Effective studying is retaining and understanding what you read, so that you are able to reproduce it correctly on the exam paper. And short periods of quality studying work better than long hours of reading. So take frequent breaks and remember to understand what you’re reading.

Prepare a realistic time-table and stick to it:
Devise a time-table for each day and decide how much time you are going to give to study - say three or four hours over an evening - and break this into five or six 30 to 40-minute sessions. Some of these sessions could be used for reading and learning and others can be for revision. Also including variety helps to make studying interesting and enhances learning. For instance, you could try Geography, followed by French, following by maths for one study schedule.

It is extremely important to achieve balance in your life in the run up to examinations. Eight hours sleep at night and regular exercise are both crucial and improve your concentration. If you're not a regular participant in sports, do something else that interests you. Walking is easy, cheap and will make you look and feel better. A 20-minute brisk walk every day or every other day will make you a more efficient learner.

A little relaxation and fun will keep tabs on your anxiety levels as exam time approaches. Don't give up your social life completely. It's important that you have a good social outlet at this time. Spend time with friends, have a laugh. At the end of an evening of study, you could also try to do something that relaxes you before you go to bed. Taking a bath, listening to some music or reading a book are all great options. Also, do try to maintain a good sleep routine as you approach your exams.

Examinations are important, but they are not everything. You should never forget that your worth as a person is not tested by any examination. That’s why it is essential to look after yourself before exam time, and take less stress. Think positively about your exams. They give you an opportunity to demonstrate what you know and are not designed to highlight your weaknesses. If you feel you are more stressed that you should be, talk to someone about it. Explaining your feelings to someone you trust - a parent, teacher or friend - can help to you to reduce your stress levels and keep cool.

The morning of the exam should not be used for last-minute cramming, but a calm revision of all the chapters. A light breakfast of cornflakes or fruit would be ideal. Avoid foods that may nauseate you, like too much milk, eggs or meat. Prepare the bag you are taking carefully. Making sure you have essentials like pens that work (you might want to try breaking them in before the exam for optimum results), pencils, an eraser, a sharpener, a ruler, coloured pencils or markers, your notes to look over if you need to, any medicine you may need and a bottle of water. Avoid discussing the exam topics with friends—it only causes tension and confusion. Be confident about your own preparation.