The importance of getting the right answers right away.
Speed is just as important a gauge as accuracy of how well a child has grasped a concept. A student must know that 9 + 7 equals 16 without hesitation, or be able to read a passage fluently without words or sentences.
You want to know why your child must complete worksheets swiftly as well as accurately before advancing. Is it really necessary to work so fast?
Time is of the essence.
Completing Kumon worksheets with 100% accuracy alone does not indicate a genuine command of the material. Basic concepts must truly be second-nature if your child is to retain them permanently. Children are timed when completing worksheets because only when they get the right answers without struggle or delay are they adequately prepared to move on to new material.
Speed + Accuracy = Mastery.
Kumon developed SCT (Standard Completion Time) after finding that children who get a perfect score faster advance more quickly and consistently through the curriculum. They simply have a stronger grasp of the material. It’s important for children to have such a command of the basics in order to become better learners and tackle more complex material down the road.
While the Kumon Instructor determines each student’s SCT, the established range is based on case studies of students who have mastered material in actual use, and the performance of students in trials of new material.
It’s not about pressure!
The purpose of timing workbooks is not to rush students or create a ‘beat-the-clock’ mentality. On the contrary, completing worksheets more swiftly happens naturally as children grow more comfortable with the material and don’t have to struggle for the right answers. They soon feel more at ease with time worksheets and less anxious in test-taking situations.