The night before the test

Keep it normal. The night before, keep everything as low key as possible, with normal routines:

• normal tea and a normal bedtime;
• the bag packed the night before, with the Pupil Card in it;
• breakfast in the morning;
• leave in good time, because a child can't be let in once the test has started.

The one message. If a child knows you only want them to do their best, they can control that. They can't control the score.

It's natural to feel nervous. You want them to do well, and children pick up on it.

If they get stuck tomorrow. Remind them of the question: "What are you going to do first?" One small step gets them into the rest.