Ages 16 to 18

Exam tips

• Go to bed fairly early, but not too early, the night before the exam. Try not to revise on that evening. Do something else if you can (preferably physical exercise) to take your mind off the exam. This will help you sleep well.
• When you get up, eat your usual breakfast, not too much, not too little. You don't want to be hungry during the exam, but equally having indigestion will distract you!
• Allow plenty of time to get to the exam. If you are early, don't wait just outside the door of the exam room. Find somewhere nearby to relax, read a book (probably not revision), listen to music, or talk to your friends.
• Make sure that you have everything you need in the examination (pens, pencils etc, plus water if you are allowed it). Make sure that you are not carrying anything that you are not allowed to take into the exam room.
• Make sure that you are as comfortable as you can be; wear comfortable clothes if you are allowed a choice.
• When you are allowed to look at the exam paper, read it through very carefully. Make sure that you understand what you have to do, what the options are, what is compulsory, and where you have a choice.
• Make sure you put your name and any other essential information (exam number perhaps) on the answer paper.
• Ensure that you are using the correct writing implement. For example, you may not be allowed to write in pencil.
• As far as possible, decide which questions you will answer and try and allocate the time to each one. This is even more important if you know how many marks are awarded for each question. It is probably a good idea to answer any compulsory questions first, but, if you have problems with some of these and you can see an optional question that you know you can answer, it may be a good idea to attempt the latter first because it will give you confidence to go back to the questions that you found difficult to start with.
• If you know what marks are available, then write one sentence for each mark.
• Know the difference between describe and explain. When you explain something you have to give reasons.
• Unless you are absolutely confident that you can do no more, do not leave the exam early. Any essay answer can almost certainly be improved, whether you are confident about it or whether you are unhappy with it. It is sensible to take advantage of all the time that is allowed you.
• When you have finished the exam, go and relax, have a coffee or tea. Do something else and forget about the exam for a while; it is too late to change the result and worrying about it will not help. This is particularly true if you have a second exam later in the same day.
• For some tips about reducing stress levels, see www.revisionaid.co.uk/advice/keeping_calm.html

<< back to Exam section