Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of learning

Dr Jennifer Veilleux, clinical psychologist and author of Open to Emotion, shares research-based tools for managing academic stress. She explains how emotions are generated, when negative feelings help or harm, and the thinking threshold for action. Learn about cognitive reappraisal, plan B strategies to lower pressure, and why procrastination is often an emotional avoidance tactic.

A deep dive into the U-shaped curve of study effort and performance. Tips on spotting where you sit on that curve through metacognition. Discussion of motivation versus burnout and finding the right study intensity. Advice on mixing flashcards and past papers depending on what you already know. How to personalise spaced repetition frequency to avoid under- or over-studying.

A high-achiever’s case study on hitting top 1% through rigid daily habits and metacognitive routines. A deep dive into a 300-day Anki streak, card-making practices, and specific spaced retrieval settings. Detailed systems for tracking past papers, trial feedback use, and exam-day time management tactics. Practical strategies for turning class listening into effective study material.

A pep talk on why tiny, do-able study goals beat big, sporadic pushes. Practical tips for starting conservatively and choosing a ‘bad-day’ task you can always complete. Warnings about overambitious targets, burnout and where your goals really come from. A steady, scalable approach that rewards consistency and lets progress accelerate over time.

Alex Quigley, former teacher and author known for writing about learning and classroom practice, outlines eight predictable ways studying breaks down. He discusses overconfidence, prior-knowledge gaps, planning failures, metacognition, spaced retrieval, tackling disliked topics, deliberate practice, and turning facts into exam-ready synthesis.

What if improving results across an entire school came down to a handful of simple learning habits, done well, every day? In this episode we sit down with two headteachers from top-performing UK schools – Andy Green (Copleston High School) and Peter Lee (Q3 Academy Langley) – to discover how the science of learning effectively has influenced their leadership, teaching approaches, and the learning experiences of their students when put into practice across an entire school community.We unpack how clear routines in the classroom, research-led CPD, well-communicated simple revision strategies, and a tight teaching playbook can improve engagement, consistency and exam results school-wide. This episode is slightly different to our normal fare, but it is packed with practical insights. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, parent or student, you’ll come away with concrete ideas for building a culture of effective learning – in the classroom and at home.**Three invitations for (UK) educators:1.      Come and watch me teach (revision strategy workshop) Want to see what expert revision strategy training actually looks like in a real classroom? Come and watch me in action delivering a revision strategy workshop in a school near you. 2.      Take part in the Revision CensusI’ve surveyed the revision habits of over 75,000 students in the UK to date. Want an insight into the habits of your own students? Participate in the Revision Census and get a clear, data-rich picture of your students’ current habits, what’s working well, and where the biggest opportunities for improvement lie.3.      Work with me (student workshops + teacher CPD)Level up on learning science across your whole school: sign up for high-impact revision workshops for students and CPD for teachers in your own school. If any of these sound useful for your school, get in touch with Katie at katie@examstudyexpert.com  and we’ll get the ball rolling.**🎓About Exam Study Expert: Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress. 🎯 Book 1:1 COACHING to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/ 📘Get Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book: https://geni.us/exams * ** Podcast edited by Kerri Edinburgh. * As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Nathan Burns, author and metacognition educator known as Mr Metacognition, shares practical reflective tools for smarter studying. He explains what metacognition is and how to analyze test performance. Learn simple planning templates, quick reflection grids like PMI, exam wrappers and monitoring checklists to keep your studying on track.

Join William for a quick pep talk on showing due respect to the exam you're sitting, with surprising benefits for your motivation, enjoyment of the study process and even your end result.*Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress.BOOK 1:1 COACHING to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/* Get a copy of Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book, at https://geni.us/exams** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Colin Corby, technologist and digital detox coach who helps people reclaim focus, shares quick, practical ways to beat constant digital distraction. He talks about how devices harm sleep and attention. Short wins include phone-free study zones, protecting sleep, micro-challenges and social accountability. Practical, realistic strategies you can try immediately.

Discover the art of perfect study breaks for enhanced focus and energy! Learn how the right activities can recharge you while avoiding the pitfalls of procrastination. Explore ten practical break ideas that are both restorative and easy to pause. From light reading to calming chores, each suggestion is designed to elevate your study efficiency. Movement-based breaks like stretching or walking are highlighted to boost creativity. Embrace the power of doing almost nothing for ultimate relaxation!