Why Practising More Doesn’t Always Lead to Better Results

Many parents have the same instinct when results don’t improve: “Just practice more.”

More worksheets. More questions. More hours.

And while practice is important, more practice doesn’t automatically mean better learning. In fact, when practice is done the wrong way, it can reinforce confusion, increase anxiety, and slow real progress.

At Genie Education Hub, we often see students who have practiced a lot — yet still struggle in tests. The issue isn’t effort. It’s how that effort is used.

Let’s unpack why practicing more doesn’t always work, and what actually does.

Practicing Can Strengthen the Wrong Thing

Practice is powerful — but it strengthens whatever the brain is doing at that moment. If a child is practicing with understanding, practice builds mastery. If a child is practicing by copying steps without thinking, practice builds memorization.

This is why some students can complete pages of homework but freeze when questions look unfamiliar. They haven’t practiced thinking — they’ve practiced recognizing patterns.

We explore this gap more deeply in: Why Knowing the Answer Isn’t the Same as Understanding the Concept

More repetition of the same pattern doesn’t create flexibility. It creates dependency.

Why More Practice Can Increase Anxiety

When practice becomes a numbers game, students start to associate learning with pressure. “I still can’t do it even after so many questions.” “Why am I not improving?”

This emotional load builds frustration and self-doubt. Over time, students may rush, avoid challenging questions, or panic during exams — not because they don’t know enough, but because they don’t trust themselves.

This reaction is closely linked to what we discuss in: Why Kids Panic When Questions Look Unfamiliar — And How to Fix It

Without confidence and clarity, more practice just adds stress.

Why Quality of Practice Matters More Than Quantity

Good practice is not about how many questions are completed. It’s about what happens during and after each question.

Effective practice involves:

• understanding why a method works

• reflecting on mistakes

• comparing different approaches

• explaining reasoning out loud

• applying the same concept in varied contexts

  
  

This kind of practice often looks slower and messier — but it builds far stronger understanding.

We talk more about embracing this process in: What Good Learning Actually Looks Like (And Why It’s Often Messy)

Why Repeating the Same Type of Question Has Limits

Doing ten identical questions in a row may boost short-term confidence, but it rarely prepares students for exams.

Exams intentionally vary:

• wording

• structure

• diagrams

• context

  
  

Students who only practice one format struggle to adapt when things look different. This is especially true for word problems and science open-ended questions.

That’s why we emphasize varied practice and visual reasoning tools such as model drawing, which you can read about in: How Model Drawing Helps Kids Understand Word Problems Better

And for application challenges: The Real Reason Kids Struggle with Word Problems (and How to Fix It)

What Actually Leads to Better Results

Students improve faster when practice is:

• Spaced, not crammed. Short, regular sessions beat long, exhausting ones. This allows the brain to consolidate learning.

• Reflective, not rushed. Asking “Why did this work?” or “Why didn’t this work?” matters more than moving on quickly.

• Varied, not repetitive. Different question styles force students to rely on understanding instead of recognition.

• Safe, not fear-driven. When students are not afraid of mistakes, they attempt more challenging questions and learn more deeply.

  
  

This kind of productive struggle is something we value strongly, as explained in: Why Struggling with Math Might Be the Best Thing for Your Child’s Brain

How Genie Approaches Practice Differently

At Genie Education Hub, practice is guided, purposeful, and intentional. We don’t just ask students to do more. We help them:

• understand concepts before drilling

• reflect on errors instead of erasing them

• explain their thinking

• apply ideas across different question types

• build confidence through clarity, not pressure

  
  

As a result, students practice less blindly — and improve more meaningfully.

Final Thoughts

Practice is essential. But more practice without understanding is like running on a treadmill — a lot of effort, little progress.

When children practice with reflection, variety, and support, results follow naturally. Not just in scores, but in confidence, calmness, and clarity of thought.

At Genie Education Hub, we believe it’s not about practicing harder — it’s about practicing smarter.