How To Do Well In Your English Exam. The Important Stuff.

Confidence. I’ve lost count of how many times I, as a teacher and a tutor, have told a student ‘don’t doubt yourself, that was an amazing point’. This usually comes after a student starting an explanation, then panicking when they hear how intellectual it sounds and trying to backtrack. I have to encourage them to continue, and pretty much every time what they have to say is brilliant. Now, a common trait of having a fantastic mind is doubting yourself. To meet your potential in English, you need to push those doubts to the side and know that what you have to say is brilliant. Don’t hesitate and wonder whether you’re right: tell your examiner you are right and use the text to prove it! You have studied this subject for years, believe that you really do know it.

Interest. As an English teacher I am pretty much inclined to believing that English is the best and most interesting and exciting subject in the world. Now, if you do not quite share my fascination with language and literature, you may struggle in creating an academic essay. You may find yourself stuck in a mid-range grade, when you know you are capable of more. To give yourself a boost, you really do need to find an interest in language, and in the topic of the text. The top bands in the mark scheme want you to explore the text. To explore the text you must take an interest in it. So, during the exam, if your text subject is all about knitting, you must believe that knitting is your new passion in life, and analysing the way in which your true passion is presented on paper is of utmost importance. This interest will help you find your rhythm in your analysis and help you to create interesting and detailed points about the language used.

Planning. Students tend to have a profound aversion to planning their answers. They often argue that it is a waste of five minutes that could be spent on the essay, but if you want to create a well structured essay that explores all of the key points- planning is essential. A plan stops you writing about the simple stuff and helps you delve into the interesting (higher level) stuff. It also helps the flow and structure of your writing. Pick apart the quotes, identify the language devices, link them back to context, analyse in depth and explore the connotations all in your plan. Then, while you’re writing the body of your work, you can focus on your writing style. Spending a couple of minutes planning before you create your response can make a huge impact on your work, so please don’t underestimate it!

Relaxation. Please don’t get yourself worked up into a frenzy with your revision. If you’re anxious, stressed and unhappy you won’t be learning anything. Change your mindset and just relax. Revision is important, but it should be seen as reinforcing what you have already learned rather than cramming information into your head. Get a good night sleep every night, create a revision schedule that keeps you organised, try to be creative with your revision to make it fun and interesting, and take lots of breaks and be positive. You’ll be surprised at how much you really do know. Your best work, in your revision and in your exam, will happen when you’re feeling calm and ready to go. This can only happen if you look after yourself.