TOP TIPS FOR EXAM SUCCESS

Helping your child navigate exam season with confidence and calm can make all the difference - both to their performance and their overall wellbeing.

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As the summer exams approach, it is not just children who start to feel the pressure. Parents, too, often find themselves swept up in a swirl of revision plans, last-minute cramming and emotional highs and lows.

It's wise to remember that success in exams is not just about what children know. It is about managing their time, their mindset and their energy in the lead-up to, and during, their exams. Here are some practical ways to support your child to do their best, without it taking a toll on their health or happiness.

PLAN WELL

One of the most important steps towards exam success is building a solid revision schedule, and sticking to it. Rather than leaving revision until the last minute, encourage your child to start early and spread their studying over several weeks. Research shows that 'spaced repetition' - revisiting topics little and often - helps information stick far more effectively than cramming.

Be specific

Help your child break down their subjects into manageable chunks and set specific goals for each session, such as “revise photosynthesis” rather than “do biology.” Visual tools like colour-coded timetables or sticky notes can help make the plan feel achievable rather than overwhelming.

Most importantly, build in time for rest days, hobbies and social life. Balance is not a luxury, it is essential for long-term focus.

PRIORITISE SLEEP

In the rush to prepare, sleep can sometimes fall by the wayside, but it is one of the most powerful revision tools there is. When we sleep, the brain consolidates memories and processes what we have learned during the day. Teenagers, in particular, need around eight to ten hours of sleep each night to function at their best.