Getting ready for the exam

Use the revision checklist and all your revision material to make sure you are as prepared as possible. Do plenty of practice with exam questions and quick quizzes.

Make sure you have all the things you need Get everything ready the night before – including all writing equipment, a calculator if you need one (and are allowed one), a water bottle, tissues if you have a sniff, and any identification you might need (candidate number if you have been given one). In the exam Give yourself time to complete the whole paper, and check through it for mistakes. Most importantly, try to stay calm Get plenty of sleep and relaxed – remember, this is your time to show off what you know! Make sure you get a good night’s sleep the night before the exam. Don’t stay up late cramming as you need time to switch off and relax before going to bed.

Arrive in plenty of time Know when and where the exam is. Get there at least 15 minutes before it starts. If your exam is in an unfamiliar part of the school and away from where you normally study, you might have to leave home a bit earlier. Don’t be distracted on the way! Don’t be tempted to do too much cramming Too much last-minute cramming can scramble your brain! You may find that being relaxed will help you recall the facts you need rather than attempting last-minute cramming, but you may also want to revise the key facts before setting off for the exam.

Set your alarm If your exam is in the morning, set an alarm or two so you have plenty of time to get to the exam. If you’re still worried about oversleeping, ask a friend or someone in your family to make sure you’re up. Keep hydrated but don’t drink too much It’s important that you stay hydrated but don’t overdo it or else you’ll be running to the toilet. Exams can make you a bit nervous too which means you might need to go to the toilet a bit more frequently. Water is best. Eat a good, healthy meal Have a good, healthy meal that you enjoy the night before the exam and a filling breakfast on the day of the exam to give you a boost ready for your exam. Getting ready for the exam SAMPLE Preparing for the exam

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