What Students Wish They Knew Before Their Exams: Wisdom from the Class of 2026
One of the most rewarding parts of tutoring is seeing the real-world habits that lead to success. Seeing my students every week gives me a unique insight into what actually works when the pressure is on.
Every April, I ask my GCSE and A-Level students a simple question: "What advice would you give to someone just starting your course?"
They are brutally honest about what helps and what is a waste of time. Here is the unfiltered advice from the Class of 2026 for the next generation of students.
GCSE Maths: The Road to Grade 5 and Beyond
For Year 10 and 11 students, the message was clear: Consistency beats intensity.
Switch on early: Don’t wait for the "panic phase" in May. The earlier you start, the lower the stress.
The 4-6 Mark Rule: Don’t skip the "hard" questions at the back of the paper. They feel difficult at first, but with practice, they become the most predictable marks.
Remove the Distractions: You don't have to delete your social media accounts, but delete the apps from your phone during revision season.
Use the Year 10 Summer: Year 11 is intense. If you use the summer to recap any Year 10 topics you struggled with, you’ll start the final year with a massive advantage.
Small and Often: Do a little bit of maths every day rather than a five-hour "cram" session on a Sunday.
Year 12: Staying Ahead of the Curve
The jump from GCSE to A-Level is significant. My Year 12 students emphasized that "manageable" can quickly become "overwhelming."
Note-Taking is Non-Negotiable: Make notes after every single lesson while the information is fresh.
Homework is the Minimum: Don’t just do the set work. Complete every relevant textbook question for that topic to ensure you’ve truly "locked in" the knowledge.
Ask for Help Early: If you don't understand a concept on Monday, don't wait until the mock exam to ask about it.
Stay Organised: It’s not just about your folders; it’s about your understanding. If you fall behind, deal with it immediately.
Year 13: The Final Sprint
Year 13 students are currently preparing for the hardest exams of their lives. Their advice is all about preparation and stamina.
Respect the Jump: Year 13 is significantly harder than Year 12. Use the summer transition to recap Year 12 content so your foundation is rock solid.
Master the Applied Content: Don't neglect Statistics and Mechanics. These are often the areas that catch students out in the final papers.
Past Papers are Your Best Friend: Organise all your Year 12 papers and start looking at Year 13 papers as early as possible.
Aim High: If mocks don't go well, act now. The content only gets more complex as the year goes on.
My Top Two Tips for Exam Success
While I learn so much from my students, there are two pieces of advice I give every person I tutor:
1. Aim Higher Than Your Target
If you want to pass, aim for a Grade 5. If you want a Grade 7, aim for an 8 or 9. On a "bad day", when nerves are high or a tricky question appears, you want enough of a "buffer" to ensure you still land exactly where you need to be.
2. Lean Into the Topics You "Hate"
That topic you’ve been avoiding? That’s exactly where your progress is hidden. Whether it's Surds, Fractions, or Integration - practice them until the fear disappears. When you master a difficult topic, your grades improve, but more importantly, your confidence grows.
In a GCSE or A-Level exam, confidence is everything.
Think Smarter. Score Higher.
At Olivia Press, we believe success in maths isn’t about doing more work it’s about doing the right kind of practice. Our workbooks focus on the multi-step, exam-style questions that build the thinking skills students need to walk into the exam room with total confidence.
