10 Exam Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes

Need some exam tips? We’ve got you covered! We all know that when it comes to writing exams, stress and anxiety, along with the pressure to perform well, can have a direct result on our child’s academic performance, and it’s rarely a positive one!

BrightSparkz Tutors has been assisting struggling students with their exam preparation and performances for over 17 years, and we have learned some valuable things along the way that we want to share with you!

Typical Mistakes and Exam Tips to Avoid Them

Preparing for exams can be stressful, but avoiding common mistakes can make a big difference in performance. Here are the top 10 exam pitfalls and actionable tips to help students succeed:

1. Misreading the Question

How to Avoid: Encourage your child to underline or highlight key parts of the question before answering. Always read the question twice to make sure the question is properly understood.

Fact: According to the most recent educational studies, students who take a few extra seconds to thoroughly read through and interpret questions are less likely to make errors in their responses.

2. Poor Time Management

How to Avoid: Practice with old exam papers under timed conditions to get used to pacing. Allocate time per question and stick to it. If a question is too tricky, move on to the next one if you can before coming back to it.

Fact: Research shows that students who plan and divide their time per section tend to perform better, as they avoid spending too long on one question.

3. Neglecting to Review Answers

How to Avoid: Leave at least 5 – 10 minutes at the end of the exam to review your answers. Check for careless mistakes like skipped questions or miscalculated answers.

Fact: A significant percentage of students who don’t review their answers often miss out on easy points and marks due to preventable errors.

4. Overlooking Instructions

How to Avoid: Before starting, carefully read any instructions, particularly those about word limits, required sections, or the number of questions to answer.

Fact: A study from Stanford University found that students who meticulously follow exam instructions see an increase in their overall scores.

5. Failing to Structure Long Answers

How to Avoid: Use a rough outline for essay-type or long answer questions to ensure clarity and coherence. Organize answers logically with clear introductions, supporting points, and conclusions.

Fact: Well-structured essays tend to score higher, as clarity and logical flow are key elements examiners work for.

 To be even better, check out our article on How to Write an Essay!

6. Cramming the Night Before

How to Avoid: Plan study sessions well in advance, using spaced repetition and daily review to consolidate knowledge over time.

Fact: Cramming reduces retention. Studies show that spaced-out study sessions help students retain 50% more information than cramming.

For more on good study habits, learn about Why Study Breaks are so Important.

7. Ignoring Easy Marks

How to Avoid: Scan through the exam paper first and identify questions you are confident in answering. Begin with these to secure easy points and build confidence.

Fact: Scoring easy marks early can increase a student’s focus and reduce stress during more difficult parts of the exam.

8. Leaving Multiple-Choice Questions Blank

 How to Avoid: Eliminate incorrect options first to improve your chances of guessing correctly. Always attempt every question, as there is no penalty for guessing in most exams.

Fact: Statistically, students who guess on multiple-choice questions after narrowing down options are more likely to answer correctly.

9. Not Following a Study Plan

How to Avoid: Develop a study timetable that covers all subjects in a balanced manner. Allocate more time to challenging topics, but don’t ignore easier subjects.

Fact: Structured study plans have been shown to reduce exam anxiety and improve overall performance.

Read more on how to Improve your Study & Organisational Skills!  

10. Not Seeking Help When Needed

How to Avoid: Working with a BrightSparkz tutor can provide personalized support, helping students understand difficult concepts, prepare effectively for exams, and create tailored study schedules. Tutors can also guide students through past papers, helping them identify patterns and areas for improvement.

 Fact: Studies show that students who receive one-on-one tutoring can improve their grades by an average of two letter grades, as personalized instruction targets individual weaknesses and enhances overall understanding.

Read more about How Tutoring Helps ALL Learners! 

By focusing on these key tips, learners and students can boost their exam performance, avoid common pitfalls, and approach their exams with confidence. 

Exam Tips are for Sharing

Please share this advice with your children to help them avoid the most common mistakes made during exams and to get them to perform at their very best. Our talented and friendly staff are standing by to assist your child with the perfect, hand-picked tutor to help them with all of their academic subjects and needs.

Also check out our highly sought after BrightSparkz 2-hour facilitated Study Skills Crash Course. Besides learning fantastic skills and techniques that will definitely help during their exams, the course also allows us to identify your child’s best learning and studying methods for their particular learning style, making their studying methods and preparation for exams and tests much easier!