Exams can be a stressful time for students, but with the right revision strategies, preparation can become more efficient and effective. Many students struggle with where to start, how to structure their study time, and which techniques work best. This guide provides ten proven revision tips that can help students maximise their learning, stay motivated, and feel more confident going into their exams. From creating a structured timetable to using past papers and taking regular breaks, these strategies are designed to improve focus and retention while reducing exam stress. Whether your child is preparing for GCSEs, A-Levels, or entrance exams, or end of term tests these practical tips can make a significant difference in their performance and overall well-being. Before hiring a tutor check that you have all these tips covered.

1. Prioritise Focus Over Hours

Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to revision. Many students believe that spending hours staring at a book equates to effective studying, but without concentration, this time can be wasted. Short, focused study sessions of around 25–40 minutes, followed by a 5–10-minute break, can be far more productive than endless hours of passive reading. The key is active engagement—taking notes, summarising information, and testing oneself.

Minimising distractions is essential. Mobile phones and social media can significantly disrupt focus, so consider putting the phone in another room or using apps like Offtime and Forest to block distractions. Some students benefit from background noise, like instrumental music or white noise, while others need complete silence. Experimenting with different focus techniques can help students find their optimal study conditions.

2. Use Past Papers Effectively

Past papers are one of the most valuable revision tools available. They help students familiarise themselves with the format and types of questions they will encounter in their exams, reducing anxiety and improving confidence. Working through past papers under timed conditions is a great way to refine time management and identify areas that need improvement.

Many exam boards for GCSE and A-level such as Edexcel, AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas provide free access to past papers and mark schemes on their websites. For entrance exam papers refer to our dedicated page with hundreds of past papers. Reviewing mark schemes is just as important as completing the papers, as it helps students understand how marks are awarded and what examiners look for in responses. Additionally, self-marking or discussing answers with a tutor or teacher can highlight common mistakes and areas for further revision.

3. Create a Balanced Revision Timetable

A well-structured revision timetable is essential for covering all subjects and avoiding last-minute cramming. Many students tend to revise subjects they enjoy or find easier, neglecting weaker areas. A balanced timetable ensures that all topics receive adequate attention. Planning revision in advance also reduces stress and makes the workload feel more manageable.

Mornings are often the best time for tackling difficult subjects since concentration levels are at their peak. Encourage students to mix subjects throughout the day to maintain variety and interest. For example, pairing a more challenging subject like Maths with a preferred subject like English can keep motivation high. Using apps like My Study Life or pen-and-paper planners can help students stick to their schedules.

4. Incorporate Rewards and Breaks

Revision can be mentally draining, and students need to look after their well-being during exam season. Scheduling rewards and enjoyable activities can make the process less overwhelming and provide motivation to stick to a study plan. A simple reward system—such as a favourite snack after completing a study session, or an hour of free time after a productive afternoon—can make a big difference.

Breaks should also be planned strategically. Short breaks every 30–40 minutes help prevent fatigue, and longer breaks for socialising, exercise, or relaxation can improve focus in the long run. Encouraging activities like a walk in the park, a trip to the cinema, or even just listening to music can help students recharge and return to their studies feeling refreshed.

5. Consider Personalised Support

For students struggling with certain subjects or topics, personalised tuition can provide the extra support needed to boost confidence and improve performance. A tutor can identify weak areas, provide tailored explanations, and offer strategies to approach difficult questions. This is particularly useful for students aiming for top grades or those who experience exam anxiety.

Many students waste valuable time during exam leave struggling with concepts they do not understand. A few one-to-one sessions with a tutor can clear up confusion quickly and allow students to focus on effective revision. Whether in-person or online, professional tutoring provides structured guidance and personalised feedback, making study time more efficient.

6. Use Effective Study Tools

The right study tools can make revision more engaging and effective. Colourful notes, highlighters, flashcards, and mind maps help students organise information visually, which can enhance memory retention. Flashcard apps like Anki or Quizlet are particularly useful for quick recall of key concepts and definitions.

Encouraging neat and organised notes can also make revisiting material easier. Some students find that rewriting and condensing notes helps reinforce their understanding. Others benefit from voice recordings or summary videos. Finding the right tools that suit an individual’s learning style can significantly enhance revision efficiency.

