If your exam is in the next 48 hours, here is how to make the best use of your remaining time.
What to do
Focus on high-yield topics
Not all topics carry equal marks. In the final 48 hours, prioritise:
- Electricity calculations (V = IR, P = IV, energy costs). These appear regularly across papers.
- Forces and motion equations (v = s/t, a = (v minus u)/t, F = ma). Core calculations that earn reliable marks.
- Graph skills (gradient, area under the curve). A graph question appears on almost every Paper 4.
- Definitions and key terms. Many 1-mark questions simply ask for a definition. Knowing 20 precise definitions can earn 20 easy marks.
Use active recall
Do not re-read your notes passively. Instead:
- Write out equations from memory, then check.
- Attempt past paper questions under timed conditions.
- Explain a concept out loud as if teaching someone.
Review your error log
If you have been tracking your past paper mistakes, look at the topics where you lose marks most often. Spend extra time on those specific areas.
Do one timed paper
If you have not done a full timed paper recently, do one now. This calibrates your pacing and identifies any remaining gaps.
What to avoid
Do not try to learn new topics
If you have not studied a topic at all, spending 2 hours on it the night before will not produce reliable exam marks. Your time is better spent consolidating topics you already partly know.
Do not stay up late
Sleep is when your brain consolidates memory. Going to bed late to cram reduces your recall and slows your thinking during the exam. Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep the night before.
Do not panic
Anxiety reduces working memory. If you feel overwhelmed, take 5 minutes to breathe slowly, then return to focused revision on one specific topic. Small, targeted effort beats unfocused worry.
The morning of the exam
- Eat breakfast. Your brain needs glucose.
- Review your equation sheet one more time (15 minutes maximum).
- Check you have everything: calculator, ruler, pencil, eraser, pen, your exam entry document.
- Arrive early. Rushing increases anxiety.
- Do not discuss the exam with classmates beforehand. Other people’s anxiety is contagious.
During the exam
Read each question twice before answering. Write the equation first for calculation questions. Show all working. Do not leave any question blank.
Apply this study skill next
Need a Plan Based on Actual Work?
A private taught trial can help distinguish whether the repeated difficulty is mainly Physics knowledge, Mathematics, practical reasoning or exam technique before regular lessons are discussed.