In the last one or two weeks, choose tasks that fit the time remaining. Recent practice answers can help you decide what to review and where you need a teacher's help.
Stop trying to cover everything
Choose a small next step for each weak topic. You may need to review a definition, practise a method or ask someone to explain a missing idea. Set a time limit for the task and keep the rest of your subject plan in view.
Triage your subjects and topics into three groups
| Group | What to do |
|---|---|
| Solid | Light maintenance only — one past question a day is enough to keep it fresh |
| Shaky but recoverable | Most of your remaining time — targeted recall practice and past questions |
| Weak and unlikely to fix in time | A brief, honest pass to catch easy marks (definitions, basic formulae) — don't chase depth here |
Past papers under real exam timing, not open-book review
Include timed practice using a paper or section that matches your current course. Use the time limit your school gives you and leave a separate slot to review errors. A past paper helps you practise pacing; it cannot remove all surprises on exam day.
Review the paper the same day you sit it
Review the paper before starting another one. For each missed answer, identify the misunderstanding or first incorrect step, then try a new question on that skill.
Shrink your sessions, don't stretch them
Give each session a defined task, such as answering a question set or reviewing ten cards. Take breaks and adjust the session length if you stop following the material.
Protect sleep, especially in the final 48 hours
Keep your usual sleep routine as the examination approaches. Finish revision early enough to prepare what you need for the next day and wind down.
The night before: consolidate, don't cram
- Do a light review of your strongest summary notes or flashcards — nothing new, nothing you're unfamiliar with.
- Confirm the practical details: exam time, venue, what you're allowed to bring, your index number.
- Stop revising with enough time to actually unwind before sleep. A tired, anxious version of you performs worse than a rested version who knows slightly less.
Choose a topic for your next session
Use a short quiz to check a topic, then review the answers with your notes. AI feedback can help you find a gap, but it needs checking.
Start free with NovariFrequently asked
Should I pull all-nighters in the last week before an exam?
No. Recall — the thing exams actually test — is worse when you're sleep-deprived, and a poor night's sleep before the exam itself is one of the most avoidable ways to lose marks you'd otherwise have kept. If you're choosing between an extra hour of study and sleep in the final two days, take the sleep.