26th May 2023

How to Support Students This Exam Season

Exam season can be an extremely stressful time for both teachers and students. However, it’s important for teachers to know how to support their students throughout the exam season as this can be a challenging period for teenagers.

For GCSE students, the minimum number of subjects you are asked to take is five, most students choose between nine and ten different subjects. In England and Wales, students must take GCSE Maths, GCSE Science and GCSE English language. At A-Level, most students will study two or three subjects and take at least three exams, meaning there is lots of stress on students ahead of exams due to there being lots to revise for.

Tips for supporting students this exam season:

1. Encourage, support and be flexible

As a teacher, you are a role model and students will look up to you, your words of encouragement and encouraging actions will help the students and have the power to motivate them to succeed, especially during exam season. Keep communication open with your students, having strong communication with your students will help them feel more comfortable to ask questions. If they are asking questions, then they are learning!

2. Time Management with a revision timetable

Students may struggle with time management so helping them to create a revision timetable will give them a chance to effectively organise their work, and plan when they will revise certain subjects. Getting your students to create a calendar, setting reminders or helping them build a personalised schedule are all great ways to efficiently plan to ensure that they are coping with revision.

3. Give constructive feedback 

Ensure that you are giving students constructive feedback that explains where and how they could improve in a positive way, and make sure not to just focus on the grades and results. Students tend to find the focus on grades debilitating, so focusing more on giving the students regular and constructive feedback can be a more effective way of improving their work.

4. emphasisE the importance of self-care 

Remind your students to set time aside to relax in order to recharge their batteries. It’s vital for students to practice self-care and to have free time so that they can reduce stress, avoid burnout and keep healthy in the buildup to their exams. Although revising is important, you should make them understand that taking some free time is also necessary as they will burn out without breaks. Doing a hobby or going for a twenty-minute walk can help students to refresh, re-engage and recharge their batteries, this can be extremely helpful for students in the build-up to exams.

If you want more tips on helping students prepare for exams, check out our blog on MOCK exam preparation!

If you’re looking to get into teaching, check out our vacancies, or register your interest with us here. Alternatively, if you’re looking to become an exam invigilator, this exam season, click here.