Thu, 26 June, 2025
During your time at school, preparing for examinations becomes a frequent part of life. However, for many people once they’ve left school, examinations can become a rare occurrence. This means that a lot of people when faced with taking an exam years later find it a very daunting experience, however a lot of this stress can be reduced with the right preparations. That’s why we’ve put together these useful tips and tricks to help our candidates get back in the swing of things when it comes to preparing for their examinations.
Plan out your revision time
Life can be busy and before you know it, you are sat at a table with your exam paper in front of you. Therefore, it is important that you plan out adequate and dedicated revision time. You should also plan what you will be revising in each of your revision sessions, allowing time to revise all topics, even the ones you are more confident in.
Find a revision method that works for you
Not everyone learns in the same way, and the same is true for revising. Instead of just sitting and reading through your notes, try to use different techniques such as flashcards, answering practice questions, or even teaching the material to someone else! Perhaps try explaining the intricacies of welding inspection to your partner, or introducing your children to structural integrity using The Welding Institute’s ‘Welding with Chocolate’ activity.
Do not over-revise
‘Over-revising’ is a real thing. Studying for excessively long periods and not taking breaks can diminish your mental focus, meaning you won’t take information in as well as you usually would. It can also increase your stress levels and even cause burnout. Try to spread out your revision sessions, take regular breaks, and listen to your body when it tells you that you need to stop.
Get a good night’s sleep
Whilst work may require the odd late night reviewing radiographs or writing reports, you should try to avoid this before an exam. People often feel the need to stay up late revising the night before an exam, but this is actually counter intuitive. Sleep is crucial at all times, but especially before an exam, as it directly impacts both your cognitive and physical health. During sleep, your brain has time to process and store the information that you have taken in during the day. Once you have awoken from a good night’s sleep, your cognitive functions such as problem solving, reasoning, and attention to detail, function at a higher level.
Check the exam instructions
It is important to check a day or two in advance whether all of your exam supplies (stationary, water, etc.) will be provided or if you need to bring your own. If you will need to bring your own, it is also important to check for any rules on what you can and can’t take into the exam room.
Make sure you have eaten before the exam
Loud rumbling stomachs during an exam can be quite the distraction but this is not the only reason why you should ensure that you have eaten. Science suggests that it can even improve your exam performance! It is recommended that you consume slow-release carbohydrates for slow-release energy, along with some protein to keep you feeling full for longer.
Hydrate
Science also suggests that hydration aids in your exam performance as it increases concentration and improves memory. Make sure to check the exam guidance to see whether water will be provided during the exam or if you should bring your own, and if there are any rules surrounding what can and can’t be brought into the exam room.
Arrive for your exam early
Travel delays cannot always be predicted, so it is important that you prepare for the possibility of this as much as possible on the day of your exam. Arriving early also gives you time to both mentally and physically prepare when you arrive, which can help to reduce your stress levels and in turn increase your chances of performing well.
We hope these useful tips and tricks will help you in preparing for your future exams. Stay tuned for our next examination themed release where we discuss some useful tips to consider when taking an exam.