associate quizzes with formal assessments, they can begin to shut down—especially kids who already battle school-related anxiety. That’s why it helps to “rebrand” quizzes at home as playful brain boosters rather than tests. Think of it as inviting your child into a learning game where they’re free to guess, experiment, and laugh.

One mom I know turned their evening walk into quiz time. She’d ask five gentle questions from the day’s lesson. Her daughter, who struggled with traditional homework routines, began to open up as she answered while walking the dog. The movement and informal setting shifted everything.

Make it personal—literally

Personalization is where quizzes really shine. Children are more engaged when they see themselves in the material. If they’re reviewing vocabulary, you can create fill-in-the-blank sentences using their pets’ names. If they’re working on times tables, toss their favorite snack counts into the word problem. Small tweaks spark interest and help abstract concepts feel more tangible.

This is one place where tech can quietly support you. The Sculi App, for example, lets you snap a photo of your child’s school notes and turns it into a personalized 20-question quiz—making it incredibly easy to create custom content in seconds, especially on those nights when your brain just wants to power down.

The quiz doesn’t always look like a quiz

Let go of the rigid format. Sometimes, the best quiz is disguised as a silly challenge: “Bet you can't remember three cool facts about volcanoes before we hit the next traffic light!” Or, “We're making pancakes—can you help me double this recipe in your head?”

In moments like these, you're building what we call "learning muscles": flexible thinking, memory recall, and resilience. These are the same skills kids need not only in school but throughout life. And when you embed quizzes into real-world situations, your child begins to see knowledge as useful, not just school-related.

Timing and consistency matter

Short, daily quizzing works far better than long, stressful cram sessions. Five to ten minutes after dinner. A few questions in the hallway after brushing teeth. You’re not recreating school at home—you’re making learning bite-sized and familiar.

In fact, pairing quizzing with an existing home routine can reduce resistance. The predictability of doing a few mini-quizzes before winding down for bed, for example, gently signals that revision isn’t something scary or hard—it’s just what we do, like brushing our teeth.

When your child gets frustrated

Some children fear being wrong because it feels like failure. If your child shuts down when they miss a question, reassure them that mistakes are part of learning. Say something like, “That’s a tricky one—let's figure it out together,” or “I didn’t know that when I was your age either.”

In moments of frustration, it helps to reframe mistakes as stepping stones. If this resonates with your child’s experience, our article on how to help children learn from their mistakes offers a few gentle tools for navigating those fragile times.

What if I’m not great at explaining things?

You don’t have to be a subject expert to quiz your child. In fact, sometimes pretending not to know gives your child a chance to become the teacher. Ask them to quiz you instead. If they can explain a concept clearly, it’s a strong sign they understand it.

But if either of you hits a roadblock, don't feel stuck. You can always revisit your child’s notes and work through them together. When that’s tricky, this guide on simplifying complex lessons might be helpful. And for days when energy is low, even listening to the lesson together in audio form—say, while folding laundry or driving—can give your child another way in.

Make space for curiosity

At its heart, a good quiz isn’t about right or wrong answers. It’s about curiosity. It’s about helping your child ask questions, test knowledge, laugh at their mistakes, and gradually trust in their ability to learn. And it’s about reminding them, and you, that learning isn’t a sprint. It’s a gentle, winding path you’re walking together.

One more idea? Try our favorite quick-check ritual: before packing up for the day, ask your child, "What stuck with you today?" It’s a simple prompt—but it can spark powerful insights, and even plant the seeds for tomorrow’s quiz.