How to Push Up Your Assessment Marks: Law of the Feedback Loop

Been studying hard for your exams but find that your marks aren’t reflecting your efforts? There’s a little something called the Law of the Feedback Loop which can explain why and help you get your marks up.

Let’s find out what it is and how you can use it!

What is the Law of the Feedback Loop?

Tip #1: Get Help From Your Teacher

Tip #2: Mark Your Work

Tip #3: Teach Someone

Tip #4: Find a Tutor or Mentor

What is the Law of the Feedback Loop?

But first, what is the Law of the Lid?

Do you ever find that you’ve practised so hard for an exam; written an essay almost every night in the lead up, felt pretty good in your responses, but then you get your marks back and it doesn’t reflect the amount of effort you put in? 

It can be really discouraging, and also confusing as to why your marks aren’t higher. 

There’s a concept called The Law of the Lid, which simply encompasses the idea that whatever you do when practicing is going to be the lid of your performance.

This means that the best you do at home in a relaxed environment, the occasional look at your notes, and flexible time conditions, will be the absolute maximum that you can achieve in an exam where the pressure is pumping and the stakes are higher. 

So, you’ve got to figure out how you can improve your lid in practice, so when it gets to the exam, you’ll be able to achieve your best. 

The Law of the Feedback Loop

Think back to a time when you were learning something for the first time. 

For example, taking your first baby steps. Although you obviously don’t remember taking your first steps, it’s safe to assume that you would’ve fallen over.

In this instance, the ground gave you feedback…. and tears. Either way, as humans, we’re fast learners and will quickly change something after receiving feedback.

Essentially, more feedback will accelerate your feedback loop and help you raise that lid faster!

Now that you know what the Feedback Loop is, let’s look into ways that you can improve your feedback loop!

Learn why your practice papers should be harder than your actual exams here!

Tip #1: Get help from your teacher

Your school teachers are there to help you learn and improve, so you should be constantly seeking feedback from them. Ask them for so much feedback that when they see you coming, they run away!

That being said, it’s important that you actually use their feedback and implement it in your work. There’s no point asking your teacher for extra feedback if you’re just going to leave it at the bottom of your bag or in your unread emails!

Tip #2: Mark your work

As great as writing practise essays and doing past papers are, they’re pretty counterproductive if you don’t read over and mark them!

It’s so important that you check your work to see where you went wrong. That way, next time you go to practise, you’ll know what to be careful of; thanks to the feedback loop!

Tip #3: Teach someone

Teaching is a great way to learn! When you teach something to someone you’re creating an immediate feedback loop.

If your explanation is unclear or doesn’t make sense, that’s when you know your own understanding is unclear. It’s also just great to be able to talk aloud and revise content.

Maybe you could teach your parents or siblings over dinner, or have study sessions with a friend doing the same subject so you can teach each other!

Doing well in your first HSC assessment sets the tone for the rest of Year 12. Find out why the first term of Year 12 is so critical here.

Tip #4: Find a tutor or mentor

Finally, getting extra support from a tutor or mentor is a great way to receive one-on-one personal feedback. It’s also good to have sessions where you can ask lots of questions and reflect on your work with a second pair of eyes!

Now that you understand the Law of the Lid and the Law of the Feedback Loop, start to consider ways you can introduce the four strategies above, into your study routine.

Remember that the best you can achieve in practice is the limit, or lid, to what you’ll achieve in your exam. So raise that lid and get in tune with the Law of the Feedback Loop!

Looking for some extra help with your studies?

We pride ourselves on our inspirational coaches and mentors!

We offer tutoring and mentoring for Years K-12 in a variety of subjects, with personalised lessons conducted one-on-one in your home or at our state of the art campus in Hornsby!

To find out more and get started with an inspirational tutor and mentor get in touch today! 

Give us a ring on 1300 267 888, email us at [email protected] or check us out on Facebook!

Nandini Dhir is a Content Writer at Art of Smart and is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Marketing) and a Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications), as a Dalyell Scholar, at Sydney University. She enjoys covering local issues in her area and writing about current events in the media. Nandini has had one of her pieces published in an article with the Sydney Morning Herald. In her free time, Nandini loves doing calligraphy, ballet, and sewing, or is otherwise found coddling her cats.