For History: Not just memorising. The content is only for you to use to substantiate or support your arguments. Its not like our time anymore where its pure regurgitation.
I teach Upper Sec History, but the skills are more or less similar for lower sec, hope to share some tips with you:
Usually the teachers will provide the topics to be examined.
Break down the topics into smaller sub-topics. U may wish to draw up a checklist for your child as he does his revision.
For example:(Random egfrom upper sec history)
Topic: Reasons for outbreak of WWII in Europe
Sub topics: Long term reasons/Short term reasons/trigger factor
Who was to be blamed for the outbreak of WWII in Europe
Was appeasement wrong/a success?
The outbreak of WWII in EUrope was inevitable. Do you agree?
These sub topics are common areas a question can be asked. So memorise the details along these lines. I think there is no escape from memory work. However, the pain can be lessened if the child knows the big picture of the story/topic. It is like understanding a story. Eg. The story of Red Riding Hood. We understand the big picture of what happened. Then need to go memorise the details of what led Red Riding Hood into the Forest, what was the food she brought along, etc.
For Structured Essay Section:
From my understanding, Lower sec requires a few sub parts to essay question.
The way of asking is always standard. So, good to have a preset guideline of how to start off the answer. Last qn is always judgement/assertion question. Eg. "Hitler was to be blamed for the outbreak of WWII in Europe". Standard framework is One para why Hitler was to be blamed. and one para why hitler was NOT to be blamed.
Paragraph must have topic sentence, elaboration (there is where the memory work comes in) and link (sum up why the content knowledge in the elaboration shwos that Hitler should be blamed).
SBQ:
Skills are standard, so..child must be able to identify what is the question type he is answering. (Inference? Compare and contrast? Reliability?Utility?Assertion?)Once the child can identify the question type ,There is a standard framework in which he can approach the question.
Most importantly for SBQ---Practice, practice practice!
For essay also need practice. But if no time to write out full essays, essay outlines are good training too to prepare for exams.
HOpe this helps.