Top 10 tips for exam success

As Australian Year 12 students prepare to sit their final exams, OneSchool Global’s (OSG) Australian Director of Education, Paul Maher, has shared his top 10 tips that will help them make the most of their final days of study.

Mr Maher said that if students approach their preparation with a practical and strategic mindset, they can stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

“Final exams can be a stressful time for students and their families, but there are strategies students can use to stay focused and do their best,” Mr Maher said.

“We have shared these tips across our 31 Australian OSG campuses – but anyone at any school can implement these methods as well.”

10. Create a distraction-free environment – a quiet, organised space improves focus and deep learning. Your environment signals your brain that it’s time to study.

9. Teach what you learn – explaining concepts to someone else helps clarify your understanding.

8. Don’t overstudy – studying 24/7 leads to fatigue and lower performance. Balance, sleep, and rest are essential for effective learning.

7. Use retrieval practice – instead of re-reading, test yourself with flashcards, quizzes, or teaching others. This strengthens memory and understanding.

6. Choose a consistent study space – a familiar environment helps your brain switch into focus mode. Occasionally changing locations can also boost recall through contextual cues.

5. Make your own notes – creating notes helps you process and retain information better than buying pre-made ones. Active learning beats passive reading every time.

4. Use a study schedule – planned, spaced study reduces stress and improves long-term memory.

3. Target your weak areas – focus more time on subjects or topics you struggle with. This improves overall performance and gives the best return on effort.

2. Take Regular Breaks – think of breaks as pit stops – time to refuel your brain. Make sure you eat nutritious meals or snacks and drink enough water!

1. Practice Past Papers – completing past exams boosts memory, reveals gaps, and builds confidence under real conditions. It’s one of the most effective ways to prepare.

Mr Maher concluded with a reminder that pre-exam anxiety is normal.

“It’s okay to feel anxious because that means you care about the result. One of my favourite sayings is ‘action is the antidote to anxiety’, so dive in, take action and you’ll go a long way to calming those nerves.”

– Paul Maher speaking on Triple M Breakfast radio, Brisbane Australia