Preparation and confidence
Having a plan and knowing where you stand
High score: You have a plan for the time you have, you know your strong and weak topics, and you practise under exam conditions.
Low score: Your preparation feels like one large cloud. You are not sure where you stand, and you have little practice under timed conditions.
Worry and self-talk
How you talk to yourself about exams and results
High score: You can look at a poor result, learn from it and carry on, and you do not treat one exam as the verdict on your life.
Low score: Worry about results or letting others down takes over your thinking, or you replay mistakes and treat one exam as a final verdict.
Sleep, food and body
Looking after the body that carries you through exams
High score: You keep a regular sleep time, eat proper meals, take breaks and move your body even during heavy study weeks.
Low score: Sleep, meals and breaks are the first things you give up in exam weeks, and you may lean on tea, coffee or late nights to keep going.
Handling the exam itself
Time, nerves and routine in the exam hall
High score: You plan the paper, manage time by section, move on when stuck and have a routine for exam mornings.
Low score: In the paper you rush, get stuck on one question for too long or freeze, and the days around the exam feel disorganised.
Talking and getting support
Sharing the load with people around you
High score: You have people you can be honest with, you ask for help early, and you make room for rest and company.
Low score: You carry exam worries alone, wait too long to ask for help, or find that home or friends add to the pressure.