Exam Day Strategies

This is the most important lesson in your practice papers course. Everything you have revised comes down to one day — and being prepared for that day can make a real difference to your score.

---

The Week Before the Exam

What to Do

Day	Activity
7 days before	Do one final full practice paper under timed conditions
5–6 days before	Review your weakest topics — but do not try to learn anything completely new
3–4 days before	Light revision only — read through your notes and key vocabulary lists
2 days before	Prepare everything you need (see checklist below)
1 day before	No revision! Relax, do something enjoyable, and go to bed early

What NOT to Do

• Do not try to cram the night before — it will make you tired and anxious
• Do not stay up late watching screens — blue light disrupts sleep
• Do not skip meals — your brain needs fuel
• Do not compare yourself to others — focus on your own preparation

---

The Night Before

Packing Checklist

Prepare your bag the evening before so you are not rushing in the morning.

Item	Why you need it
2 sharp pencils (HB)	For marking answers on the answer sheet
A good eraser	In case you need to change an answer cleanly
A pencil sharpener	In case your pencil breaks
A clear water bottle	Staying hydrated helps your brain work
A watch (no smart features)	To track your time during the exam
Your admission letter/details	So you know where to go and what time to arrive
A small snack (for afterwards)	Something to look forward to!

Sleep

• Aim for 9–10 hours of sleep
• Go to bed at your normal time — do not go too early or you may lie awake worrying
• If you feel nervous, try slow, deep breathing: breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4, breathe out for 4
• Remember: one night of slightly poor sleep will NOT ruin your exam — your preparation matters much more

---

Exam Morning

Morning Routine

Time	What to do
Wake up	Give yourself plenty of time — do not rush
Eat breakfast	Something filling but not too heavy — porridge, toast, or cereal
Drink water	Start hydrating early
Check your bag	Make sure everything is packed
Leave early	Arrive at least 15 minutes before the exam starts
Stay positive	Tell yourself: "I have prepared well. I can do this."

What to Eat

Your brain uses a lot of energy during an exam. Choose foods that release energy slowly:

Good choices	Foods to avoid
Porridge	Sugary cereals
Wholemeal toast with peanut butter	Sweets and chocolate
Banana	Energy drinks
Eggs	Nothing (skipping breakfast)
Water	Fizzy drinks

---

During the Exam

The First 2 Minutes

When the exam starts, do not dive straight into the questions. Instead:

1. Write your name and any required details on the answer sheet
2. Read the front page instructions — how many questions? How much time?
3. Plan your time — divide the total time by the number of sections
4. Take a deep breath — then begin

Time Management

Total time	Number of questions	Time per question
45 minutes	80 questions	About 34 seconds each
50 minutes	50 questions	About 1 minute each
60 minutes	40 questions	About 1.5 minutes each

Golden rule: If a question is taking too long, mark it and move on. Come back to it later.

Answering Strategies