With careful preparation in advance and a well-thought-out study plan, getting ready for an exam can be a stress-free experience. Make sure you have the right resources and support to help guide you ahead of every test. The British Council offers all the support you need to prepare for the GCE, IGCSE, AS Level and A-Level exams.
Where to find study material?
Prepare for your exams with a combination of subject specific learner guides and past papers. Various study resources can be found on the Cambridge International website and the Pearson Edexcel website.
Making sense of your resources
Two months before your exams, make sure you have the most up-to-date syllabus and find out whether test questions will be multiple choice or essay-based. Where possible, you should also understand which exams will make up the biggest percentage of your grade and which sections from the syllabus will be prioritised in each exam.
Once you have gathered all the relevant information, create a timetable that ensures you have enough time to revise for every section of every exam. Spend more time on the parts of each exam that will give you the most marks. You should use past papers to help you understand what to expect from each exam and track your progress as you get closer to your exam date.
Prepare for exam day
One month before your exam, make sure you know exactly when and where you will be writing so you can prepare travel arrangements. Being on time and having logistics organised can prevent a lot of stress on the day of your exam.
One night before your exam, make sure you get to sleep early and avoid studying new sections of the syllabus. At this point, you should only be revising. Prepare to have a healthy breakfast in the morning and try breathing exercises to stay calm ahead of your exam.
During the test, be sure to read every question carefully before you answer. If you feel stuck or unsure about a question, move on to the next question and return to the section once you have completed everything else.
After your exam, try to keep in mind that you did your best and avoid dwelling on what your final mark may be. Move on to the next subject and continue to be disciplined in your approach to revision.
Reach out to the British Council if you have any questions ahead of your UK international exams!