7. Take Regular, Structured Breaks

Research suggests that studying in short, focused sessions with regular breaks enhances concentration and retention. The Pomodoro Technique—25 minutes of study followed by a 5-minute break—is a popular and effective approach. Longer study sessions should include a 10–15-minute break every hour to prevent mental fatigue.

Physical activity during breaks can boost brain function and reduce stress. Encourage students to go for a walk, do some stretching, or engage in a quick workout. Even a change of scenery, such as stepping outside for fresh air, can improve focus when they return to their studies. Avoiding excessive screen time during breaks is also recommended to prevent eye strain and mental exhaustion.

8. Identify Your Child’s Learning Style

Every student learns differently, and understanding their preferred learning style can enhance revision efficiency. Some students are visual learners and benefit from diagrams, mind maps, and colour-coded notes. Others are auditory learners who remember information better by listening to recordings or discussing topics aloud. Kinesthetic learners, who learn best through hands-on activities, might find interactive exercises, writing summaries, or using a whiteboard more effective.

Encouraging students to experiment with different learning techniques can help them discover what works best. For example, recording themselves explaining a topic and listening back to it can be helpful for auditory learners, while using spaced repetition flashcards can be beneficial for those who need frequent recall practice.

9. Explore Group Revision and Courses

While some students prefer studying alone, others benefit from collaborative learning. Group revision sessions can be a great way to reinforce knowledge through discussion and peer teaching. Explaining a concept to someone else is one of the most effective ways to solidify understanding.

Revision courses, either in-person or online, provide structured support and expert guidance. These courses often focus on exam technique, helping students develop the skills needed to answer questions effectively under timed conditions. If your child enjoys learning in a group setting, a revision course may be a good investment.

10. Have an Exam-Day Strategy

A well-prepared exam strategy can make a significant difference in performance. Encourage students to get a good night’s sleep before their exam, eat a nutritious breakfast, and arrive at the exam venue with plenty of time to spare. Staying calm and confident is crucial—last-minute cramming can often do more harm than good.

Time management during the exam is key. Students should allocate their time wisely, ensuring they leave enough time to check their answers. For essay-based subjects, structuring responses before writing can help maintain clarity and coherence. In multiple-choice or short-answer questions, it’s essential to read instructions carefully and not rush through the paper.

After the exam, encourage students to move on and focus on the next subject rather than dwelling on what went wrong. Exams can be stressful, but a strong strategy can help students stay composed and perform at their best.

For additional strategies on effective revision, visit Cornell University’s Learning Strategies Center and North Carolina State University’s Study Skills Resources.

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Designed as a gateway to esteemed medical courses at select universities, the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) demands meticulous preparation and strategic planning, much like that of other critical exams students may have prepared for. Through this guide, we are offering insights, tips and resources to support UCAT exam preparation and empower students during this pivotal stage in their academic and professional journey.

Understanding the UCAT Exam

The UCAT exam is a standardised test that is designed to assess the qualities students are expected to possess for a successful career in healthcare, like their personal behaviours and attitude, as well as their cognitive ability. 

The test is completed electronically and is made up of five sections including verbal reasoning (the format of which many students will be familiar with if they sat the 11 plus exam), quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning, decision making and a situational judgement test (‘SJT’).

Which Universities Require Students to Sit the UCAT Exam?

At the time of writing, there are 44 universities in the UK that require students to sit the UCAT exam should they want to secure a place on a medical course. A few universities previously required BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test) exam results to support an application, however this exam format is being discontinued from this year onwards, so just the UCAT will remain.

The nature of applications themselves may vary among individual universities and continue to evolve over time. With that in mind, we recommend any students considering sitting the UCAT exam should also review the specific course guidelines for the universities they are applying for to ensure they are equipped with the key information to support an application. The following universities currently require applicants to sit the UCAT exam to be considered for a coveted place on their medical courses:

• University of Aberdeen 
• Anglia Ruskin University
• Aston University
• Bangor University
• University of Birmingham 
• Brighton & Sussex Medical School
• University of Bristol 
• Brunel University London
• University of Cambridge (this institution previously required the BMAT exam)
• Cardiff University
• University of Central Lancashire
• University of Chester
• University of Dundee
• Edge Hill University
• University of East Anglia
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Exeter 
• University of Glasgow 
• Hull York Medical School
• Imperial College London
• Keele University
• Kent and Medway Medical School
• King’s College London
• Lancaster University
• University of Leeds (this institution previously required the BMAT exam)
• University of Leicester 
• University of Liverpool 
• University of Manchester 
• University of Newcastle 
• University of Nottingham 
• University of Oxford (this institution previously required the BMAT exam) 
• Plymouth University
• Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry (part of the Queen Mary University of London)
• Queen’s University Belfast
• University of Sheffield 
• University of Southampton 
• University of St Andrews 
• St George’s, University of London
• University of Sunderland 
• University College London (this institution previously required the BMAT exam)
• University of Warwick 
• University of Worcester

