PREPARING FOR WEIGHTED ASSESSMENTS AT PRIMARY 6

By Good School Learning Hub

Weighted assessments often feel more stressful than regular tests, especially in the later primary years. Parents know these assessments matter more, and students sense the increased importance even when it is not stated directly. After more than 15 years of teaching primary students, I have seen that anxiety around weighted assessments usually comes from uncertainty about how to prepare, rather than from the difficulty of the content itself.

Problem:

Many parents worry that their child is not preparing “enough” for weighted assessments. Revision becomes more intense, schedules tighten, and pressure at home can rise quickly. Students may react by becoming anxious, avoiding revision, or over-studying without clear focus. When results do not meet expectations, frustration sets in, leaving parents unsure whether to push harder or change approach.

Details: Weighted assessments differ from smaller tests not just in marks, but in how students experience them. Expectations feel higher, mistakes feel costlier, and confidence plays a bigger role in performance. What we see year after year is that students who revise without structure often feel overwhelmed, while those who focus only on memorising answers struggle when questions are phrased differently. Preparation becomes less effective when fear replaces understanding.

Solutions:

Effective preparation for weighted assessments begins with planning and clarity. Breaking revision into manageable sections over time helps students feel in control and reduces last-minute panic. Reviewing past mistakes, understanding key concepts, and practising application questions calmly are more helpful than repeated drilling. Parents can support preparation by helping children plan revision early, keeping routines steady, and emphasising effort and understanding rather than marks alone. This approach builds confidence alongside readiness.

Alternatives:

Some parents respond to weighted assessments by increasing revision hours sharply, while others try to reduce pressure by treating them like regular tests. Both responses are understandable. However, excessive intensity can heighten anxiety, while underestimating importance may lead to poor preparation. A balanced approach recognises that weighted assessments matter, but that calm, consistent preparation is more effective than urgency or fear.

Further thoughts:

Weighted assessments are part of learning, not a measure of a child’s worth or potential. When students learn how to prepare thoughtfully and manage pressure, these assessments become opportunities to practise exam skills and build confidence. Parents do not need to create a stressful environment for preparation to be effective. With steady support and clear expectations, students can approach weighted assessments with greater confidence and resilience.