How to Review Your School’s Exam Strategy Without the Stress

As the academic year winds down it’s tempting to simply breathe out, tick the final boxes, and head for a well-earned summer break.

But now—while the exam season is still fresh in everyone’s minds—is the ideal time to reflect on what really worked (and what didn’t). Because your exam strategy isn’t just about grades. It’s about how your students felt, how your staff coped, and how sustainable the whole process really was.

And the good news? This kind of review doesn’t have to be stressful. Done right, it sets your school up for a calmer, more effective September—for staff and students alike.

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Reflect

In July, teachers and support staff have something that’s often missing during the peak of exam season: perspective.

• Students’ behaviours, stress responses, and outcomes are fresh in everyone’s minds.
• Staff can still clearly remember the pinch points—deadlines, burnout, last-minute panics.
• There’s still time to act on feedback and plan CPD and student support well before term begins.

Waiting until September to review exam strategies means you miss a huge opportunity: real-time learning.

What to Review: A 360° Approach to Exam Strategy

To create a successful exam culture, your review should go beyond the data dashboard. Consider:

✅ 1. Staff Feedback

What did classroom teachers, pastoral teams, SENCOs, and exam officers experience? What parts of the exam prep process felt overwhelming or unmanageable?

Use short surveys or small focus groups to explore:

• Were revision expectations realistic?
• Was there clarity around mock exams and data tracking?
• Were staff supported when students showed high stress or disengagement?

Top tip: Keep it simple—4–6 well-chosen questions, with space for comments.

✅ 2. Student Stress & Pastoral Support

What emotional and behavioural patterns showed up this year?

Ask:

• Did anxiety peak during mocks or the real thing?
• Were there students who refused to engage—and why?
• Did your pastoral team face a flood of last-minute referrals?

Use this to assess whether students were prepared academically and emotionally. Because exam success doesn’t just rely on subject knowledge—it relies on thinking skills and emotional regulation too.

✅ 3. Timelines, Workload & Revision Culture

Where did the pressure build up?

Reflect on:

• Did exam preparation start early enough?
• Were students taught how to revise—not just what to revise?
• Did staff feel rushed, squeezed, or unsupported during mock season?

A great exam strategy balances structure with wellbeing—and avoids the all-too-familiar “sprint and crash” cycle.

The Missing Piece: Thinking Skills as Exam Preparation

One of the most overlooked parts of exam success is how students think under pressure. Even the brightest students struggle if they:

• Panic and blank during tests
• Spiral into overthinking
• Don’t know how to manage their stress
• Give up when something feels hard

That’s why forward-thinking schools are investing in thinking skills CPD for staff—and teaching students how to manage their thoughts, emotions, and study approach alongside their subject knowledge.

This isn’t just pastoral fluff. It’s evidence-based support that helps students perform better and stay regulated in high-pressure settings.

Planning Ahead: How to Set September Up for Success

🗓️ 1. Schedule Your Review Before Term Ends

Even 30 minutes in a staff meeting can spark insight. Invite honest discussion using prompts like:

• What felt harder than it needed to be?
• What one thing helped most?
• What support would you value next year?

🧠 2. Book CPD That Covers Stress and Thinking, Not Just Study Skills

Traditional revision techniques matter—but students also need strategies to:

• Stay calm
• Focus attention
• Reflect on feedback
• Handle fear of failure

Book CPD that empowers staff to embed these strategies across the curriculum.

📝 3. Set Up Surveys While Feedback Is Fresh

Don’t wait until September. Use Google Forms or Microsoft Forms now to collect:

• Staff input on the exam process
• Student reflections on how they prepared
• Pastoral team insights on referrals and mental health needs

📈 4. Track What Worked—and Repeat It

Identify bright spots in your approach. Did early intervention help? Did one revision strategy stick better than others? Use data and anecdotes to plan smarter, not harder.

Final Thought: Exam Success Starts Long Before Exam Season

If this year’s exam season felt rushed, reactive, or draining—it’s not a failure. It’s feedback.

By reviewing now, you give your staff the clarity, capacity, and confidence to walk into September with a better plan—and your students the chance to approach exams with less fear and more focus.

What went well this year? What will you carry forward? And how will you make it easier for everyone next time?

📘 Ready to Plan Ahead?

I help schools deliver CPD that prepares students and staff with the tools they need for exam season success—without stress.
Let’s talk about how to build a plan that fits your school.

👉 Book a CPD call now
📩 Or email me at [email protected] to go over staff training options and resources.