Tips for the Weeks Leading Up to Exams

Lay the Foundation

Study Strategy

• Audit your syllabus: Go through each subject's topic list and honestly rate yourself 1-5 on every topic. This gives you a clear map of where to focus.
• Build a revision timetable: Block out 6 weeks on a calendar. Assign weaker topics to earlier weeks so you revisit them multiple times.
• Gather resources: Collect past papers, textbooks, notes, and bookmark relevant Project 56 trainers for each topic.
• Set up a study space: A quiet, well-lit area with minimal distractions. Keep your phone in another room while studying.

Revision Techniques

• Cornell Notes: Summarise each topic onto a single page. Write questions in the left margin and answers on the right.
• Concept Maps: Draw connections between topics to see the bigger picture within each subject.
• Start flashcards: Create cards for key terms, formulas, and definitions. Use Project 56's built-in flashcard system with spaced repetition.

Health & Wellbeing

• Establish a consistent sleep schedule now (aim for 8-9 hours) so it's habitual by exam time.
• Begin or continue regular exercise — even 20 minutes of walking boosts memory and concentration.
• Eat balanced meals; your brain needs protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs to function well.

Deep Revision Mode

Study Strategy

• Active recall: Close your notes and try to write everything you know about a topic from memory. Then check what you missed.
• Practice questions: Start doing past paper questions topic-by-topic (not full papers yet). Focus on understanding mark schemes.
• Interleave subjects: Study 2-3 different subjects each day rather than spending a whole day on one. This strengthens long-term retention.
• Teach someone else: Explain concepts to a friend or family member. If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.

Revision Techniques

• Pomodoro sessions: 25 minutes focused study, 5 minutes break. After 4 rounds, take a 15-20 minute break.
• Command term practice: For each topic, practice "describe", "explain", "analyse", and "evaluate" style responses.
• Error journals: Keep a notebook of mistakes you make in practice questions. Review it weekly.

Health & Wellbeing

• Maintain social connections — schedule time with friends. Isolation increases stress.
• Limit caffeine to mornings only; afternoon caffeine disrupts sleep quality.
• Try 5 minutes of deep breathing or meditation before each study session to improve focus.

Full Paper Practice

Study Strategy

• Timed past papers: Do complete papers under real exam conditions — no notes, strict time limits, quiet room.
• Mark your own work: Use mark schemes to grade yourself. Identify patterns in where you lose marks.
• Focus on weak spots: Spend 60-70% of your time on topics you scored lowest on, not the ones you enjoy.
• Review your error journal: Are you making the same types of mistakes? Address the root causes.

Revision Techniques

• Brain dumps: At the start of each study session, write down everything you remember about the topic before looking at notes.
• Shrink your notes: Condense each topic to a single index card of key points, formulas, or diagrams.
• Exam technique: Practice allocating time per mark (roughly 1.5 minutes per mark in most MYP exams).

Health & Wellbeing

• Protect your sleep — this is non-negotiable. Sleep is when your brain consolidates what you studied.
• Stay hydrated: aim for 6-8 glasses of water per day. Dehydration impairs concentration.
• Do something enjoyable every day, even if only for 30 minutes. Burnout is counterproductive.

Refine and Consolidate

Study Strategy

• No new content: This is not the time to learn new topics. Focus on reinforcing what you already know.
• Quick-fire recall: Test yourself rapidly on key facts, formulas, and definitions. Use your condensed notes.
• One paper per subject: Do one final timed paper for each subject to build confidence and check your pacing.
• Review mark schemes: Re-read exemplar answers to internalise what top-scoring responses look like.

Revision Techniques

• Walk-through answers: For complex questions, outline what you'd write without writing the full answer. Saves time, builds structure.
• Formula sheets: Write out all formulas from memory. Check against your notes. Repeat until you can do it perfectly.
• Visualisation: Mentally walk through each exam — where you'll sit, how you'll start, how you'll handle a question you're unsure about.

Health & Wellbeing

• Reduce study to 3-4 hours per day maximum. Overstudying now leads to fatigue, not better grades.
• Increase physical activity — go for walks, play sport, stretch. Movement reduces exam anxiety.
• Talk to someone if you're feeling overwhelmed. Teachers, parents, or friends can help put things in perspective.

Light Review Only

Study Strategy

• Flip through summary cards: A gentle review of your condensed notes — no deep study.
• Read over key formulas and definitions once, calmly and slowly.
• Check the exam schedule: Confirm dates, times, and room locations. Know exactly where you need to be.
• Prepare your equipment: Pens (bring spares), pencils, eraser, ruler, calculator (check batteries), clear pencil case, ID if required.

Health & Wellbeing

• No late-night cramming. It does more harm than good. Your brain needs rest to perform.
• Eat a balanced dinner with protein and vegetables. Avoid heavy, greasy foods.
• Do something relaxing in the evening: watch a film, listen to music, go for a walk.
• Set two alarms for the morning so you don't worry about oversleeping.
• Lay out your clothes and pack your bag the night before.

You've Got This

Morning Routine

• Wake up with plenty of time — no rushing. Aim to be ready 30 minutes before you need to leave.
• Eat a proper breakfast: porridge, eggs, toast, fruit — something with slow-release energy. Avoid sugary cereals.
• Drink water. Bring a water bottle to the exam if allowed.
• Glance at your summary cards briefly if it helps, but don't try to memorise anything new.

During the Exam

• Read the whole paper first (2-3 minutes). Get an overview and note which questions you feel confident about.
• Start with what you know: Build momentum and confidence before tackling harder questions.
• Watch your time: Allocate minutes per mark. If you're stuck on a question for too long, move on and come back later.
• Show your working: In Maths and Science, marks are often awarded for method even if the final answer is wrong.
• Use all the time: If you finish early, check your answers. Re-read questions to make sure you answered what was actually asked.
• Stay calm: If you feel anxious, pause for 30 seconds. Take 3 deep breaths. Then refocus on the next question.

After the Exam

• Don't discuss answers with classmates immediately — it only causes worry about things you can't change.
• If you have another exam, shift focus to that subject. If not, take a proper break.
• Be kind to yourself regardless of how you think it went. One paper does not define you.