Select universities in Australia and New Zealand also require students to sit the UCAT exam should they wish to enrol in medical courses. At the time of writing, this applies to 15 universities across Australia and 2 universities in New Zealand. 

Bookings for the UCAT exam in the UK typically open in late Spring and the exam itself is sat during the Summer and beginning of the Autumn term. Australia and New Zealand follow similar time frames but as their seasons and term dates differ from the UK, applications tend to open around March and the exam is sat between June – August.

Any students considering applying for international study should bear this in mind and contact the admissions team at their chosen universities to confirm whether UCAT results are required and the key timelines for international applicants.

Additional Preparation: A-Levels, Interviews & UCAS

In addition to the UCAT exam, there are two additional criteria students will be assessed on before being offered a place through UCAS. The first is A-Level exam performance and the second is their UCAS application itself and follow up university interviews. Fortunately, both of these are areas a private tutor can support with to help students excel during the application process.

UCAT Exam Practice

In the lead up to the UCAT exam itself, private tutors can provide invaluable support to students so the process feels comfortable and familiar by the time they sit the test. 

Our tutors are no strangers to the UCAT exam and format so they are equipped to develop effective strategies for tackling each section of the exam, provide practice questions and mock exam environments and offer constructive feedback to help students improve their performance ahead of the real thing.

A-Level Exam Preparation 

Projected and actual results are taken into consideration when universities give offers to prospective students, so it is important for students to be prepared and confident going into their A-Level exams.

Private tutors can support students in the leadup to A-Level exams by providing targeted support and guidance for a range of subjects, including those relevant to a student’s path in medicine, such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths. Whether a student is struggling with complex concepts or simply looking to enhance their understanding and exam technique, our expert tutors will tailor their teaching approach to suit each individual’s needs. They can offer one-on-one tuition, review past papers and provide additional resources to supplement students’ learning so they are set up for success.

UCAS Applications & Personal Statements 

A student’s UCAT score is taken into consideration alongside their UCAS application for medical and dental courses so it is imperative that the UCAS application is polished and really brings to life a student’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities and any relevant work or personal experiences.

At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, the specialist tutors we work with are well versed in crafting compelling and standout personal statements that help students secure coveted university places. We can work with students to submit a UCAS application and personal statement that showcases their passion for medicine or dentistry, highlights their experience to date and leaves a long-lasting impression on the admissions team.

University Interviews

With a stellar UCAS application submitted and UCAT exam results in-hand, students can turn their attention to university interviews. While the interview process will vary across different institutions and for different courses, tutors can offer valuable insights into what admissions tutors are looking for and help students to present themselves in the best possible light.

Equally, tutors can support students by helping them to familiarise themselves with common interview questions and practising their responses in a mock interview environment that help students to feel more confident and articulate during the actual interviews.

Key Milestones for UCAT Exam Applicants

Whether students are hoping to sit the UCAT exam this summer or they are getting ahead and thinking about the UCAT exam from 2025 onwards, there are some important milestones to take into consideration.

Registration opens

Typically, new candidates looking to sit the UCAT exam in the UK can create a UCAT account from early May. This is the first step to be completed ahead of booking the test itself and registrations are completed using the Pearson VUE system.

For those who have not come across Pearson VUE before, they are an international testing company that provides exams for a variety of purposes. Students or parents of students who have sat the LNAT exam may be familiar with the Pearson VUE registration process already but it is quite straight forward. 

To register for a UCAT account, applicants will need to provide a valid form of photo ID that meets the UCAT identification policy requirements. The ID must show the applicant’s legal name and be the form of identification they intend to present on the day of the exam itself.

Booking and sitting the UCAT exam

In 2024, booking for the UCAT 2024 opens on 18 June from 6am BST. Those planning to sit the exam can register before this point but will not be able to book the test itself until this date. 

