Preparing for exams without the last-minute panic

Exam stress is mostly the fear of not knowing how much is left. A countdown plan takes that unknown away.

Six weeks out: map the territory

• Get the syllabus or topic list and mark each topic green, orange or red for how confident you feel.
• Collect past papers and notes in one place.
• Block out study sessions in your calendar, red topics first.

Two weeks out: practise like it is the real thing

Switch from reading notes to doing questions. Sit at least one past paper under timed conditions, then mark it honestly and write down every mistake and why you made it. Your error list is your most valuable study guide.

The final week: sharpen, do not cram

Go back over your error list, formulas and key definitions. Add short, quick recall sessions. Keep your sleep and meals regular; a tired brain recalls less than a rested one.

The night before

1. Pack your bag with everything you need.
2. Do a light review of summary sheets for 30 to 45 minutes, no more.
3. Stop at a sensible time and get to bed.

In the exam

Read the whole paper first, start with a question you are confident about, and keep an eye on the time. If you get stuck, move on and come back; a mark picked up elsewhere is worth more than ten minutes spent frozen.

If your child is feeling overwhelmed in the lead up, a tutor can help build a plan and work through the topics that are holding them back.