Eight tips for the night before and day of an exam

Exam preparation starts far in advance with revision and goes right up to the moment you take the test. Good exam prep involves knowing what to do the night before an exam and on test day – including once you’re in the hall.

Here are our eight tips for how to prepare for exams and do your best.

1. Memorise facts before bed
2. Get up in plenty of time
3. Eat well
4. Have a laugh
5. Know when to stop
6. Get comfy
7. Stay hydrated (but don’t drink too much)
8. Do what works for you

Did you know that the few minutes before you fall asleep is a fantastic time for getting facts into your head? Learning before sleep improves memory retention. Staying up cramming isn’t wise as you may end up overly tired. However, it’s fine to have a quick read-through of any stats, equations or vocabulary you need to memorise before you head to bed.

Do it as a revision habit and on the night before your exam. Once you’ve done that, switch off and catch those all-important ZZZs.

You want a good rest, but you don’t want to oversleep. So, set an alarm (or two). Once you hear your alarm, get up and get ready so that you’ll get to the exam without rushing. If you’re worried you’ll press snooze out of habit, get a family member or friend to check you're up and about.

You don’t have to eat ‘brain food’ (such as oily fish) to succeed in your exams. If you like the food that happens to give your brain a boost, great. If you don’t, it’s better to eat what you normally do than go hungry. Fill yourself up with the fuel you need to get through the exam. You don’t want your grumbling belly to distract you, but there’s no need to over-indulge either. It's fine to eat your everyday diet on an exam day – it's just another day, after all.

When people tell you to “relax”, it’s hard to know how to. Laughing is a great release for your body, though. If you’ve got time before your exam, do something fun like watching a comedy show, having a kickabout or scrolling through funny videos. Laughing will relax you and lower your stress levels. Give it a go the night before too. Being relaxed will help you get a better night’s sleep.

Go over your most important facts before you leave home. Then, you can go over them again on the way to the exam if you'd like. But once you arrive at the exam hall, stop. Too much last-minute cramming will send your brain into a spin. So, take a deep breath and be confident that you’ve already got the knowledge to smash the exam.

When you’re in the exam room, sit comfortably. Lay out any equipment and stationery you’re allowed in a way that suits you, and make sure you’re happy with where you’re sitting. Got a wonky table or wobbly chair that’s going to distract you? Tell an invigilator before you begin.

Just like with pre-exam food, think about how much you normally drink in a day and stick to your routine. There’s no need to keep gulping down water if you’re not thirsty. If you’ve got a bottle to sip, you’ll be fine. You don’t want to drink way more than usual and need extra toilet breaks.

Everyone is different. Some people like to prepare for their exams in silence, while others blast motivational music until the last minute. Maybe you're someone who likes to use a certain pen for luck. Do whatever puts you in the best frame of mind and you'll be set up perfectly to ace the exam.

When it comes to the night before an exam, we all know getting sleep is key. However, it’s OK to stay up for five minutes to go over some tricky facts. Whatever you do, don't forget to set your alarm before you rest.

On the actual exam day, it’s important to eat beforehand, try to unwind and know when to stop revising. Once you’re in the exam hall, get comfortable and take sips of water when you need them.

And most importantly, remember that everyone is different. What works for one person won’t always work for you. So, find the exam prep methods that suit you and keep doing those. Good luck!