Exam preparation tips to help build student confidence

Revising for and taking exams are an important part of any student’s life but they can easily get discouraged when faced with a heavy schedule. That is why it is vital for teachers to boost their confidence and motivate them by imparting knowledge on how to best prepare and manage their time when studying for exams. Here are some tips you share with them.

Give your students manageable goals

SMART goals help students make progress by being specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. They help students imagine what they want to achieve and – by breaking down objectives into steps – help them understand how they are progressing. Cambridge English Qualifications are designed with this in mind, and the regular goals motivate students to improve their skills step by step.

Use checklists to help support your students

Following on from SMART goals, it’s important to help your students take ownership of their learning and give them the tools they need to track their own progress.

For young learners, a goals checklist can be an effective way to help them focus on their goals, remember what they have done and reflect on their progress.

For lower levels, it might be helpful to write the goals and instructions in the students’ first language.

For teens or older students, you can use a more advanced learning plan to help them track their progress.

Use Cambridge English exam preparation resources

Students need to have a good understanding of the content, the exam format, the timing for each section and even how they will be assessed.

Make sure you help students practise in a number of ways – incorporating exam-style activities in the classroom, setting practice tests for homework and running a mock exam. You should also consider testing students on their knowledge of the structure and timings of the exams too.

Check in with students regularly

It’s always a good idea to find out how well your students are getting on with the activities you are doing in class. There are a number of simple resources you can use to help students feel supported and confident.

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