Whether you are sitting GCSEs or A levels, mock exams or end of year exams, having a few tips that will help you when you are told by the invigilator to turn the paper over are a good idea. These rules and tips can provide a routine and a ritual that you can apply to all exams and the more you practise them the better and easier they will be to follow. Some of them may seem obvious, and hopefully you do them all already. These are our top exam tips for GCSEs and A levels.
Our top exam tips for GCSEs and A levels
- Timing – Keep a close eye on the clock at all times. Know how much time you have left and how much time you should spend on each question. Make a quick note of the time at the beginning of each exam and put down markers about what time you should be on each section.
- Read each question carefully – and read it again if need be. Know and understand what the question is asking you to do. Don’t guess it. Stop, think and work it out. Every word in a question has been planned carefully so read the whole question and not only the words that you see first. Underline the key parts of the question if it helps.
- Attempt all questions – have a go at all questions, because you will pick up marks. This is particularly true in maths and science, but also longer written questions in other subjects. However, don’t let any questions trip you up by spending too much time on them. Have a go and move on. There are plenty more questions further on that you can answer.
- How many marks is a question worth? – This is especially important for Maths, Science, Geography, Business etc where there are a lot of short answer questions. Usually for these subjects, one mark equals one bit of information. Always look at how many marks each question has.
- Take a quick look through the paper first – This will help you to know what to expect as well as calming you down. It will also give you a chance to jot a few notes down that you will need. Then go back to the beginning and focus on the question you are answering. A lot of students start straightaway with the first questions while their minds are worrying about what is coming up.
- Be strict with your time – Don’t give too much time to one question and not enough time to another, particularly in subjects like English, History and RE. It is better to answer all questions imperfectly than a few questions perfectly and miss others out.
- See it as a challenge – An exam is meant to challenge you and test you. If possible enjoy the exam and rise to the challenge. This is what you have been putting all those hours in to revising. They are the fruits of your hard word work.
There are also a few practical tips to make sure that your exams go as smoothly as possible and you are feeling good:
- Good night’s sleep – switch off the night before each exam at a good time and get a good night’s sleep.
- Be on time – set an extra layer of wake up calls and/or alarms.
- Check your equipment the day before – black pens, ruler, calculator etc. You don’t want to be the person with the leaky, black pen.
- Go to the toilet – before each exam.
- Eat before your exams – breakfast if a morning exam, lunch if an afternoon exam.
- Stay hydrated – studies have shown that drinking water helps you to perform better. Take a bottle of water (without the label on) into the exam with you.
These are our top exam tips for GCSEs and A levels. Good luck in your exams!
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