Use this guide in the months before mock or final exams, when your teenager needs some structure. Have their exam timetable or likely exam months, list of subjects and exam boards, and a calendar ready.
Step by step
Start with a calm conversation
Choose a relaxed time and ask how they feel about each subject rather than starting with a plan. Ask which topics they find hardest and what has helped before. Agree that the plan is theirs and your role is to support it.
List subjects and exam boards
Write down each subject, the exam board (such as AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel or WJEC Eduqas) and the specification or course code. Teachers or the school website can confirm these. Knowing the exam board lets your teenager find the right past papers and topic lists.
Build a realistic weekly timetable
Block out school, clubs, meals, sleep and downtime first, then add short revision sessions in the gaps. Around 25–45 minutes per session with breaks works for many students. Mix subjects across the week and give more time to weaker areas, not just favourite ones.
Focus on active revision
Encourage methods that make them recall information, such as practice questions, flashcards, mind maps from memory and explaining a topic out loud. Re-reading and highlighting feel productive but are less effective on their own. Past papers and mark schemes from the exam board show what examiners want.
Review weekly
Spend ten minutes each week looking at what worked, what was missed and what to change. Adjust the plan rather than abandoning it when a week goes badly. Praise effort and consistency rather than only marks.
Look after wellbeing
Protect sleep, regular meals, exercise and time with friends, as they all support memory and mood. Keep phones out of the room during revision sessions if that helps. If worry or low mood is getting in the way, talk to the school or the GP, and in an emergency call 999.
Ready-to-use checklist
- Subjects and exam boards listed
- Exam or mock dates noted
- Weekly timetable agreed
- Past papers and mark schemes found
- Quiet study space set up
- Weekly review time booked
- Downtime and sleep protected
- School contact for extra support known
Practical tips
- Put the timetable where everyone can see it so you can support it without constant reminders.
- Ask teachers which topics were weakest in recent tests and start there.
- Offer to test them with their flashcards; it is useful and shows interest without pressure.
Common problems
Your teenager refuses to follow any plan.
Scale down to one short, agreed session a day and let them choose the subject. Small wins build momentum better than a detailed plan they reject.
They spend hours revising but marks do not improve.
Check what they are actually doing; long sessions of re-reading or copying notes rarely help. Switch to past-paper questions checked against the mark scheme.
They are very anxious about exams.
Listen, keep the plan manageable and talk to their tutor or the school pastoral team. If anxiety is affecting sleep, eating or daily life, contact the GP or NHS 111 for advice.
This guide gives general information, not personal legal, financial or medical advice. Rules and prices change, so check the current position with the official service before acting.
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