Exam fact

6.5 million exams were sat this summer

Revision

Over 2.6 million students have sat exams this summer. Some of you may wish to resit exams or prepare for the next series and will be busy as you get down to some serious revision.

To help out, we have suggested some tips and advice for students and their parents in the run up to exams. The tips have been suggested by examiners (based on the performance of students in previous examinations), students and parents on how to handle the exam process.

Top Ten Tips from Students to other Students

  1. You should have created a revision timetable with sensible work slots and breaks and then show and get your parent's agreement. Keep to this! Then when your parent finds you 'not working', provided you are following your agreed timetable no one is going to hassle you - parents only hassle and worry when they are not sure what you are doing, or if you do not seem to have a plan. Organise yourself well and it will help you to fulfil your potential.  If you have not prepared one, then it is not too late to start.  Incorporate all your exam dates into it
  2. Know where your exams are and when they start, how long they are and what equipment you are allowed to take in (calculators etc) and what you are not allowed to take in (mobiles, text messagers etc)
  3. Make sure you have one weekend day when you don't do revision or think about exams - you'll come back to it refreshed
  4. Tell your family about your revision time - and ask them for help if you need it - it may help make them feel useful to you!
  5. Keep bullet points on crib cards highlighting main subject theories. Use these for quick revision and for reading during "dead" times ie waiting for a bus and use Mnemonics - using initials of a word helps your memory
  6. Some people revise well by listening, so 'talk' their revision on to cassette tapes and then listen to these while lying in bed, while travelling in a car, or walking to the shops (on a personal stereo). This also takes the 'guilt' out of being out and about instead of in front of the books
  7. Ensure you eat and sleep properly. Now is not the time to diet or stay up all night. Have an early night before exam
  8. Prepare items needed for the exam the evening before. Make sure you have the correct equipment needed for your exam (calculators, rulers etc).  Know what they are not allowed to take in to the exam (mobile phones, pagers text messagers etc). Your exam invigilator should remind you of this before the exam starts. Taking unauthorised equipment in can get you disqualified from the exam
  9. Look after yourself during the exam period (good routine and healthy eating!). Be sure to cut down on your weekend/evening job; most employers know that you need to commit time to the exams and revision, but often try to get you to do extra hours anyway
  10. On the morning of the exam, have a good breakfast, stay calm and allow plenty of time to get to the exam and remember that you can only do your best and even if you don't do as well as you hope, your parents still love you just as much!
Back to top

Top Ten Tips from Parents to Other Parents

  1. A dedicated quiet space with good natural light or lighting is best for studying, with no distractions.  If you have other siblings, tell them the importance of revision time
  2. Ensure that your son or daughter has one evening a week away from studies and regular breaks during the study periods
  3. Be around as a 'feeding station' - lots of healthy food and proper meals - not too many sugary snacks and junk food
  4. Offer to help with testing or ask if there is something that you can do for them - tell them you are concerned about their welfare more than the results
  5. Know your son or daughter's revision timetable. Encourage them to tell you about what they are studying. If you know that they are not at their best first thing in the morning, encourage them to rest then and work when they are more lively. They should choose their weakest/sleepiest  time of day to be sociable and go out, or watch TV at those times
  6. Know exactly the date, time and location for each exam and incorporate this into the revision plan and make sure that they have the correct equipment they need for the exam (calculators, rulers etc).  Know what they are not allowed to take in to the exam (mobile phones, pagers text messagers etc)
  7. If your son or daughter has a medical condition, eg Diabetes, hay fever etc. make sure that the school knows. There are special considerations for some conditions
  8. If there is a family crisis, for example divorce or bereavement, again ensure that your son or daughter's teacher knows as the additional stress can affect exam performance
  9. Make sure that they are using the internet to study and not as an excellent resource to give the appearance of study
  10. Tell them that they can only try their best and even if they don't do as well as you hope, you still love them just as much

Back to top