Revision and sitting exams can be a challenging time for your child, with multiple assessments and a number of topics to cover. A Level, T Level and BTEC exam results play an important role in helping your young person start the next chapter of their life, including progressing to university.
It’s not always easy to know how best to support them, but your guidance and reassurance can make a big difference. We’ve put together some tips to help them feel prepared, revise effectively, and look after their wellbeing during this busy period.
Understanding the exam timeline
Understanding the A Level, T Level and BTEC exam schedule can help both you and your child get organised. Here are the important dates to keep in mind for 2026:
Key dates
May01
T Levels exams typically start in May
May01
BTEC exams and assessments start
May11
A Level exams start
May31
Most T Levels exams and assessments complete
Jun23
AS and A Level exams complete
Jun26
GCSE exams complete
Jun30
BTEC exams complete
Aug13
A Level, AS, T Level and BTEC results day
Planning revision effectively
Effective planning and time management can go a long way in making revision more productive and less stressful. We recommend encouraging your child to start revising as early as possible. This will help to avoid stress and allow for regular, focused revision sessions that aren't too overwhelming.
Here's some handy tips to help your child stay focused, confident, and keep their revision on track:
Create a timetable
Encourage them to plan specific subjects or topics for each session and set realistic daily goals. Using color-coding or a visual calendar can help make the timetable easier to follow and more motivating.
Break revision into bitesize chunks
Short, focused sessions tend to be more effective than long hours of cramming. Aim for 25-50 minute study periods with a pause in between and encourage them to focus on one topic at a time.
Include breaks and down time
Make sure their timetable allows for breaks, meals, exercise, or relaxing activities. Downtime is just as important as study time as it helps consolidate learning and keeps energy levels high.
Reduce distractions to stay focused
Encourage them to revise in a quiet space where possible and limit interruptions from social media, phones, or other devices. Suggest using apps or features that block notifications temporarily to reduce distractions.
Staying calm during exam period
Exams and assignments can be stressful, and your support can help your child manage their emotions. Your guidance, reassurance, and calm presence will help them feel more in control and confident.
Try these recommended ways to help your young person stay calm during revision and exams:
Recognise signs of stress
Pay attention to changes in behaviour such as irritability, anxiety, fatigue, or lack of motivation. These may indicate that your child needs a break, reassurance, or a chance to talk through their worries.
Encourage healthy habits
Regular exercise, balanced meals, and good sleep all help to support physical health, as well as boosting memory and concentration.
Introduce calming techniques
Simple mindfulness exercises and breathing techniques can help them stay calm and focused. Encourage them to practise these regularly, especially before exams or when feeling overwhelmed.
Using active revision techniques
Every child learns differently, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to revision. Encourage your child to experiment with different methods to find what works best for them and focus on techniques that actively engage them with the material.
Here are some active revision ideas to help improve your child’s understanding, retention, and confidence in the topic:
Flashcards, quizzes, and practice questions
Using flashcards, short quizzes, mock questions, or even past papers are all ways to test knowledge and build confidence. Regularly practicing under timed conditions can also help them become more familiar with the exam format.
Mind maps, flowcharts and diagrams
Visual aids like mind maps, flowcharts, or diagrams can simplify complex topics and help your child see how ideas connect. Mind maps are diagrams that start with a central idea and branch out into related concepts, while flowcharts show steps or processes in order.
Teaching back the topic
Explaining what they’ve learned to you or someone else is an effective way to reinforce knowledge. It helps your child clarify their thinking, spot gaps in understanding, and gain confidence in recalling information.
Regular review
Short, repeated revision sessions help information stick better than last-minute cramming. Encourage your child to revisit key topics periodically to strengthen memory retention.
Preparing for exam day
A little preparation can help your child reduce nerves on exam days. Being organised and having simple coping strategies in place can help the day run more smoothly.
Try these suggestions to help your child feel confident on the day of their exam:
Practical reminders
Make sure your young person has everything they need to sit their exam. Generally, this will include black pens, pencils and erasers, a clear pencil case or bag, and a water bottle with no label on it. Check with your child’s school or the exam board for further details.
Plan arrival times
Ensure your child arrives early to help them settle and avoid unnecessary stress. Arriving ahead of time gives them a chance to settle in, find their seat, and mentally prepare.
Coping strategies
Simple techniques can help your child manage nerves and stay focused. Encourage slow breathing, positive thinking, and focusing on what they can control.
Managing results day
Results Day can bring a mix of emotions, including excitement, nerves, relief, or disappointment. Being calm, understanding, and encouraging can help them navigate the day more confidently. Whatever the outcome, your support will be extremely important.
Take a look at these ways to ease nerves on results day:
Prepare and keep perspective
Talk in advance about possible outcomes and next steps. Remind your child that while results matter, there are alternative options if they don’t achieve the results they’d expected.
Understand the options
If their results aren’t as expected, it’s important to know the alternatives. There are pathways available, including Clearing places, resitting exams, or pursuing alternative qualifications.
Further advice about revision and exams
For further advice about revision and exams, take a look at AQA, Pearson or OCR exam board support webpages.
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