What’s the Best Way to Help My Child Revise Before a Test

You’re Not Alone (And You’re Doing Better Than You Think)

Let’s start here: if you’re reading this, it means you care—a lot. And that counts for more than you realize. Supporting our kids during test season can feel like trying to coax a turtle into sprinting: slow, frustrating, and seemingly impossible some days. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to revision, and especially when your child is between 6 and 12, their needs are as unique as their personalities.

This age range—late primary to early middle school—is a transition zone. Kids are likely to be juggling new concepts, still learning how to learn, and emotionally figuring themselves out. So when test time looms, many kids respond with everything from mild avoidance to full-on panic. And often, parents feel helpless, repeating the same reminders over and over again. (If that sounds familiar, this article might help.)

Start With What They Know—And How They Feel About It

Before diving into the flashcards and practice tests, pause for a quick check-in. Ask your child two simple questions: “What do you feel confident about in this topic?” and “What feels confusing or hard right now?” This not only helps you get a sense of what to focus on, but also teaches your child to reflect on their own learning—a lifelong skill.

Sometimes, kids freeze not because of the content, but because they’re overwhelmed. They might say things like, “I just don’t get anything in science,” when really, it’s one concept that’s tripping them up. In those cases, take a moment to normalize the struggle. “Of course it feels hard—it’s new. Let’s figure it out together.” Confidence often follows clarity.

Make Revision Personal (And Even a Little Fun)

You know your child best. Some kids are visual learners, others are auditory. Some need movement, some need structure. Instead of fighting their nature, work with it.

When my daughter had a big history test last year, I tried something different. Rather than sitting down with a study guide and going over dates and terms until our eyes glazed over, I recorded the key points as a short story. She listened to it each morning on the car ride to school. Not only did it stick, but she started to ask questions about the topic because she found it interesting. It wasn’t magic—it was just storytelling tailored to how her brain works.

That’s why I often recommend turning study material into audio, especially for kids who learn better through listening. Tools like the Sculi App (available on iOS and Android) make this easy: a photo of the lesson can become a quiz, or even an audio adventure where your child stars as the main character. It doesn’t replace parental support, but it definitely reduces the stress and tantrums that can come when revision feels boring or overwhelming.

Structure the Time, Not the Outcome

Setting a timer for fifteen focused minutes, followed by five minutes of break, works brilliantly for many children. It’s the Pomodoro Technique—simple, but effective. The key here is to make the time with you feel supportive, not like another stressor.

You could say something like, “Let’s just try to learn one thing in the next 15 minutes. That’s it.” That small goal helps cut through the fog of overwhelm. Keep things playful where possible. Ask them to explain a topic to you, draw it, sing it, or act it out. When kids teach back, they’re more likely to retain the information.

And on the topic of structure; remember, forgetting is part of learning. If your child regularly forgets what they reviewed yesterday, don’t panic. Instead, build in daily micro-reviews—just five minutes to revisit yesterday’s topic. This article on forgetfulness might offer some insight into how to manage those moments, too.

Don’t Chase Perfection—Celebrate Effort

In the lead-up to a test, our instinct as parents is to make sure our kids know everything. But often, that pressure leads to anxiety, procrastination, and disengagement.

Instead, reframe what success looks like. Did they learn something new today? Did they take a bit more responsibility? Did they try, even for just 15 minutes? That’s progress. Encouraging a “better-than-yesterday” mindset helps build motivation from within. Here’s more on how to support motivation when it dips.

Be especially gentle if your child says phrases like “I’m just not smart” or “I’m going to fail anyway.” These are signs of underlying school stress, and pushing harder in those moments can backfire. Instead, validate their feelings (“It makes sense that you’re nervous”) and remind them that tests measure information—not worth.

When Revision Becomes a Source of Conflict

If every review session ends in conflict or tears, it’s time to step back. The resistance might signal that the task feels too big, too confusing, or—very often—not emotionally safe. In these cases, try changing the environment: review outside, on a walk, or during a relaxed time of day.

Another method is to let them take the lead: ask what they think would help. Giving a child autonomy (and truly listening to their answer) can reignite the spark of ownership. If school feels like something that’s being done to them, revision will feel like punishment. Make it feel like a partnership.

There’s also value in making school subjects more interesting, especially when children recoil from bland worksheets and rote memorization. If that sounds familiar, you might find comfort in this reflection on how to spark curiosity in reluctant learners.

The Day of the Test (and After)

On the day itself, keep things calm. Give your child a quiet morning, pack their bag ahead of time, and remind them that their value doesn’t depend on any grade. Afterward, no matter how it went, celebrate their effort. Maybe they felt proud of a certain question or simply remembered more than they expected. That’s the win.

Final Thoughts: It’s the Journey, Not Just the Grade

Helping your child revise isn’t about making them memorize everything perfectly. It’s about building habits, resilience, and a sense of capability that will last far beyond any one test. Will it be smooth every time? No. But you’re showing up, adapting, and building trust—and that’s everything.

And if all else fails—and you’re both at your wit’s end—take a breath and remember: some days, the best kind of progress is simply sitting together in curiosity and trying again tomorrow.