With students across the UK, and internationally, preparing for the 2017 exam season, Adam Caller, whose career in education and private tutoring spans over 25 years, reported his top exam revision tips this week.
Tutors International has placed private full-time tutors students and their families all over the world, preparing for a wide range of exams. “Whether a student is working towards GCSEs, SATs, A-Levels, the IB, college admissions tests or university examinations, there are definitely some clear ‘rules of thumb’ in exam revision and preparation that we have seen to be very successful, for parents as well as for students.”
Tutors International have been placing full-time tutors with UHNW families since 1999, and have extensive experience in most curricula, successfully prepping students for Ivy League colleges and Oxford and Cambridge. To have the best chance of exam success, the tried and testing strategy from Tutors International includes these recommendations:
• Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you are working too hard - You can never be over-prepared for an exam.
• Last minute revision is just as valuable and relevant as revision undertaken months in advance – keep going right up until exam day.
• Revise alone, rather than in groups, or with friends – Individual students learn and absorb information at different rates, so it’s common for some students to be held back by others, or pushed through certain topics before they’ve absorbed all of the detail.
• Eat, sleep, study – Scale back all hobbies and social activities for at least two weeks prior to exams. Tiring your body and mind out with physical activity or late nights will make it difficult to maintain a solid study routine.
• Operate on a ‘work’ schedule – You’re ‘working’ for your exams. Take two or three breaks over the course of a day, about 45 minutes each, and use that time to eat, rest, and refuel. Try not to undertake anything mentally taxing during break times; go and sit in the park, away from traffic and bustle, or listen to some music.
• Eat sensibly – Slow release energy foods are best, with no sugary snacks, fizzy or energy drinks, or caffeine. Drink plenty of water or herbal tea and take a vitamin if you feel run-down.
• Create a timetable and stick to it as much as possible – Some flexibility may be necessary to ensure you dedicate more time to subjects you finding more taxing, but a clear schedule is key.
• Your study schedule should mirror your exam timetable – If your exams will mostly be taking place in the mornings, make sure your mornings in the run up are spent studying. If you’re expecting a full day of exams, allocate a full day to preparation.
• Parents, give your children space – Whilst exam times can also be stressful for parents and siblings, booking activities or family outings to take your child’s mind off exams is likely to be counterproductive. Offer support, but don’t tell them they are working too hard. Feed them their favourite foods, and try to minimise the family’s stress, during this short (but critical) time.
Mr Caller added: “Exam time can be highly stressful for students and their families. Nailing down a strict and effective revision timetable can seem like a daunting prospect for many, and it is easy for some students to become burnt out and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information they need to absorb in a relatively short space of time. However, with the right strategy, mindset, and support systems in place, we have seen students from all over the world thrive under the pressure, and reap the rewards on results day. Tutors International is happy to hear from individual families looking for advice during critical study periods.”
Tutors International are currently receiving enquiries and applications for the January 2018 semester, stressing that an early start to the recruitment process ensures that clients are able to secure the academic support and preparation they need prior to the next exam season.
To find out more about the services offered by Tutors International, including exam support, visit tutors-international.com.
