Common Entrance preparation: a practical guide for parents

For many Nigerian families, the Common Entrance examination is a child's first big academic milestone. Whether your child is sitting the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) for a Federal Government College or an entrance test for a state or private secondary school, the preparation is much the same, and parents play a bigger role than at any later stage.

This guide gives you a practical plan, whether or not you feel confident with the subjects yourself.

What your child will be tested on

Most entrance examinations test five areas:

Quantitative and verbal reasoning deserve special attention. They are rarely taught as separate subjects in primary school, so many children see these question types for the first time in the exam. A child who has practised them has a real advantage.

When to start

• 6 months before: ideal. There's time to build skills gradually without pressure.
• 3 months before: still very effective with a focused plan.
• 1 month before: concentrate on question types (especially reasoning) and exam technique.

Starting early isn't about long hours. It's about short, regular practice over a longer period, which is how young children learn best.

Step 1: Find out where your child stands

Before planning, get an honest picture. Let your child try a short practice set in each area (Levia's Level 1 in each Common Entrance subject is free and takes about 15 minutes) and note:

• which areas feel comfortable,
• which question types confuse them, and
• whether they run out of time or make careless mistakes.

This tells you where to focus.

Step 2: Build a simple weekly routine

Primary pupils learn best in 20–30 minute sessions. Here's a sample week:

Plus daily reading: 15–20 minutes of storybooks, children's magazines or non-fiction, every day.

Adjust the plan so your child spends more time on weaker areas.

Step 3: Teach the reasoning question types explicitly

For verbal and quantitative reasoning, the first encounter with each question type is the hardest. Once a child recognises the pattern, it gets much easier.

How to teach a new question type:

1. Do one example together, talking through your thinking aloud.
2. Let your child try the next one while you watch.
3. Ask them to explain their answer. If they can explain the rule, they understand it.
4. Give a few more examples for independent practice.
5. Move to a new type only when they're confident.

Our guides to verbal reasoning question types and quantitative reasoning tips explain each type with examples you can use.

Step 4: Strengthen the foundations

A few core skills make every paper easier:

• Times tables to 12 × 12: practise a few minutes daily until answers are instant.
• Reading: builds vocabulary, comprehension and verbal reasoning all at once.
• Spelling: learn common spelling patterns and frequently misspelt words.
• Place value and fractions: the basis of many mathematics and reasoning questions.
• General knowledge: Nigerian states and capitals, national symbols, the human body, and basic science.

Step 5: Introduce timed practice

Once your child is comfortable with the question types (usually in the last 4–6 weeks), introduce gentle timing:

• Time short sets of 10–20 questions.
• Teach them to answer easy questions first and come back to harder ones.
• Practise shading answers neatly if the exam uses answer sheets.
• Do one or two full mock papers before the exam so the format feels familiar.

Keep timing encouraging, not stressful. The goal is familiarity, not fear.

Step 6: Review mistakes calmly

The real learning happens when your child understands a mistake:

• Read the explanation together when they get something wrong.
• Ask what they would do differently next time.
• Try a similar question straight afterwards to confirm they understand.
• Praise effort and improvement, not just correct answers.

A child who feels safe making mistakes learns much faster than one who is afraid of getting things wrong.

Making it work if you're busy (or not confident with the subjects)

You don't need to be a teacher to help:

• Set the routine and the space. A regular time and a quiet spot do most of the work.
• Use resources with built-in explanations, so your child can learn from mistakes even when you're not there to explain.
• Check in briefly each day: "What did you practise? What did you get wrong? What did you learn?"
• Ask an older sibling, relative or teacher to help with specific topics.

Looking after your child's well-being

Entrance exams can feel high-stakes, but young children perform best when they're relaxed and confident:

• Keep sessions short and stop before your child gets tired or frustrated.
• Avoid comparisons with siblings, cousins or classmates.
• Make time for play, rest and sleep. Tired children don't learn well.
• Talk positively about the exam as a chance to show what they know.
• Remind them that you're proud of their effort, whatever the result.

The week of the exam

• No new topics. Light revision only.
• Prepare everything the night before: documents, pencils, an eraser, a sharpener and directions to the centre.
• Ensure a good night's sleep and a proper breakfast.
• Arrive early to avoid rushing.
• Give a calm, encouraging send-off: "Read every question carefully, do your best, and come back to the hard ones."

Practise all five areas on Levia

Levia covers all five Common Entrance areas: English, Mathematics, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and General Studies. Each has five levels with a short, child-friendly explanation after every question, which suits the 20-minute daily sessions in this plan. Try Level 1 of any subject free; no account needed.