LIFESTYLE NEWS - As Matrics from the Class of 2019 get stuck into their mid-year exams, an education expert has warned that they need to remain disciplined and focused right to the end, and not under-estimate the importance of this round of assessments.
“Grade 12s will have noticed that the ante has been upped in these exams, and it will be their first real encounter with the high expectations they will need to meet this year,” said Peter Kriel, general manager at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest private higher education institution.
“Once the going gets tough, as is bound to happen, the temptation might be there to take a step back and dismiss these exams as no big deal in the greater scheme of things, in the mistaken belief that the real challenge lies ahead when the finals arrive.
“But that would be the wrong approach, as the mid-year exams play a crucial role not only in the matriculant’s preparation for the final exams, but also on their prospects after school. These marks really do count, and learners must do everything they can to perform as well as possible,” he said.
Kriel said with the increased competition for tertiary study space, particularly for popular and respected institutions and qualifications, it is important that learners apply for higher education opportunities as soon as possible.
“Learners can already use their Grade 11 marks to apply to an institution of their choice,” noted Kriel.
“And for those learners in Grade 12 who have not yet done so, or whose Grade 11 marks didn’t quite cut it, mid-year exams are extremely significant.
"At this stage, there is still enough time left to make a concerted effort to improve your performance, and doing so will put you in a much better position for the rest of the year and beyond.”
Kriel says it is imperative that matric learners who have not yet applied for post-school study do so without delay, as they will likely miss out on valuable opportunities if they leave it too late.
“So resolve right now to double down, do the work, and give it your absolute best effort, so that you can get the higher education application process off your to-do-list before you start preparing for your final exams.
