For the last six months or so, Year 11 and 6th form students have been preparing and revising for their GCSE and A level exams. Now the time has come for them to show the examiners what they have learned over the course of their studies. The exam period can sometimes be stressful for students, so we wish each one of the students taking exams between now and mid- June, the very best and here are our top tips to help you make the most of your time in the exam room and achieve the results you have worked so hard for.

  1. Take time to carefully read the instructions for each question and the exam as a whole. Take note of any word limits or format guideance.
  2. When you have permission to open your paper, quickly scan through all the questions and allocate time to each based on their difficulty level to ensure you have enough time to attempt all the questions.
  3. You do not have to work through the questions in order, so start with the questions you feel most confident about. Early success will increase your confidence.
  4. Keep an eye on the time throughout the exam. If you find yourself spending too much time on a particular question, move on and come back to it later, so that you don’t miss out on other questions.
  5. Even if you’re unsure about an answer, it’s better to attempt the question. You might get some marks for showing your understanding or approach to the question.
  6. If you face a challenging question or feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and remain calm. Remember, you have worked hard in readiness for the exam and trust in yourself.
  7. If you have any further thoughts or ideas related to a particular question, but there isn’t enough space to write them in the provided area, use the margins of the exam paper to jot down those points.
  8. Trust in your ability and revision preparation and give each question your best effort.
  9. If you finish the exam early stay in the room and, use the time to go over your answers again, checking for spelling, grammar, or calculation errors. Sometimes, new insights or ideas come to mind during this period.
  10. Even though you may have another exam the following day, or even later the same day, it is important to enjoy some time off in between exams doing something that you really enjoy.
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