Four top tips to prepare for exam success

Here, former secondary school teacher and The Next Step team member, Daniel Kitson, shares his tips to prepare for exam success – from advanced planning to active revision.

As you approach the final stretch of your medical or dental training, the pressure of upcoming exams can feel overwhelming.

These exams represent the culmination of years of hard work and dedication – a significant milestone on your journey to becoming a qualified professional. However, with the right strategies in place, you can manage stress, stay focused and prepare confidently for this critical period.

As a former secondary school science teacher, I have guided many students through high-stakes exams. The key to success lies in careful preparation, effective study techniques and prioritising wellbeing. Here’s how you can apply these strategies to your final-year exams.

Plan early, plan smart

The foundation of exam success is creating a solid revision plan well in advance. Time is one of your most valuable assets, and starting ahead allows you to gradually build knowledge while reducing last-minute stress.

Begin by mapping out a timetable that covers all key topics, ensuring you dedicate extra time to areas you find more challenging. Breaking your study into smaller, manageable chunks over weeks or months helps prevent cramming and improves information retention. I’ve found that simply writing actions down has helped alleviate anxiety in the students I’ve taught over the years.

Think of your brain like a muscle – it needs regular, consistent training. You wouldn’t expect to see results from spending 16 hours in the gym in one day, but by regularly training for four hours a week, progress becomes tangible. Apply the same thinking to your studies.

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Complete a bassline assessment to identify the gaps in your knowledge and use that data to create a plan that tackles your weaknesses. Be sure to incorporate regular review sessions, perhaps weekly to track your progress.

You can use a tool like Notion, a diary or a simple Excel sheet to organise your study schedule. Also, don’t forget to schedule time for activities that help you unwind, like sports, music or gaming.

Active revision – don’t just read, engage!

I have consistently seen students preparing for exams be lured into a false sense of security that comes from passive revision. Reading and highlighting notes may feel productive, but it doesn’t reinforce a deeper understanding that comes from active engagement with the material.

Engage deeply with your learning by focusing on topic recall and using techniques like flashcards and look-write-cover-check. Then, consider higher-order level critical thinking skills such as application, analysis, progressing to evaluation and creation. You can look into Blooms Taxonomy for further insight into these stages.

Past papers are invaluable for this. Practising under timed conditions also helps you manage the pressure of the exam day and strengthens your ability to apply knowledge in real-life clinical scenarios.

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With an effective study schedule, you can use spaced repetition to engage more frequently with topics you find difficult to recall. Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at gradually increasing time-intervals to improve long-term retention.

Flashcards are excellent for this technique because they encourage information to be condensed into its most fundamental parts. They also allow for quick review, enabling you to focus on concepts you need to revisit most.

Consider using a simple method called the Leitner System. Set out four boxes, place all flashcards in box 1, take out the cards one-by-one and answer the questions. Move correctly answered flashcards up a box, while incorrectly answered flashcards return to box 1.

Review box 1 daily, box 2 weekly, box 3 fortnightly and box 4 monthly. Alternatively, you can customise the frequency with which you review each box.

Prioritise your wellbeing and mental health

Exam preparation is intense, but neglecting self-care can be counterproductive. Your physical and mental health are critical for maintaining focus and stamina. A balanced diet, regular exercise and consistent sleep patterns are just as important for optimal cognitive performance as studying.

It’s also vital to manage exam anxiety. I noticed that students often underestimate the power of taking breaks. Whether it’s playing sport, listening to music or unwinding with a hobby, regular intervals away from study enhance your focus when you return.

Allocating time for self-care, such as mindfulness, can help reduce stress, improve concentration and maintain mental clarity during this period.

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The night before an exam, take time to relax or review easy, familiar topics for quick wins. Trying to learn large amounts of new information can harm your sleep, diet and confidence. Apps like Headspace offer excellent guided meditations to reduce anxiety, but YouTube also provides free options if you’re on a budget.

Leverage peer support and group study

Group study can be incredibly effective, providing accountability, motivation and different perspectives on challenging topics. Teaching your peers is also an excellent way to solidify your understanding. However, ensure that your group study sessions are focused, with clear goals to avoid drifting off topic.

Consider using your peers to make exam preparation more engaging. You can study in a different environment, create games or introduce a competitive edge into your studies.

Group study doesn’t have to be in person. For example, if you believe you perform better in a competitive environment, you may wish to set up a regular online league board to compare each other’s progress or schedule a weekly Teams call.

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Use platforms like Google Documents for collaborative notetaking and sharing resources. Remember, the true value of revision notes lies in their application – not copying from a textbook.

Divide notetaking duties among your peers, so you can spend more time using the notes to apply knowledge in practice questions. You can save a significant amount of time by sharing the note creation responsibility, allowing time to focus on the topics that really need your attention.

Final thoughts

Exam preparation is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be challenging days, difficult topics and less-than-perfect practice results, but setbacks are part of the learning process. Practising self-compassion is essential – don’t be too hard on yourself.

Track your progress and celebrate small wins to maintain your motivation. Set weekly goals for completing practice questions. You can use this to focus on your weaker areas, but also celebrate your success!

What gets measured, gets managed. Establish a baseline with a mock test and track your progress as you improve. Small milestones, like mastering a difficult concept or completing a revision goal, deserve recognition. Tracking your growth over time will help keep you motivated and reinforce the progress you’ve made.

You’ve come so far already, and with the right mindset and preparation, success is within reach. Good luck on your journey – The Next Step team are cheering you on every step of the way! Feel free to get in touch with us if you would like some further support.