How to Help Your Child Revise for IGCSEs

For families, IGCSEs (or International General Certificates of Secondary Education) mark a major exam milestone. Students feel the pressure, and, for parents, it can be a frustrating time. It’s as if you’re in the background, in the dark, and you wish you could do more.

The good news is that your supporting role can make a huge difference. You don't need to be an expert, a teacher, or even the bad guy policing every minute of their revision! In fact, your role (providing structure, encouragement, and a calm presence) will have a huge impact. 

You’re here to find out exactly how to do that and get some practical advice. So, in this guide, you’ll find out how to help your child revise for IGCEs: how much revision is needed, how to help your child stay motivated, and what strategies actually work. 

Key Takeaways

• Create structure without rigidity: together, build a realistic revision timetable

• Encourage scientifically proven revision techniques: Active recall, past papers, and spaced repetition are more effective than simply rereading notes

• Presence and support: This matters more than understanding the nitty-gritty of every subject

• Watch for burnout: Recognise signs of stress early and prioritise wellbeing alongside academic performance

The Role of Parents During IGCSE Revision

Your teenager doesn't need you to teach them, but they do need you to be their anchor. Parents play a crucial role in providing:

Structure: Helping establish routines and realistic goals when motivation wanes

Encouragement: Celebrating progress and effort, not just results

Emotional support: Being there to listen, reassure, and help manage exam anxiety

Practical help: Creating a good study environment and helping with logistics

Think of yourself as a coach rather than a teacher: you're there to facilitate their success, not deliver it for them. 

Building a Realistic Revision Plan

Research shows that the key to effective revision is consistency, not cramming. Neither you nor your child want constant battles every night about whether they’ve done enough revision. A good revision timetable will make the process run smoothly, taking the pressure off the whole family.

Working together on a good study routine gives you the reassurance you need and it’ll help your child gain ownership of their studies. 

Map out:

• All exam dates per subject

  • If possible, start early so there’s plenty of time before the exams

  • If not, the best time is now!

• Work backwards from there

  • Discuss which subjects need the most attention

  • Consider difficulty, confidence level, and past performance

• Take account of existing commitments (sports, music lessons, social activities)

• Use the scientifically proven spaced repetition model to boost memory

• Consider natural energy peaks 

  • Our article morning vs night revision may be worth reading together 

Most importantly, make the plan flexible and realistic. Life can get in the way; adapt the timetable when necessary. Similarly, an overly ambitious schedule can increase stress. It’s more likely to be abandoned, too.

Structuring Study Blocks and Breaks

When it comes to revision, quality beats quantity. Long, unfocused study sessions don’t work. Just because they’ve been staring at their textbooks for an hour doesn’t always mean much has gone in. Encourage focused blocks with regular breaks. Two popular approaches include:

• The 45/15 study rule

  • Executive coach and author, Luciana Paulise, writes in Forbes (opens in a new tab) that this follows a natural physiological rhythm

  • She suggests starting with 30 minutes for those with ADHD

• The Pomodoro technique

  • 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break, with a longer 15–30 minute break after four cycles

Take movement breaks, too. Sitting still for ages can reduce energy and concentration levels. Suggest some stretching study breaks (opens in a new tab), a dance to their favourite song, or a walk.

What matters is that breaks are guilt-free and genuinely restorative. The brain consolidates information during rest periods, making breaks essential rather than optional.

Encouraging Effective IGCSE Revision Strategies

Want to know if your child is spending their study hours effectively? Let’s look at the science.

Research (opens in a new tab) consistently shows that active learning techniques produce better results than passively reading. Here are the most effective approaches:

1. Active Recall: Testing rather than underlining or reading endless notes. This can be done with flashcards, mindmaps, or quizzes. You can even ask your child to explain a concept while you’re driving home. Teaching someone else is the best way to learn. 

2. IGCSE Past Papers & Mark Schemes:  Working under timed conditions familiarises students with question formats, timing pressures, and helps identify knowledge gaps. Look through mark schemes and model answers to see exactly what examiners are after. 

3. Flashcards: Physical or digital flashcards are excellent for memorising key facts, vocabulary, formulas, and dates. The act of creating them is itself a learning exercise.

You can support these methods by:

• Quizzing your child using their flashcards

• Timing past paper attempts and helping create exam-day conditions

• Look through marks schemes together: let them explain them to you (they’ll feel like the expert)

• Discussing topics they're studying

What Works and What Doesn't

Everyone learns differently. Some of us learn visually, while others are auditory or kinaesthetic learners (opens in a new tab). Still, there are some revision methods that are likely to work better. 

Creating a Positive Study Environment

Environment can really impact concentration and productivity. Help your child establish a dedicated study space. Here’s a checklist:

Quiet and comfortable: Not necessarily silent, but free from major distractions. Some students work well with low background music or white noise.

Well-lit and organised: Good lighting reduces eye strain, and tidiness stops that sudden urge to clean up!

Supplies at hand: Pens, paper, textbooks, water, and healthy snacks within reach prevent constant trips around the house or to the fridge.

Phone management: Remember, your child knows exactly how distracting phones can be.

