How to Help Your Child Prepare for School Exams

Watching your child navigate exam season can feel stressful for both of you. Whether they're facing their first Year 6 SATs, preparing for GCSE mocks, or revising for A-Levels, you want to help but might not know where to start. Even internal school exams are important practice for these milestones and need to be taken seriously.

The good news? You don't need to be an expert in every subject. Your role isn't to reteach the curriculum. It's about creating the right environment, offering steady support, and helping your child feel confident and prepared. 

This guide gives you practical, age-appropriate strategies to help your child prepare for school exams and make the experience smoother for everyone.

Key Takeaways

• Build a realistic revision routine that includes breaks, rest, and flexibility—cramming doesn't work

• Support effective study techniques like active recall and past paper practice rather than just rereading notes

• Watch for signs of exam anxiety and respond with calm reassurance, not added pressure

• Create a positive home environment that balances structure with emotional support

Why Parental Support Matters During Exam Season

Your support makes a real difference. Research (opens in a new tab) shows that students who feel supported at home are more confident, less anxious, and better equipped to handle exam pressure.

This doesn't mean hovering over their shoulder or checking every answer. It means providing stability, encouragement, and practical help when needed. When children know someone believes in them and has their back, they're more likely to persevere through challenging topics and bounce back from setbacks.

For younger students (Year 6 to Year 9), parental involvement might include helping them organise revision materials or quizzing them on flashcards. For older teenagers preparing for GCSEs or A-Levels, it's more about providing structure, holding them accountable, and being there when stress levels rise.

Setting Up a Productive Study Routine

Consistency beats intensity every time. Helping your child establish a regular revision routine—even if it's just 30 minutes a day for younger students—builds better habits than last-minute cramming.

Choosing the Right Study Space

Not every child needs a pristine desk in a silent room. Some work best at the kitchen table with gentle background noise. Others need complete quiet. 

Work with your child to find what suits them:

• Remove obvious distractions: phones, gaming consoles, and social media are the biggest culprits

• Good lighting matters: natural light is ideal, but a decent desk lamp works too

• Keep essentials nearby: pens, highlighters, water, and snacks within reach mean fewer interruptions

• Consider age and temperament: younger children might prefer studying near you for reassurance, while teenagers often want independence

We have a handy guide to creating the perfect study space that will be useful here. 

Creating a Realistic Weekly Schedule

Help your child map out their revision without overwhelming them. Sit down together at the start of each week and create a timetable that includes:

• Specific subjects per day: "Monday: Maths and Biology" is clearer than "Monday: revise"

• Realistic time blocks: 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off, works better than marathon three-hour sessions

• Built-in flexibility: life happens—leave gaps for unexpected school commitments or mental health breaks

• Non-study time: schedule downtime, exercise, and social activities so revision doesn't consume everything

Our articles on how to build a GCSE revision timetable, how to build an IGCSE revision timetable, how to build an A Level revision timetable and how to build an IB revision timetable might help. You can also use our free weekly planner (opens in a new tab) to get started.

In the weeks leading up to exams, for GCSE or Years 10/11 students, aim for 4-6 hours and for A Level or Year 12/13 students, 5-7 hours of focused revision per day. For younger students, 60-120 minutes is plenty. It’s certainly possible to revise too much. 

Encouraging Smart Study Techniques

Not all revision is created equal. Rereading notes might feel productive, but it's one of the least effective methods. Instead, encourage techniques proven to strengthen memory and understanding.

Active recall means testing yourself rather than passively reviewing. This could be:

• Using flashcards to quiz themselves

• Attempting practice questions without notes

• Teaching the material back to you or a sibling

The blurting method is one form of active recall, for example

Spaced repetition involves revisiting topics multiple times over several weeks rather than cramming everything the night before. Little and often wins. Research demonstrates (opens in a new tab) that it is far more effective than cramming.

Past paper practice is the gold standard, especially for GCSEs and A-Levels. It familiarises students with exam format, timing, and question styles. Save My Exams offers examiner-written practice questions and past papers matched to specific exam boards, so your child can practise exactly what they'll face.

If your child needs feedback on their practice work, Save My Exams resources like Smart Mark can show them exactly where they went wrong and how to improve.

Make Learning Engaging

Revision doesn't have to be dull. Here are age-appropriate ways to keep it interesting:

For younger students (Year 6-8):

• Turn topics into quiz games

• Use colourful mind maps or diagrams

• Watch educational videos together

• Create silly mnemonics for tricky facts

For GCSE/IGCSE students:

• Encourage them to create visual timelines or flowcharts

• Use online quizzes and interactive revision tools

• Study with friends occasionally (but limit social distractions)

We have a whole suite of ideas for GCSE revision games for enjoyable learning, and plenty of subject-specific revision game ideas in our Learning Hub. 

For A-Level/IB students:

• Encourage them to explain concepts to you—teaching others deepens understanding. This is The Feynman Technique (teaching the topic aloud), and effectively exposes areas of weak understanding

• Help them find high-quality video explanations for difficult topics

• Support them in creating summary sheets or revision cards

The key is variety. Switching between different methods keeps the brain engaged and prevents boredom.

