Know your content - an obvious statement when looking at what it takes to have a successful exam experience, but there are other habitual changes you can make to boost your efficiency on the big day.

The 24 hours prior to your exam can have a big impact on your results.

Let’s take a look at some useful tips you can use to maximise your time and decrease your stress levels:

The Night Before

Pack your bag, make your lunch, iron your shirt - do as much as you can the night before so you can wake up stress-free, knowing that these minor admin tasks have been taken care of.

Try to close your books a few hours before going to bed, this will give your mind some breathing room and allow you to relax and de-stress.

Make sure you get at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep - Netflix and Facebook can wait.

The Morning Of

Wake up as early as possible. This will give your mind and body ample time to fully shake the fog of sleep before writing. This also means you have time to eat a full breakfast. We know this might not be everyone’s favourite meal of the day, but it is the most important.

Think high protein and nutrient rich foods such as eggs, peanut butter, fruit, yogurt - the list goes on. These will fuel your brain throughout the session.

What You Wear Matters

In the literal sense - You’re going to be seated for at least 3 hours. If you feel more comfortable doing this in a pair of sweatpants as opposed to tight jeans, go with what works best for you. Take the weather and, more importantly, your exam venue conditions into account as well.

Leave Early

Make sure to leave your home with enough time to spare. As a rule of thumb, if your examination centre is 20 minutes away, allow for 40. Traffic, car issues - life is full of unexpected surprises, so try and stay one step ahead.

None of these steps can substitute for the hard work and the effort taken to really understand your syllabus. However, small changes such as these can make the difference of a percentage or two, which could mean claiming a distinction or more importantly, snatching a pass.

Good luck!