The idea of taking an exam can be intimidating for students - particularly if they're not confident with the material they're being tested on. There are, however, many effective ways to help students prepare for their exams, both in the classroom and at home.

To begin, it's important that teachers pace the material, presenting it to students in steady increments, rather than large chunks. This will make it easier for students not only to process the information, but also retain the material. The same idea applies to exam revision. Instead of scheduling a revision to span over one day, plan the revision so that it's spread out over a few days - making it less overwhelming for students. In addition, many students find it useful to know what type of exam they'll be taking - whether it's an essay exam, multiple choice, a take-home exam, an open book exam, or an oral exam. Inform your students of the basic format of their exam, as it can help many of them prepare accordingly.

Review tools are another major part of successful exam revision. Using tools such as interactive whiteboards, computer programmes and more could help students understand the material better. Along with using review tools, you might also consider incorporating activities - such as role playing or acting out a lesson in some way - to help the material "stick".

In addition, ensure your students know they're welcome to ask for help at anytime. Sometimes, students can shy away from asking for help because they feel they're expected to know the material already, or because they feel they're never going to grasp the material. However, continually communicating that you're always available for help - no matter how trivial the material may seem, or how far into the term the class is - will encourage students to approach you if they need assistance.

Last but not least, it often helps to provide students with a handout on exam revision guidance. Make a clear and concise list of ways that students can prepare for exams when they're not in the classroom - whether it's on their own, with the help of a parent, or with a group of friends from class. Pointing them in the direction of useful resources from the very beginning - as well as pacing the material, using review tools like interactive whiteboards, and offering as much help as possible - will ultimately help them succeed in the classroom and on their exams.

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