Every year, millions of students sit important exams — and every year, many of them make the same avoidable mistakes. A study skills magazine has gathered advice from education researchers and teachers to help students perform at their best. All of the advice follows the same logic: if you do the right things, the results will follow.
Sleep is the first area. "If you sleep fewer than six hours the night before the exam, your concentration will be poor," says Dr. Aisha Morrow, a researcher in cognitive performance. "If you go to bed at the same time each night during revision, your sleep will improve significantly."
Revision planning matters too. "If you make a revision timetable, you will feel more in control of your preparation. If you try to study everything the night before, you will become overwhelmed and remember very little. If you practise with past papers, you will feel more confident when you sit down in the exam hall."
On the day of the exam, small decisions make a big difference. "If you eat a good breakfast, you will have more energy for the whole morning. If you arrive at the exam room with plenty of time, you will feel calmer and more focused. If you read each question twice before you begin answering, you will make fewer mistakes."
After the exam, the advice is clear. "If you discuss the paper with friends immediately after leaving the room, you will feel more anxious — it is better to wait. If you do not feel happy with your result, remember: there will always be other opportunities."
As one experienced teacher puts it: "If students follow these strategies, most of them will perform better than they expect."