In recent times, as the significance of global education environments becomes apparent, many families have started enrolling their children in international schools. This change is prompted by recognizing the benefits of an international curriculum and its cultural diversity exposure. International schools often provide a broader and more comprehensive learning experience, preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Similar to other schools in Vietnam, international schools require students to pass entrance exams to officially join their desired international institution. However, international school entrance exams, particularly for students transitioning from Vietnamese public schools, pose significant challenges. The format of these entrance exams can be quite different from the entrance tests at public schools. In international school exams, examiners assess students’ performances in Mathematics, Reading, Writing & Grammar, and Science based on their scores. Furthermore, these exams frequently take place in English, contributing an additional layer of complexity. Hence, parents play a vital role in providing guidance, familiarizing students with exam formats, and teaching stress management strategies. All of these activities will greatly boost students’ confidence and success.
Understanding these challenges, Everest Education (“E2”) invites parents to explore our methods and support to help your children confidently excel in international school entry exams. Our system caters to exam demands, offering vital tools for your child’s triumph.
1. Personalizing Your Child’s Study Plan
When preparing for any exam, having a study plan tailored to one’s own capabilities can significantly expedite progress and goal achievement. This is particularly pertinent for students transitioning from public schools to international institutions. Adopting a personalized study path helps students swiftly adapt to the unique challenges of international school entrance exams.
Personalizing a study path for your child involves delving into their abilities, goals, and learning style to construct an appropriate learning plan. It’s important for parents to note that not all advanced study paths or methodologies suit every child. Parents can explore and select the study methods that best resonate with your children, stimulating creative thinking and fostering their capacity to absorb knowledge.
To embark on personalizing your child’s study path, you can begin by having your child take practice entrance exams for international schools. By evaluating the results of these tests, parents can identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses, aiding them in crafting a suitable study trajectory.
Read more: Specific steps to personalize your child’s learning path.
2. Building A Solid English Foundation
The most noticeable distinction between the entrance exams for Vietnamese public schools and international institutions is the language used in the tests. The majority of international school entrance exams are conducted in English, requiring students to articulate their answers in this language. This can pose several challenges for students in comprehending the questions and expressing their answers. Therefore, aiding your child in establishing a firm grasp of English and cultivating confidence in using this second language are important.
However, English proficiency cannot be developed overnight, especially if a child only begins preparing for it during the exam phase. To truly consolidate knowledge and skills in using the English language, parents should guide your child to diligently practice this subject early on and create opportunities for them to use English as much as possible. For instance, parents can create an English-rich environment at home by allowing your child to watch English programs or enrolling them in English-language summer camps to enhance their language exchange with friends. Consistently immersing a child in an English-friendly setting will not only boost their confidence in language application but also enhance their adaptability in utilizing these skills across diverse contexts, particularly in exams where English serves as the primary language.
Furthermore, parents can enroll their children in reputable English language centers to provide more opportunities for them to use English. At E2, your child will learn English through innovative methods from the course English Language Arts. To help students understand deeply and retain the topics they’ve learned, we thoughtfully design classes that maximize interactive activities through blended learning method – combining traditional classroom teaching with the benefits of technology. Additionally, we also implement the project-based learning approach, providing opportunities for students to actively research and effectively solve real-world problems.
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3. Using High-Quality Study Materials
On the journey to conquering international schools from a public school background, parents will also encounter challenges in aiding your children to find suitable review materials, as you might not have access to credible sources. Free online materials might lack quality and alignment with the actual exam standards used in international school entrance tests. Relying on such resources can impede progress in enhancing the child’s knowledge and yield suboptimal results during practice. Furthermore, if the child relies on subpar materials for preparation and then faces a real exam vastly different from their practiced exercises, it could lead to unexpected outcomes in the international school entrance exam.
To ensure the child practices with the highest quality materials, parents can consider enrolling them in specialized training centers for students preparing for international school admissions. Opting for a center with a team of highly qualified teachers possessing years of experience in assisting students to successfully secure their desired school is advisable. Having guidance from experts can alleviate the pressure of the exam and swiftly restore the child’s confidence during the preparation process.
