Many students spend hours revising but still walk out of exams wondering where the marks went. In many cases, the issue isn’t a lack of effort — it’s losing marks through ineffective revision, poor exam strategies, and avoidable mistakes during the paper itself.
Here are 12 practical, exam-focused tips for getting good marks in exams, so you can walk into the hall feeling prepared and walk out having done your best.
Start Your Exam Preparation the Right Way
1. Plan revision around the exam paper, not just the syllabus
Instead of only asking “what chapters do I need to study?”, start asking “where do the marks usually come from?”.
To begin, go through past papers and mark schemes to see which topics and question types are tested most often and carry more marks. This will help you build a study plan that targets high‑value areas, rather than spending equal time on everything.
For example, if you notice that problem sums take up half your Maths paper, give them more revision time across the week than simple one-step questions.
By planning your study timetable around where the marks are, you’re spending more of your study time on the parts of the paper that can move your grade the most.
2. Practise with past papers under exam conditions
Past papers are one of the best tools if you’re wondering how to get more marks in exam settings.
Set a timer, sit down in a quiet study space, and complete the paper without checking your notes. Then mark your work honestly (or ask your parent or tutor to mark it) and note where you lost marks.
After awhile, you’ll notice that you:
- Get used to the exam format and question styles
- Learn how long different sections take you to improve your time management in the real exam
- Spot patterns in your mistakes, so your next round of revision can focus on those areas
When you use past papers like this, your revision starts to feel like the actual exam, not just study time.
Use Proven Revision Methods
3. Break your study sessions with the Pomodoro technique
If you find your focus fading during revision, try the Pomodoro technique. Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5‑minute break, and repeat; after four rounds, take a longer break.
The short bursts make it easier to stay on task, and the breaks make sure you are actually absorbing the information instead of just staring at your notes.
These focused study sessions train your brain to work hard for a fixed block of time, which is similar to how you need to concentrate during the exam.
It’s a simple way to build the stamina you need to score high marks across the entire paper, not just at the start.
4. Use self-testing so you can recall facts quickly in the exam
Instead of rereading your notes, close them and try to recall what you just studied — formulas, definitions, and key steps — from memory. This is called retrieval practice.
You can use flashcards, practice tests, or just write down everything you know about one topic.
Because the exam is about what you can remember without your notes, self‑testing trains the exact skill you need to get the marks: fast and accurate recall under pressure.
Using this approach, you’ll get more time in the exam to think about how to apply the information, instead of wasting precious minutes trying to remember it.
5. Mix topics and question types like a real exam
Most papers jump from one type of question to another — from MCQs to structured questions to problem sums.
To mirror that in your revision, try mixing different question types in the same practice block. For instance, mix a few problem sums, some short-answer questions, and a couple of MCQs during your Maths session.
This interleaving technique forces your brain to reset and figure out “what type of thinking does this question need?”, just like during the real exam.
The result is that you’ll be more flexible and less likely to freeze when the paper suddenly changes style, which can help you score more marks across sections.
Maximise Your Marks During the Exam
6. Use the first few minutes to scan and plan your paper
When the invigilator says “begin”, don’t jump head first into the paper. Instead, spend 2-3 minutes to do a quick scan through the entire paper:
- check how many sections there are
- how many marks each question carries
- which questions look easier for you
Doing so can help you decide where to start (usually the ones you’re most confident in), so you can “lock in” marks early. This simple strategy also helps you note down the high-mark questions that will need more time, so you don’t leave them to the last minute.
Bonus: Avoid spending too long on a single hard question and then rushing through easier ones at the end. Careless mistakes may happen during the rush.
7. Match your time to the marks
A common reason students lose marks is poor time management during the exam itself, not a lack of knowledge. A good rule of thumb is to link your time to the mark allocation.
For example, glance at the marks beside each question and adjust the detail of your answer to match.
A 2‑mark question usually needs one clear point with a short explanation, while an 8‑mark question needs a more detailed, well‑structured answer.
Most importantly, learn to move on when you’ve already spent “your share” of time on a low‑mark question to save yourself from leaving high‑mark questions unanswered.