For more ideas, Save My Exams has a wealth of revision tips.

Supporting Emotional Wellbeing

Exams are stressful. Your job is to be the calm presence in the chaos, not add to the pressure.

Watch your language. Instead of "You must get good grades," try "I know you're working hard, and I'm proud of your effort." Focus on their preparation and progress, not just the end result.

Encourage breaks and downtime. Going for a walk, playing with the dog, or watching an episode of their favourite show isn't "wasting time"—it's essential for mental health and focus.

Normalise stress. Let them know it's completely normal to feel nervous and that you believe in their ability to cope.

Spotting Exam Anxiety Early

Some stress is expected, but watch for signs it's becoming overwhelming:

• Sleep problems (difficulty falling asleep or sleeping too much) 

• Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches

• Irritability, tearfulness, or withdrawing from family

• Avoiding revision or expressing feelings of hopelessness ("I'll fail anyway, so why bother?")

If you notice these signs, have a gentle conversation. Ask open questions: "You seem worried—want to talk about it?" Avoid dismissing their feelings with "You'll be fine" or "Don't be silly."

Sometimes, simply acknowledging the pressure helps. Other times, they might need practical strategies like breathing exercises, breaking tasks into smaller steps, or speaking with a school counsellor.

Our article on how to avoid burnout will help further. You can also send them our free Exam Anxiety Relief Kit to help them navigate exam worry, too.

Staying Supportive Without Taking Over

This is the trickiest balance. You want to help, but not hover. You want them to succeed, but they need to own their revision.

Here's how to offer support without micromanaging:

Do:

• Ask what help they need rather than assuming

• Offer to test them on flashcards or quiz them

• Help them organise their notes or timetable if they're struggling

• Provide healthy snacks and make sure they're eating properly

• Check in regularly: "How's the revision going? Anything tricky today?"

Don't:

• Sit over their shoulder watching every minute

• Constantly ask "Have you done your revision yet?"

• Compare them to siblings or friends ("Your brother revised for hours every day")

• Take over their revision or do their work for them

For older students especially, trust is crucial. If you've agreed they'll revise for two hours, don't keep checking. Give them space, then check in afterwards. 

Healthy Habits for Exam Success

Revision isn't just mental—physical wellbeing directly impacts concentration and memory.

Sleep: Teenagers need 8-10 hours per night. Late-night cramming sabotages memory and concentration. Help them wind down with a screen-free hour before bed. 

Nutrition: Regular, balanced meals keep energy stable. Avoid too much sugar (the crash isn't worth it). Keep healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, and yoghurt on hand.

Exercise: Even a 20-minute walk boosts mood and focus. Encourage them to stay active—it's not "time away from revision," it's essential brain fuel.

Screen limits: Social media is the enemy of focus. Agree on phone-free revision blocks. Apps like Forest or Focus Mode can help.

Hydration: Keep water nearby. Dehydration impacts concentration more than most people realise.

Our article on building study habits that stick will tell you more. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours a day should my child revise?

It depends on age and how close the exams are. As a rough guide:

• Year 6-8: 60-120 minutes daily

• GCSEs/IGCSEs: 4-6 hours daily in study leave during the  final few weeks

• A-Levels/IB: 5-7 hours daily in study leave leading up to exams

Quality matters more than quantity. Two focused hours beats five distracted ones.

Should I reward my child for studying?

Small, motivational rewards can work—especially for younger children. "Finish your revision and we'll get ice cream" is fine. But avoid creating a system where they only study for rewards. Intrinsic motivation ("I want to do well") is more sustainable than extrinsic rewards.

Praise effort and progress, not just grades: "You've worked really hard on that topic" is better than "You need to get an A."

How early should we start revising before exams?

Start earlier than you think. For GCSEs and A-Levels, serious revision should begin at least 8-10 weeks before exams. This allows time for spaced repetition and past paper practice.

For younger students, 4-6 weeks is usually enough.

Starting early reduces stress and allows your child to revise at a manageable pace rather than cramming.

What if my child is falling behind?

First, don't panic. Have an honest conversation with your child and their teachers to identify what's going wrong. Is it lack of understanding, poor organisation, or something else?

From there:

• Break the workload into small, manageable chunks

• Focus on their weakest areas first

• Consider targeted support—whether that's online resources, a tutor, or extra help from school

• Use resources like Save My Exams, where students can identify weak spots through practice questions and get personalised feedback on how to improve

Remember: progress matters more than perfection. Even small improvements build confidence. Our article on the best revision techniques will help. 

Final Thoughts

You don't need to be the perfect parent during exam season. You just need to be present.

Your child isn't looking for you to have all the answers or to turn into a walking textbook. They need you to provide stability, encouragement, and the occasional reality check when stress levels spike.

Small actions make a big difference: a quiet study space, a listening ear, a packed lunch, or just a reminder that you're proud of them regardless of results.

Support them, believe in them, and remind them that grades don't define their worth. That's the kind of help that lasts far beyond exam season.

References 

• Parents not schools boost exam success, study suggests - BBC News (opens in a new tab)

• Evidence of the Spacing Effect and Influences on Perceptions of Learning and Science Curricula - PMC (opens in a new tab)