The exam window itself then begins on 8th July 2024 and runs until 26th September 2024 so students can book their test at a time and date that best suits them within this period.

Registration for a UCAT account and test bookings themselves will close on 19th September 2024, a week prior to the final test date.

Receiving results

Students will receive their UCAT exam results straight away as the test is computerised. This means students should have a clear idea of how they measure up to other students and whether they meet their chosen university’s entry requirements before submitting UCAS applications. 

UCAT will share results with your chosen universities automatically so once you’ve completed your UCAT exam and UCAS application, there is no need to do anything further with the results. 

The UCAT exam can only be sat once per academic year and results are valid for the upcoming UCAS admissions cycle (for example, results from those sitting the exam in 2024 will be valid for the 2025 UCAS admissions cycle only). 

If for any reason the exam doesn’t go as planned and you get unexpected results that don’t meet the needs of your chosen course, there is the option to retake the UCAT the following year and defer entry. Otherwise there are also a number of other paths available.

Do note that UCAT application and exam dates vary year on year, so if you are not applying in 2024, it is worth checking the UCAT website when you’re ready to apply in case timelines have shifted. 

Preparation for the UCAT exam requires careful planning but equipped with key information, timelines and the support of private tutors when needed, students can maximise their chances of success and confidently approach the next phase of their journey towards a career in medicine or dentistry. 

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Useful resources:

• Understanding Your UCAT Results: A guide outlining the average scores over the past 8-years so you can understand how you measure up to other candidates.
• Booking your UCAT test: If and when you’re ready to book your UCAT exam, you can do so here.

The post A Tutor’s Guide to Preparing for the UCAT Exam appeared first on Hampstead and Frognal Tutors.

The 11 Plus is an entrance exam used by grammar schools and select independent schools across the country to assess the academic potential of pupils in year 6 before they enter secondary education. 

For state grammar school applicants, the 11 Plus exam is typically sat early in the autumn term and independent school exams are usually sat between October and January of year 6.

The 11 Plus exam is not standardised, so schools across the nation will test in different ways and will in turn have different pass rates, however most exams tend to assess the following:

• Numerical reasoning – to assess a student’s mathematics capabilities
• Non-verbal reasoning (NVR) –  to test a pupil’s ability to analyse visual information, like shapes, pictures or diagrams to solve problems.
• Verbal reasoning – uses written passages to measure a student’s understanding of language and ability to form reason and logical answers.
• English – assesses comprehension and ability to use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling through a creative writing task.

Some independent schools, such as Harrow, Eton College and Westminster School, also have their own standardised 11 Plus assessment in place designed to measure a student’s ability and attainment. This is called the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) Common Pre-Test and results determine whether a student will then be invited to sit the Common Entrance for that specific school in Year 8. 

There is no specific assessment date for the ISEB but it is typically sat in year 6 or year 7 and will be run by the child’s school or at home. 

How To Prepare Your Child For The 11 Plus Exam

As every school has its own assessment criteria and pass rate, it can be worth checking with prospective schools in advance of sitting the exam to best understand timelines and any specific skills that pupils will be assessed on.

Every child is different and will learn at their own pace but (if feasible) we recommend starting exam prep 12-months prior to the 11 Plus. Some skills, like verbal-reasoning, may be unfamiliar to children, whereas other skills they will already have a firm grasp on but may be thrown by the exam format so it’s good to start preparing as early as possible.

Some schools may offer support for 11 Plus exam preparation from Year 5 but as the 11 Plus is not mandatory and some families opt out of their child sitting the exam, this does not apply to all schools, so it falls to parents to help their children prepare in their own time.

Fortunately, there are a number of excellent resources and tools available to help equip children with the skills and confidence they need to excel in their 11 Plus exams.

Practice Papers

One of the most common and easily-accessible resources available is 11 Plus practice papers. These can be bought easily online and from select stores like Waterstones and WH Smiths and allow your children to familiarise themselves with the style of questions they’ll see in the real exam.  

A bonus of using practice papers is that you can replicate a timed exam environment at home and use the results to gauge whether your child has any areas for improvement and if they’re able to get the results needed for entry to your preferred grammar or independent school. Links to practice papers can be found in our useful resources section at the end of this post.