8. Read questions twice and underline key words before answering
Before you start answering, read each question at least twice and underline or circle key words — such as “explain”, “compare”, “calculate”, “using a diagram”, or “give two reasons”.
Then, as you write, check that you’re directly responding to each part of the question.
This habit reduces careless mistakes like giving only one reason when the question asked for two, or describing when you were supposed to explain.
For papers where you need every mark you can get, this simple checking routine can make a big difference.
Present Your Answers the Way Examiners Expect
9. Show every Maths step and train your “careless mistake radar”
In Maths, it’s best to write your steps clearly — even if you’re confident — so that if you slip on a small calculation, you can still get method marks.
To cut down on careless mistakes, build a quick checking routine:
- After solving, ask “Does this answer make sense?” If the number is strangely large or small, something might be off.
- Check that you copied numbers correctly from the question.
- Make sure you’ve written the correct units when needed.
If you tend to lose marks to “silly” slips even when you know the method, give our article on How to Prevent Careless Mistakes in Exams: 9 Tips for Students a read! It dives deep into practical ways to reduce calculation errors, misreads and other small mistakes that quietly pull your marks down.
10. Use a clear answer structure in English so every point gets credit
In English comprehension and longer response questions, using a simple structure can help you turn your ideas into answers that exam markers can easily reward.
One popular method is PEEL: Point, Evidence, Explain, Link. For example, instead of writing a single vague sentence, you:
- Make a clear point that directly answers the question
- Support it with evidence from the passage or question
- Explain how that evidence proves your point
- Link back to the question to show you’ve fully answered it
This way, you’re less likely to lose marks for responses that are too short, unclear, or off-topic.
If you often feel unsure whether your answers are “detailed enough”, consider enrolling in a Primary English tuitionto help you practise answer structures, strengthen your vocabulary, and identify where your marks are being lost.
11. Use Science keywords and match your points to the marks
For Science, examiners often look for specific keywords or phrases in your answers, such as “evaporation”, “condensation”, “energy conversion”, or “photosynthesis”.
When you revise, pay attention to the exact terms used in your textbook and past papers, and practise including them correctly in your answers.
Also, always match your number of points to the marks available. If a question is worth 3 marks, aim to write three clear, separate points or steps, so you could score full marks.
Not sure which keywords to use or how much to write for each question? That’s where a structured Primary Science tuition can help, by giving you guided practice with exam-style questions and clear feedback on how to structure your answers for maximum marks.
Always Check Your Paper at the End
12. Use a simple 2-step checking system
If you have any time left at the end of the exam, use it wisely with a quick 2‑step system:
- Completion check:
Flip through every page. Make sure your name and index are written, and that no questions or sub‑questions are left blank. - Accuracy check:
- For Maths and Science, re‑do key calculations quickly, check if your answers seem reasonable, and confirm that you included units where needed.
- For English, scan for missing words, capital letters, punctuation, and sentences that don’t quite answer the question.
This doesn’t have to be perfect — even catching one or two small mistakes is often enough to improve your grades and gain the few extra marks that push you up a band.
Give Your Child the Edge They Need at The Nuggets Academy
Sometimes, the fastest way for a student to improve their exam performance is to get guided support from teachers who understand how marks are awarded and where students commonly slip up.
Whether your child is struggling with problem sums, losing marks to careless mistakes, or just needs more structured exam preparation support, The Nuggets Academy is here to help.
Here’s what students can expect:
- Expert-led lessons in Maths, English and Science, designed to build real understanding — not just rote memorisation
- Proven problem-solving frameworks for tackling challenging questions like problem sums and open-ended Science questions, using structured, step-by-step methods
- A unique approach that goes beyond tuition — programmes like Brain Train work on the cognitive skills behind learning, helping students become sharper, more independent thinkers
- Small-group classes that allow teachers to give personalised attention and feedback on what each student specifically needs to improve
- A supportive, encouraging environment where students feel motivated to learn, build confidence, and grow at their own pace
Ready to help your child get good marks and feel more confident going into every exam?