Exam Preparation Crash Course: How to Help Your Child Get Exam-Ready

Over the past three months, we’ve connected with over 15,000 parents through our fortnightly webinar series. Here, parents can ask us questions on how they can best support their child during end-of-year exams. One topic that keeps coming up is exam preparation.

To help, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive:

How long before an exam should a student start studying? 

We generally recommend starting exam preparation at least three weeks in advance. This is because there are three key tasks students need to complete before an exam, each of which takes about a week: 

1. Complete their notes;

2. Memorise their notes;

3. Practise past exams. 

   
   

For major exams like the HSC, VCE, or other end-of-year exams, students will need more time due to the volume of content and multiple subjects to prepare for. Most high-achieving students begin final exam preparations around six weeks beforehand, typically in early September. However, that doesn’t mean students should be sat around doing nothing until then! There are strategies and tasks students should be working through consistently throughout the year, including making their core notes - as covered in our crash course on note-making.

What should a student be doing during exam preparation time? 

Here are the three essential steps for effective exam preparation: 

1. Complete Their Notes: Students should firstly create a comprehensive set of notes summarising the entire syllabus. These notes should be developed throughout the year, but gaps may exist due to missed classes or overlooked topics – the average Year 12 student misses up to 4-weeks of school due to illness, sports or extracurricular activities. To fill these gaps, students should cross-check their notes against the syllabus. This ensures they have all the required content. Learn more about using the syllabus effectively here.

2. Memorise Their Notes: Having notes isn’t enough; students need to commit the material to memory. There are various techniques available for effective memorisation, which you can explore here.

3. Practice Exams: Practice exams are critical because they help students apply their knowledge under test conditions. Research shows that the number of practice exams completed is the top predictor of exam success. This is because exams don’t simply test how much a student can remember; they test how a student understands and uses the information they have memorised. This is a skill that can only be built through practise. And here’s the critical thing: this is the most important step of the 3. Our research shows the top students do more practice exams than anyone else. For students in Years 7-10, textbooks often have excellent practice questions. For Years 11-12, past exam papers are readily available in bookstores. 

 

Why won’t my child do practice exams? 

Many students avoid practice exams despite their importance. Here are two common reasons and how to overcome them: 

1. They’re Hard: Practice exams require sustained focus, extensive writing, and deep thinking, which can be daunting. Students may revert to memorising notes as it feels easier. To combat this, encourage students to: 

   
   

   1. Set clear goals, like the number of practice exams to complete by a specific date. 

   2. Use rewards, such as gaming time or an evening off, after completing a practice exam.

1.  Perfectionism: Some students believe practice exams must be done under strict exam conditions, which can be overwhelming. Instead: 

   
   

   1. Start with untimed practice exams, allowing them to use notes as needed. 

   2. Once they gain confidence, transition to timed, closed-book conditions. 

If we’re running out of time, should a student focus on memorising notes or doing practice exams? 

If time is limited, students should prioritise practice exams. Open-book practice exams offer the dual benefit of reinforcing memorisation and building exam-taking skills simultaneously. It also means your child will be spending more of their time on the single most important activity when it comes to exam preparation. 

How should my child manage multiple exams in the same week? 

When faced with multiple exams, students can choose one of three approaches: 

1. Prepare in Chronological Order: Study for the first exam first and move sequentially. While focused, this method risks neglecting later exams if too much time is spent on earlier ones. 

2. Work Backwards: Start with the last exam to ensure it’s adequately prepared for. The urgency of the first exam helps prevent over-preparation for later ones. 

3. Prepare Simultaneously: Dedicate time to each subject daily using an exam planner. This approach balances preparation across all subjects. Learn more about exam planners here. 

 

Final Tips for Parents 

Helping your child stay organised, motivated, and balanced during exam preparation is crucial. By encouraging them to follow these steps and supporting them when challenges arise, you’ll be setting them up for success in their academic journey. 

For more expert tips, check out our other resources tailored for parents navigating the HSC, VCE, and beyond.