Top NCEE Preparation Mistakes Parents Make (and How to Fix Them)
Good Intentions, Wrong Strategies
Every year, thousands of Nigerian parents support their children through the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) — one of the most important milestones in basic education.
Yet, despite their best intentions, many parents unknowingly adopt habits or routines that hinder rather than help their child’s progress.
At The Exam Coach, we’ve worked with hundreds of families preparing for the NCEE. We’ve seen exactly what works — and what doesn’t.
This guide breaks down the most common mistakes parents make, why they happen, and how to fix them quickly and effectively.
Why Parental Support Matters
The NCEE isn’t just a test of academic skill — it’s a test of discipline, balance, and emotional readiness.
Children perform best when their parents provide structure, encouragement, and clear expectations. However, too much pressure, poor planning, or inconsistent routines can undo months of effort.
To truly help your child, your role should combine guidance and independence — creating a calm, consistent environment where learning becomes a habit, not a burden.
Let’s explore the most frequent pitfalls parents face.
Common Parent Mistakes (and Why They Happen)
1️⃣ Starting Too Late
Many parents delay NCEE preparation until a few weeks before the exam. This leads to rushed learning, burnout, and unnecessary panic.
Why it happens: Busy schedules or uncertainty about when to start — some assume “Primary 6 second term” is early enough.
The result: Cramming replaces structured learning. Children feel anxious and forget easily.
2️⃣ Over-Scheduling or Over-Tutoring
Some families pack every evening and weekend with classes, leaving no room for rest or play.
Why it happens: Parents believe more lessons automatically equal higher marks.
The result: Children become mentally exhausted, lose focus, and start associating studying with stress instead of progress.
3️⃣ Ignoring Weak Subjects
Parents often focus on what their child already does well — for example, endless English exercises for a language-strong student while avoiding tricky maths topics.
Why it happens: Comfort zones are easier for both child and parent.
The result: Performance gaps widen, and weak areas cost crucial marks on exam day.
4️⃣ Over-Relying on Tutors
While tutors are valuable, some parents delegate everything — assuming teaching alone guarantees results.
Why it happens: Busy parents hope hiring a good tutor removes their involvement.
The result: Children lose self-motivation and depend too heavily on external help.
💬 Exam Coach Insight: The best outcomes happen when tutors, parents, and pupils work together — clear communication multiplies success.
5️⃣ Lack of Routine
Without a consistent daily plan, children revise randomly — one day Maths, the next nothing.
Why it happens: No written timetable or monitoring system.
The result: Important subjects are skipped, and revision feels disorganised.
6️⃣ Focusing Only on Academics
Parents often forget that exam success also depends on sleep, diet, and emotional balance.
Why it happens: Cultural emphasis on marks, not well-being.
The result: Children burn out, lose confidence, or underperform despite knowing the material.
7️⃣ Comparing Children
One of the most damaging habits is comparing a child’s performance with siblings or classmates.
Why it happens: Parents think comparison motivates improvement.
The result: It produces anxiety, resentment, or a fear of failure — lowering performance instead of raising it.
8️⃣ Neglecting Practice Under Exam Conditions
Many children practise in comfortable settings — chatting, checking answers midway, or using calculators — nothing like the real exam.
Why it happens: Parents value completion over simulation.
The result: Pupils panic in real conditions and struggle with timing.
9️⃣ Ignoring Feedback
Mock test results and tutor comments often go unread or misunderstood.
Why it happens: Parents focus on scores, not analysis.
The result: Repeated mistakes remain uncorrected, and progress stalls.
🔟 Over-Pressuring the Child
The desire for success can unintentionally turn into constant reminders, warnings, or criticism.
Why it happens: Parents confuse motivation with control.
The result: Confidence drops; the child studies from fear, not curiosity or pride.
💡 Parent Reminder: Encouragement builds resilience — pressure builds resistance.
Expert Fixes: How to Support More Effectively
1️⃣ Start Early, Plan Gradually
Begin preparation at least three months before the exam.
Use short, consistent sessions (30–45 minutes per subject) to avoid fatigue.
A slow build-up of learning creates stronger retention and reduces stress closer to exam time.
2️⃣ Balance Tutoring and Home Study
Tutors are guides — not replacements.
Encourage your child to practise independently between lessons, and review their notes together weekly.
Ask tutors to share topic reports or feedback summaries so you can track progress from home.
3️⃣ Build a Family Study Routine
Set fixed times each day for revision — ideally early evening, when children are alert.
Include 5-minute breaks every half hour and reserve Sundays for light review or rest.
Print or post the schedule somewhere visible. Consistency builds discipline faster than reminders.
4️⃣ Focus on Weaknesses First
Use past papers or mock results to find low-scoring topics.
Dedicate two days per week to those areas exclusively.
Encourage small wins — every improvement of five marks boosts motivation.
5️⃣ Encourage Independent Thinking
Ask your child to explain their reasoning aloud when solving problems.
This strengthens comprehension and highlights where confusion begins.
Pupils who can “teach back” a topic truly understand it.
6️⃣ Use Positive Reinforcement
Celebrate effort, not perfection.
Simple praise — “You tried hard today” — keeps morale high.
Offer small rewards after study streaks or practice tests.
7️⃣ Simulate Exam Conditions
Every two weeks, run a full mock exam at home:
Strict timing
No help or interruptions
Quiet environment
After marking, compare results with previous mocks to measure progress.
Download free sample papers from our Past Questions Page.
8️⃣ Review Feedback and Adjust
Don’t stop at the score.
Ask your child what went wrong — time pressure, confusion, or simple carelessness?
Then adjust revision plans based on those answers.
💬 Exam Coach Tip: The more feedback you use, the fewer mistakes repeat. Improvement comes from reflection, not repetition.
9️⃣ Model Calm Confidence
Children mirror their parents.
If you stay positive and relaxed, your child feels reassured.
Replace anxious statements (“You must pass!”) with supportive ones (“You’ve worked hard; you’re ready.”)
🔟 Keep Perspective
Remember, the NCEE is one step in a long educational journey.
Whether your child qualifies for their first-choice Unity College or not, the real goal is developing learning habits, independence, and confidence.
🧠 Exam Coach Reminder: Success is not a single score — it’s a mindset built over years of steady growth.
Checklist: The Smart Parent’s NCEE Support Plan
Use this quick checklist to ensure you’re guiding, not overwhelming, your child:
✅ Preparation
Started at least 3 months before the exam
Created a balanced weekly study schedule
Used at least two mock exams for practice
✅ Academic Support
Covered all four NCEE subjects equally
Focused extra time on weak topics
Practised time management and accuracy drills
✅ Emotional Support
Praised effort regularly
Avoided negative comparison with peers
Maintained open, calm communication
✅ Environment
Quiet, distraction-free study space
Healthy meals and regular sleep routine
Time for breaks and play
✅ Monitoring
Reviewed tutor or mock feedback
Adjusted revision plan after each test
Encouraged independence and accountability
Final Thoughts
Parents are their child’s first teachers — and their emotional anchors. Supporting your child effectively means balancing structure, patience, and encouragement.
At The Exam Coach, we’ve seen that when parents shift from pressuring to partnering, their children not only perform better in the NCEE — they also enjoy learning far more.
Stay calm, stay consistent, and remember: the right guidance starts with you.