Engaging an 11 Plus Tutor

At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, we want to make senior school applications as simple and stress-free as possible. Our team of expert tutors have guided hundreds of families through the 11 Plus exam process and we know better than anyone that each student is unique. While some will benefit from a few intensive 11 Plus sessions, some may require longer-term support. 

Our tutors will help identify your child’s individual learning style and implement a bespoke programme of tuition to equip them not only with the skills they need but also with confidence in an exam environment so they are mentally prepared and can excel when the time comes. 

Reading at home

Whether or not a child is sitting the 11 Plus exam, reading at home is always encouraged to help with literacy skills and helping develop a child’s vocabulary. Reading regularly in the lead up to the 11 Plus exam can help strengthen the skills they need for the English element of the test in a more relaxed and engaging format than typical exam preparation.

Encourage writing at home

The 11 Plus exam will assess a child’s grammar, vocabulary and spelling so practising with creative writing tasks at home can be helpful. This could be something as simple as encouraging them to write a short story but provides an opportunity for children to practise the skills needed for the exam and inspire their creativity.

Managing Exam Anxiety

All the preparation in the world can be futile if children aren’t prepared mentally and emotionally for an exam environment as nerves, stress and anxiety can play a huge role in exam performance.

There are, however, plenty of techniques to help parents understand the causes, signs and coping techniques to help manage 11 plus exam anxiety and better a child’s chances of success when they sit their 11 Plus exam. 

Many parents have a clear vision in mind when it comes to their child’s secondary education, meaning both parents and children worry about the 11 Plus exam but, with the help of one of our specialised 11 Plus tutors, it really needn’t be a concern. 

For us it’s important to take the time to understand families and parents’ ambitions for their children. Contact us for more information and our 11 Plus tutors will work with you to establish what is required to raise your child’s academic attainment so we can provide you with the best tuition services and advice to support and invest in your children’s future.

Useful resources

• 11 Plus Exam practise papers
• Find out more about applying for secondary school and the assessment criteria.

The post The Tutor’s Guide To Preparing for the 11 Plus Exam appeared first on Hampstead and Frognal Tutors.

The LNAT was developed as a fair way to assess students’ potential to study law at undergraduate level. As many students won’t have had exposure to law as a subject in secondary school or sixth form, it can be a daunting process, so preparation for the exam is crucial. 

To simplify matters, we have laid out some of the need-to-knows about the LNAT to help you get started but we have specialised LNAT tutors with a wealth of experience preparing teenagers for the exam, and all have impressive track records.

What is the LNAT?

The LNAT exam is sat every year by prospective law students entering into higher education in the UK. Other countries may have their own variants of this (like the LSATs in the US) but ultimately these tests are intended to gauge a student’s intellectual ability rather than their existing legal knowledge. The LNAT will measure critical verbal reasoning skills that form the foundation of  a legal education, including: 

• Comprehension
• Interpretation
• Analysis
• Induction
• Synthesis
• Deduction

Alongside UCAS applications, admissions interviews and A-Level results, the LNAT is intended to give admissions teams a more rounded impression of a student’s aptitude and ability to study law.  

What does the LNAT exam involve?

The LNAT assessment is 2 ¼ hours and is divided into two parts. The first is a 95-minute multiple-choice section based on twelve argumentative passages and the second is an essay writing section that requires students to argue a case and draw on a wide range of topics. 

Within section two, students will be able to choose from one of three essay questions to best demonstrate their ability to discuss and debate a case before coming to a robust conclusion. This section is 40-minutes in length and will require students to have a strong command of written English. 

Our LNAT tutors thoroughly prepare teenagers for both elements of the test, honing in on areas of improvement and polishing existing skills.

Past papers and targeted one-to-one discussions form the basis of our tuition. Tutors also keep a close eye on their students’ progress through regular testing, reading recommendations and they engage teenagers in debates about current affairs and legal issues. 

What do I need to prepare for the LNAT?

First and foremost, check application dates! Each university will have specific dates and requirements so it’s important to wrap your head around these well in advance so you’re able to sit the test and submit an application in plenty of time. Timelines are typically as follows:

August

Registration for the LNAT exam opens in August for admissions for the following academic year and you must sit the test in the UCAS year in which you are applying to study. To give an example, registration for the LNAT in August 2023 would be for entry into a university from September 2024.

September – January

Generally, LNAT testing begins in September, a year prior to admission and runs until the end of January.

