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Your guide to stress free exams
It's ok to feel a bit stressed before an exam as the adrenaline often helps you to perform well. However, here are a few tips to stop you getting too stressed out:
Revising
Get organised!
- Start your revision as early as possible
- If revising for lots of subjects draw up a revision timetable. Don't spend too much time revising for one subject and not enough on others and mix up the subjects so you don't get bored
- Make sure you allow for meals and TV breaks. Your brain can only take so much at once
How to revise:
- Make clear, colourful and concise notes that you will be able to remember
- You could use cards to summarise key points
- Get someone to test you
- Revise in groups - discussion can help you remember things
- Explain topics to someone else- it can help to fix it in your mind
- Record key points on tape. To hear yourself say them can help you remember
- Use past exam papers to practice how to answer questions and time yourself
Hints and tips:
- Sleep well and take plenty of breaks between revision
- Get plenty of exercise - a healthy body means a healthy mind
- Don't leave revision until the last minute - it will make you tired and stressed
- Take notes in different ways; diagrams, flow charts, mind maps. They can help you look at a topic in a different perspective
- Ask your teachers for help and advice
Useful websites
Before the Exam
- Get plenty of sleep the night before
- Don't cram your revision the night before as you may not remember any of it
- Check the exam times, dates and locations and get there in plenty of time
- Check you have the right equipment for the exam
- Eat properly, hunger makes you less alert. Try energy foods such as bread and cereal. Avoid sugary foods, which can make you tired in the long run
- Drink plenty of fluids - water your brain!
- Don't let others stress you out - if they are having a panic, leave them to it
Exam Time
- Read instructions carefully
- Circle the question numbers, this makes sure you don't leave any out
- If you have a choice of questions, read them carefully and jot down a few ideas for each before you decide which to answer
- Allocate time to the questions according to how many marks it is worth
- Don't spend an hour on a question that is only worth one mark!
- Don't waffle or go off on a tangent. Examiners can spot it a mile off
- If time runs out, jot down your answers in note form - it can still get you marks
- Don't get bogged down with one question. If you are stuck, go onto the next question and leave time at the end to come back to it