Exam technique

Exam day advice

Everything you need to walk into your GCSE or IGCSE English exam prepared, calm and ready to do your best.

What to bring

Pack everything the night before. Do not leave this to the morning.

Essentials

✓Black pens (at least 2 -- one will run out at the worst moment)
✓A clear pencil case or clear plastic bag
✓Your candidate number and centre number (check with your school)
✓A watch (non-smart) to track time independently
✓Water bottle (clear, with the label removed)
✓Any required ID or exam card

Useful extras

Pencil and eraser (for annotations and planning)
Highlighters (check your school allows them)
A small ruler (useful for underlining in source texts)
Spare pens in case a friend forgets theirs
A light snack for between papers (nothing noisy or messy)
Tissues (just in case)

How to read the paper

The first 10-15 minutes of your exam should be spent reading, not writing. This is an investment that pays off in every answer you write.

Read the questions first

Before reading the source texts, skim through the questions. This tells your brain what to look for when you read the texts. You will naturally start spotting relevant material.

Read the source texts carefully

Read each text from start to finish. Do not just skim. Many marks are lost because students misunderstand the text. Pay attention to tone, shifts in mood, and the overall arc of the piece.

Annotate as you read

Underline interesting language choices. Circle structural features. Write brief notes in the margins: "metaphor -- creates tension", "shift in tone here", "contrast with opening". These annotations become your evidence bank.

Re-read the question you are about to answer

Before writing each answer, re-read the question. Underline the key command words (analyse, compare, evaluate, describe). Identify the specific focus (language, structure, a particular theme). This prevents you from drifting off-topic.

Check the marks

The mark allocation tells you how much to write. An 8-mark question needs far less than a 30-mark question. Adjust your depth and length accordingly.

How to plan your answers

A planned answer is always better than an unplanned one. Planning takes 3-5 minutes but saves you from waffle, repetition, and running out of ideas mid-paragraph.

For analytical/essay questions

1.Write your thesis (your overall argument) in one sentence at the top.
2.List 3-4 key points as bullet points underneath.
3.Next to each point, jot down the quotation you will use.
4.Note any key techniques to mention (metaphor, contrast, etc.).
5.Write a one-line conclusion idea so you know where you are heading.

For creative writing tasks

1.Decide on your setting, main character, and mood/atmosphere.
2.Plan your opening image or moment -- how will you hook the reader?
3.Sketch 3-4 “moments” or “scenes” -- keep the plot simple.
4.Plan 2-3 specific language techniques you want to use (a metaphor, a simile, sensory detail).
5.Decide on your ending -- make it deliberate, not rushed.

Pro tip: Cross out your plan with a single line when you are done. The marker will not mark it, but if you run out of time, they can see what you intended to write -- and it shows deliberate planning.

How to stay calm under pressure

Exam anxiety is completely normal. The students who perform best are not the ones who feel no nerves -- they are the ones who manage their nerves effectively.

Before the exam

Get a full night's sleep -- cramming until 2am does more harm than good.
Eat a proper breakfast. Your brain needs fuel.
Arrive early but do not stand around listening to other people's panic.
Avoid last-minute revision in the corridor -- it creates anxiety, not confidence.
Listen to music or do breathing exercises if that helps you focus.

During the exam

If you feel overwhelmed, put your pen down and take three slow, deep breaths.
Focus only on the question in front of you, not the whole paper.
If you get stuck on a question, move on and come back to it later.
Do not watch other students. Their speed is irrelevant to your performance.
Remind yourself: you have prepared for this. Trust your preparation.

If you go blank

Re-read the question and the source text slowly. Familiarity will return.
Start writing anything -- even a rough point. Writing unlocks thinking.
Look at your annotations. They were written by a calm version of you.
Use the PEEL structure as scaffolding. Point first, then find evidence.
Remember: you do not need a perfect answer. You need a good-enough answer.

The last 5 minutes

The last five minutes of an exam are some of the most valuable. Use them wisely and you can pick up several extra marks.

Check for unanswered questions

Quickly flip through the paper. Make sure every question has been attempted. A blank answer is a guaranteed zero -- even bullet points are better than nothing.

Proofread for SPaG errors

Read through your writing and correct any spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. SPaG can be worth up to 16 marks on some papers. A missing full stop or a misspelled word is an easy mark thrown away.

Add missing analysis

If you spot a quotation you used but did not fully analyse, add a sentence of analysis in the margin or at the end. Use an asterisk (*) and write "see additional point" next to the relevant paragraph.

Strengthen weak conclusions

If any of your essays trail off without a proper conclusion, add a brief concluding sentence. Even two sentences that summarise your argument are better than an essay that just stops.

Check you have answered the right questions

This sounds obvious, but every year students answer the wrong question. Double-check that you have answered the correct option, especially on Literature papers where you choose a text.

Tidy up your handwriting

If any words are illegible, rewrite them clearly above. Markers cannot award marks for words they cannot read.

You have got this

The fact that you are reading this page means you care about doing well -- and that already puts you ahead. Trust your preparation, follow these strategies, and give every question your best effort. That is all anyone can ask.

Review time management Review question types

One last revision before the big day

Run through our interactive exam technique revision to make sure you are fully prepared.

Exam technique revision

The English Hub is an independent educational platform. Full disclaimer