Oxbridge typically requires applicants to have sat their exam and submitted UCAS applications by mid-October, and the London School of Economics calls for submissions by  the end of December.

Late LNAT admissions

Late admissions are accepted up until June, however we encourage all applicants to sit their exam well in advance to ensure applications can be considered by university admissions boards.

LNAT Fees

Test fees are determined by an applicant’s test centre location, not on place of residence or nationality. At the time of writing, there is a fee of 75 GBP to sit the exam within the EU and 120 GBP to do so outside of the EU. 

For candidates that may struggle to fund their LNAT test, there is an LNAT bursary scheme available but this can take up to a week to process and must be applied for prior to booking the exam. Some students in the UK and EU receiving state benefits may also be eligible for test fees to be waived but this should also be checked in advance of booking your test.

When will I get my LNAT results?

Results are not as simple as a ‘pass’ or a ‘fail’ and are primarily for the benefit of universities to use alongside A Level results and UCAS applications to inform admissions decisions.  

Candidates will receive their results via email but the date will be dependent on when they  sat their LNAT exam.

• Students that take the exam in the September to January period will have their results emailed to them by mid-February.
• Candidates taking the test after the end of January will receive their results in mid August.

Can I resit the LNAT exam?

Candidates may only sit the LNAT once between 1st September and 31st July of the following year, although exceptions are occasionally made in cases of extenuating circumstances. 

Therefore applicants cannot resit the exam until the following academic year and results cannot be carried over from one year to the next, so it’s important for students to be prepared.

Our specialised LNAT tutors can help prepare you for the exam

University admissions tests can be a source of stress and anxiety for teenagers and parents alike, especially as the format doesn’t allow students to approach revision in the same way they would for core subjects. 

At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors, our team includes a number of full-time law tutors, Oxbridge graduates, legal professionals and teachers at leading private schools, all equipped to help students finesse their skills and approach the LNAT with confidence. Our tutors also attend regular training sessions to ensure they remain up-to-date with any changes to the LNAT syllabus and can support other aspects of university applications, such as personal statements and Oxbridge interviews. 

We know all students are unique; some will benefit from a few intensive revision sessions, some will require longer-term support and some will thrive in online tutoring sessions. Our tutors will help identify a student’s individual learning style and implement a bespoke programme of tuition to equip them with strong essay writing, problem-solving and verbal reasoning skills so they are prepared for anything the paper might throw at them.

Useful resources

• Sample tests can be found here 
• Locate your nearest LNAT test centre here

The post A Tutor’s Essential Guide to the LNAT Exam appeared first on Hampstead and Frognal Tutors.

Many young people will have spent the past year, if not longer, preparing for the upcoming 11 Plus exams meaning children, tutors and parents alike are more than au fait with the likes of verbal reasoning practice papers. The summer holidays mark the “home stretch” of revision as well as a much-needed period of relaxation before the exams and the start of a new school year but for some, the sense of exam anxiety will linger.

Nerves, stress and anxiety can play a huge role in exam performance, meaning all the preparation in the world can be futile if children aren’t prepared mentally and emotionally for an exam environment. In this post we aim to help you understand the causes, signs and coping techniques to help ease your child’s nerves and better their chances of success when they sit their 11 Plus.

So What Triggers 11 Plus Exam Anxiety?

Exam or test anxiety is quite a common form of stress that occurs before, during and sometimes after exams. It is commonly triggered by:

• A feeling of unpreparedness in the lead up to exams
• Excess pressure to succeed or fear of disappointing others – either stemming from self-placed pressure or from family and teachers
• A feeling of inadequacy 

It can also be triggered by less obvious factors, like the manifestation of emotions following a big life transition. Whatever the reason, exam anxiety can take its toll mentally, emotionally and physically, which doesn’t put young people in good stead for a high-pressure exam environment. Spotting and managing stress can be crucial to your child’s success.

Tell Tale Signs That Your Child May Be Struggling With Exam Anxiety

You know your child better than anyone so will likely be able to spot if their behaviour is different than normal and establish whether something may be playing on their mind, like 11 plus exam anxiety. But a few tell tale signs to look out for include:

• A short temper or notably more irritable than usual
• Uncharacteristically quiet or withdrawn
• Skin breakouts or rashes
• A shift in appetite – either comfort eating or a sudden disinterest in food
• Nail biting or teeth grinding
• Difficulty sleeping
• Frequent use of negative language like ‘stupid’ or ‘rubbish’ to refer to themselves, eluding to a feeling of inadequacy
• Actively avoiding school

How can Parents Help Manage The Stress and Prepare Children For An Exam Environment?

