My problem is I sometimes get questions wrong, even though I know the answer. I doubt myself. How do you help with self-doubt or lack of exam confidence?

Asked by Khanya on our Parent Webinar Series.

Hi Khanya, great question! Self-doubt during exams is a common challenge, but it can definitely be overcome. Here are two practical strategies to help you build confidence and trust your instincts:

Practice, Practice, Practice to Build Exam Confidence

The simplest and most effective way to tackle self-doubt is through consistent practice. Completing as many practice questions and exams as possible has two significant benefits:

Building Your Exam Muscle

The first time you attempt a practice exam, even simple questions might feel overwhelming. You might know the answer but struggle to articulate it. This is completely normal! With each practice session, you’ll find it easier to organise your thoughts and write accurate answers. By your fifth or sixth attempt, you’ll be confidently tackling even the hardest questions.

This happens because you’re training your "exam muscle" — your ability to break down a question, think critically, and respond effectively. Just like building physical strength, repetition makes this skill second nature.

Boosting Your Confidence

As you tackle tougher questions with ease, your confidence will naturally grow. Many students second-guess themselves because they lack confidence, not knowledge. When you’ve practised enough to develop this "exam muscle", you’ll start trusting your instincts and answering questions will become a piece of cake.

Develop a Bulletproof Booklet

Identify patterns in the questions where you doubt yourself or make mistakes. Here’s how:

1. Look for Commonalities

Do your mistakes happen across all subjects or just in specific areas? Are you struggling with certain types of questions, like multiple-choice or essay-style? If the issue is widespread, regular practice will likely resolve it. If it’s more specific, focus on the problem areas.

2. Create a Personal System

For recurring mistakes, develop a system to address them. For instance:

• Use a checklist to double-check multiple-choice answers.

• Break down essay questions into manageable parts to ensure you address every aspect.

Then, practise using this system until it becomes second nature.

You can read more about this approach to building exam confidence in our article on Reducing Careless Mistakes in Exams.