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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

• www.tutorhunt.com
• www.bbc.co.uk/learning/
• www.projectalevel.co.uk
• www.revisiontime.com
• www.s-cool.co.uk

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

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