• Discuss effective strategies together to build self-regulation

• Here you’ll find a list of apps (opens in a new tab) that block notifications or websites

• Put devices on aeroplane mode or in another room, ready for a study break

Every student is different. Some prefer their bedroom desk, others the kitchen table, some study better in a library or café. Ask your child where they work best so they can feel in charge of their revision.

Motivation Without Pressure

Yes, this is the sticking point! It’s a fine line between encouragement and pressure. Constant nagging often backfires, increasing stress and resentment for everyone. Try these approaches:

Recognise effort, not just outcomes: Praise them for completing a study session, Finishing a topic or completing a past paper deserves acknowledgement

Offer small incentives: Suggest a favourite meal, a film night, or a small treat

Give them ownership: Choosing aspects of their revision themselves increases buy-in

Specific questions: "How's the science revision going?" rather than "Have you done your revision?" shows interest

Model good work habits: Let them see how you take breaks and manage tasks

Teenagers are navigating independence. While IGCSE exams are important, they’re still learning self-discipline and they’re human!

Coping with Stress and Burnout

With so many IGCSE subjects to revise, and constant nagging at school about how important they all are, it's natural for students to feel anxious. It’s worth bearing in mind that every hour of every school day a teacher reminds them that they have to work hard at their particular subject. 

Here are some signs your child might be struggling:

• Irritability, mood swings, or withdrawal

• Sleep problems or changes in appetite

• Physical complaints (headaches, stomach aches)

• Perfectionism or catastrophic thinking ("If I don't get an A*, I've failed")

• Complete avoidance of revision or school talk

If you notice these signs:

• Listen without fixing: Sometimes they need to vent, not receive solutions 

• Normalise their feelings: Exam stress is real and valid. We’d be the same! 

• Encourage breaks and downtime: Remind them that rest is productive

• Promote healthy habits: Regular exercise, good sleep, and proper meals make a tangible difference 

• Seek support if needed: School counsellors, teachers, or GPs can provide additional help if anxiety becomes overwhelming

You could direct them to our Free Exam Anxiety Relief Kit. 

Help them gain some perspective when they’re experiencing tunnel vision. Make it clear that their worth isn't determined by exam results. IGCSEs are one step in a much longer journey, and there are always alternative pathways forward. 

When to Step In & When to Step Back

Of course, you’re not an expert in all their subjects, and you’re not actually with them all those hours they spend at school. You want them to do well, but you don’t want to micromanage! Here are some guidelines:

Step in when:

• They're clearly struggling with organisation or time management

• You notice signs of burnout: many students put undue pressure on themselves

• They ask for help (even indirectly)

• They're using ineffective revision methods repeatedly

• They’re ignoring basic needs (sleep, meals, exercise) 

Step back when:

• They have a system that's working, even if it's different from what you'd do

• They're managing independently and showing maturity

• Your involvement is creating tension rather than helping

• They explicitly ask for space

In fact, you are an expert - an expert in knowing them! They want you there for stability, encouragement, as an interested listening ear, or as a sounding board. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much revision should my child be doing each day?

This varies by individual, proximity to exams, and the number of subjects. With 6 months to go, look at 1-2 hours a day, building up as exams approach (and during study leave). 

What if my child won't revise?

First, try to understand why. Are they overwhelmed? Unsure where to start? Struggling with a particular subject? Address the underlying issue rather than just the behaviour. If avoidance persists, consider whether professional support (tutoring, school counselling) might help.

Do I need to understand the subjects to help?

Absolutely not. You can be invaluable by providing structure, quizzing them using their own materials, listening, and ensuring they're taking care of themselves. 

Should my child revise during holidays or weekends?

Balance is key. Some light revision during holidays helps maintain momentum and prevents panic closer to exams, but complete breaks are also important for mental health and memory. A reasonable approach might be a few hours of revision most days, leaving one full day off per week and ensuring holidays aren't entirely consumed by study.

Is tutoring necessary for IGCSE success?

It depends. Tutoring can be beneficial if your child is struggling with particular subjects, needs help with study skills, finds it tough to revise alone, or would benefit from a different approach to a subject.

Final Thoughts

While it may sometimes feel like you’re a spare wheel when it comes to your child’s IGCSEs, your presence and encouragement matters. Some days will go smoothly; others won't. That's normal. 

Trust the process, try to trust your child, and, remember, your support, even in the background, is making a real difference to their IGCSE journey.

Interested in finding out more? 

Browse our full list of IGCSE subjects to see exactly what your child is studying. Or, check out our subject-by-subject guide for specific IGCSE revision notes. 

Of course, nobody plans  a bad result, but things happen. Our article on what happens if you fail your IGCSEs might help to put things in perspective. 

We’ve got some advice on how to get all A*s, as well. 

Our resources are written by real examiners and expert teachers, and they’re designed to match exact exam boards. 

References: 

Active Learning: Evidence-based Teaching (opens in a new tab)
Revision: what type of learner are you? | THE EDIT | UNiDAYS (opens in a new tab)
Forbes: how 45 minute blocks help you focus, be productive, and live better (opens in a new tab)
8 Stretches for your Study Break - MIT Recreation (opens in a new tab)
The 7 best apps to help you focus and block distractions in 2025 | Zapier (opens in a new tab)