Building up the knowledge and skills a child needs to confidently sit the 11 Plus takes time but implementing the following techniques can be done quickly and easily to help them manage exam stress, nervousness and anxiety, and put them in good stead for September. 

In The Lead Up to the 11 Plus Exam

Promote healthy study habits

We all want the best for our children so there can be a tendency among parents to overdo it with practice papers and excess revision, which only feeds into the stress and pressure to do well. Simple changes like the below will help promote healthy study and balance, setting your child up for success.

Take regular breaks

Ensure there are regular opportunities for breaks from study to give them time to reset an unwind in between papers.

Encourage exercise

This could be anything from a short walk outdoors to a very active sport like tennis but encouraging exercise can help boost energy levels, clear the mind and alleviate stress. Group activities that provide an opportunity to interact with others are particularly positive during a stressful period. 

Adapt to your child’s learning style

Some children find it easier to study with background music on or in an environment with natural background noise, where others prefer silence. Either way, remember to be flexible to your child’s individual learning style.

Keep practising

You’ll likely have been doing practice papers with your child for a while now but one additional measure to consider is giving your child the opportunity to do practice papers in a timed and silent environment. That way, your child won’t be unfamiliar with exam conditions and subject to additional stress when the 11 Plus comes around.

Positive reinforcement

This is a tip that should carry throughout the exam process. Children experiencing exam anxiety are more likely to manage their stress if they feel supported by parents, tutors and teachers.

Express yourself

Encourage your child to talk openly about how they’re feeling in the lead up to the 11 Plus. Expressing their feelings can help them to rationalise their nerves and gives you the opportunity to tackle matters head on and offer advice to help minimise their anxiety. If they find it difficult to express themselves verbally, encouraging them to write down a couple of lines about their concerns, or draw something that visualises their feelings can help as a first step.

Meditate

There are a lot of useful resources online that explain the best breathing techniques to self-soothe and calm nerves during stressful periods. Practising these with your child in the lead up to exams can be hugely beneficial as they can then implement these techniques and manage stress if nerves kick in in a test environment.

On 11 Plus Exam Day

On the day of the 11 Plus exam, children may need to venture outside of their beloved Coco Pops and have a more balanced breakfast that will sustain them throughout the exam. There’s not much that can be done by way of revision on the journey to school but there are lots of opportunities to give your child positive reminders that will help ease their nerves:

Remind children of their strengths

There’s no use in a child dwelling on the areas they feel less confident but pointing out the areas they excel in may help give them a confidence boost going into the exam.

Give a good luck charm

If possible, give your child a small good luck charm to take into their exam with them. Although there may not be a science behind good luck charms, having a token of good luck can help to increase confidence and self-belief during an exam. It also acts as a reminder that you’re thinking of them which is equally important.

Show your pride

It may sound obvious but remind your child that you’re proud of them regardless of how the test goes. This may sound obvious but as parents we often get caught up in wanting our children to do well that this simple step gets forgotten and the great weight of high expectations can often play a role mentally and affect exam performance. Helping to lift some of that pressure will in turn help alleviate 11 plus exam anxiety.

Use remaining time wisely

Remind children to re-read questions and answers if they have time to spare at the end.

A helpful reminder

Remind children that everyone finishes at different times but finishing slower doesn’t translate to poor performance.

After The 11 Plus Exam Is Done

Once the exam is over, the wait for results begins and that in itself can be just as nerve wracking. If your child is upset after the exam, take the opportunity to talk through the areas they feel they may have gone wrong so you can talk them through how to tackle future exams. This also allows you to identify areas where they might need the support of a tutor in future.

The end of the last exam is also a good time to remind your children and yourselves that dwelling on performance won’t help matters and if things haven’t gone to plan, that doesn’t mean the end of the line. 

The biggest thing you can do to relax your child(ren) after their last exam is to praise them for having done their best (because ultimately that’s the most important thing) and try to mark the end of the exams as a celebration to end this period on a positive note.

Useful resources:

Meditation techniques to self-calm during exams

Suggested breakfasts for exam day

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