| Let's face it. | | | | TVservices like The Discovery Channel |
| The job market is getting tougher every | | | | all help to liven uplearning. |
| day. | | | | #2. Develop problem-solving skills |
| Computerization is making many jobs | | | | Practicing mental activities like |
| redundant. | | | | quizzes and crosswordpuzzles helps |
| The Internet and modern | | | | nurture the intellectual problem-solving |
| telecommunications have allowedcompanies | | | | partof the brain. |
| to outsource jobs to third-world | | | | It also develops other important skills |
| countries wherewage costs are much | | | | like concentrationand creativity. |
| lower. | | | | So get your kids into the habit of |
| In fact thousands of jobs have already | | | | solving problems everyday. |
| been shed in the | | | | Their exam skills will develop |
| United Kingdom as several major banks | | | | naturally, plus they'll beable to solve |
| have outsourced theircall center | | | | problems more easily in the real world |
| operations to the Indian subcontinent. | | | | outsideof the exam hall. |
| Other companies are following suit, | | | | #3. Encourage the study habit |
| sending their back-office and | | | | Who hasn't tried to cram themselves full |
| Information Technology jobs the same | | | | of information thenight before an |
| way. | | | | important exam? |
| This is a major trend that's only going | | | | Unfortunately, that's doing it the hard |
| to accelerate. | | | | way. |
| Have you ever wondered how your kids | | | | "A little, often" works much better. |
| will get on when it'stime to look for a | | | | Ensure your kids set aside at least 20 |
| job? | | | | minutes a day forpeaceful study. Every |
| With the population increasing and with | | | | day. |
| more peoplecompeting for fewer jobs, | | | | After a few sessions of enjoyable |
| companies can now pick and choosefrom | | | | learning, you'll find theyactually look |
| the very best applicants. | | | | forward to their study period. |
| But wait a moment.... | | | | #4. Learn exam technique |
| What do we mean by "the best"? | | | | Studying for exams includes studying |
| Whether you like it or not, "best" | | | | exams. |
| generally means the bestqualified. | | | | Get hold of some past examination papers |
| Employers, of course, have always used | | | | - you can buy thesecheaply in most |
| academicqualifications to shortlist job | | | | bookstores - and have your kids study |
| applicants for the interviewstage. | | | | thequestions. |
| But what is emerging now is a reliance | | | | Exams have a consistent formula, and |
| on exam results foreven seemingly | | | | once you know theformula, you're halfway |
| ordinary jobs. | | | | to success. |
| For example, did you know that the | | | | Familiarity also instills confidence - |
| average call centeremployee in India is | | | | an important qualitywhen it comes to |
| educated to degree level? | | | | facing a real exam situation. |
| Qualifications are becoming more | | | | #5. Pay for performance |
| important than ever before. | | | | If all else fails, or your kids are |
| And while not everyone is a natural-born | | | | having trouble gettingmotivated towards |
| exam prodigy, thereare steps parents can | | | | a forthcoming exam, try offering them an |
| take to help their kids gain betterexam | | | | "incentive". |
| passes. | | | | (Well they have to learn about |
| Here are 5 tips to get you started: | | | | "performance-related pay"someday.) |
| #1. Make learning enjoyable | | | | You'd be surprised how a little |
| We all do things better when we enjoy | | | | motivation can improve examresults! |
| them, so bring out thejoy of learning | | | | Whichever way you do it, try to help |
| for its own sake. | | | | your kids get the bestgrades they can. |
| One way to achieve this is by having | | | | "Qualifications doth not a person make." |
| family discussionsabout exam-related | | | | But they certainly help when it's time |
| topics. Try to inject some drama (or | | | | to earn a living. |
| atleast some interest!) into the topic. | | | | 'Fun With Figures' shows anyone how to |
| Another way is to embrace different | | | | gain an unfairadvantage in math. Visit |
| technologies outside ofthe classroom. | | | | the website today and find outwhat they |
| The Internet, multimedia CD-ROMs, and | | | | didn't teach you in school. |