4. Practicing Frequently
“Practice makes perfect.” Even though the child may have the knowledge needed for the upcoming exam, without regular practice to familiarize themselves with the test format, it’s challenging to showcase their abilities effectively during the actual exam. Unlike the preparation process, real exams always have time constraints. While your child might excel in solving problems during home practice, if they’re not accustomed to time pressure, the quality of your performance might diminish in the actual exam room. When stressed, it’s difficult for students to think clearly and apply the acquired knowledge while solving problems. This can lead to all the effort put into preparation going to waste due to lack of thorough practice at home.
To avoid this pitfall, parents can help students establish the habit of practicing with exam papers during the preparation period. The ideal time for mock exams is at least two weeks before the official exam date. During this period, ensure that your child has covered the required knowledge after a period of study and is ready to enter the mock exam phase for knowledge verification. This phase also offers an opportunity for your child to refine their carefulness and time management while solving problems. During the mock exam phase, your child can attempt one prompt per day or at least three prompts per week to ensure familiarity with the test format. Additionally, encourage your child to adopt a serious attitude while attempting these mock exams. They shouldn’t multitask while practicing, as it will divert their focus, resulting in mock exam results that don’t truly reflect their abilities. If the actual exam is scheduled for 90 minutes, encourage your child to time their mock exams accordingly, gradually getting used to time pressure and allocating 30 minutes afterward to review and correct any mistakes. Furthermore, encourage your child to overcome the fear of making mistakes while practicing and to regularly review and correct their practice papers. Only through this can they identify areas where their understanding might be lacking and create a timely plan for improvement.
Recognizing the importance of practicing before this crucial exam, E2 regularly arranges mock MAP Tests to support students preparing for international school entrance exams. Parents can learn more and register your child for the mock MAP test HERE.
5. Conquering International School Entrance Exams with E2
With over 12 years of experience guiding numerous generations of students to excel and achieve remarkable results in international schools, E2 equips your child with all the necessary tools. This includes a personalized study plan, high-quality study materials, an English-enriching environment, and effective practice tests. By having these elements in place, your child will feel confident and assured during their preparation, significantly alleviating the pressure leading up to the impending exams.
Most recently, E2 takes pride in supporting the success story of Nguyen Truong Thu Van (Winson), who secured a place at CIS International School. After an unsuccessful entrance exam attempt at CIS, Winson’s family turned to E2 with the hope of overcoming this challenge. Before E2, Winson disliked Mathematics, often being regarded as one of the weakest in the subject. However, following 10 tutoring sessions with Mr. Willian at E2, Winson shared that he was pleasantly surprised by his significant progress in the subject. Winson showed gratitude and admiration for Mr. Willian’s teaching skills, crediting Mr. Willian for cultivating his passion for Mathematics and boosting his confidence in the subject through dedicated teaching.
The culmination of these efforts proved rewarding, as Winson successfully surpassed the entrance exam requirements for CIS International School, achieving an impressive score in Mathematics. Currently, Winson is a proud student of CIS and is recognized as one of the top performers in Mathematics within his class.
At Everest Education, we provide the finest tools of knowledge and skills to empower students to confidently conquer international school entrance exams. With a modern teaching approach and a team of highly skilled educators, E2 is confident in helping your child “get ahead of the game” through high-quality practice exams. These tests assist your child in swiftly identifying their capabilities and devising a suitable plan for the entrance exams to their desired institution.
To better prepare your children for international school entrance exams, parents can register your children for the MAP Test, an assessment of international school readiness.
We hope that the information shared above is somewhat helpful for parents in supporting their children in the upcoming important exams. Wishing your family a joyful back-to-school season.
Source: Top 17 bí quyết ôn thi tuyển sinh lớp 10 để đậu vào các trường quốc tế song ngữ tại tphcm – Hệ thống trường quốc tế Việt Úc – VAS
