Bucks &amp; Oxon

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Summer is looming into view, but so is – uh oh – the dreaded school exam season. With Y6 SATs, the 11+ Secondary Transfer Test for Buckinghamshire grammar schools, GCSEs and then A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate all taxing our children&#8217;s brains at different ages and stages of their education, it seems as though children’s schooldays are now one never-ending series of tests and exams. Cue blind panic – and that’s just the parents!



Well, (try to) relax, because we spoke to Dr Jasmine Anilmis, Clinical Director at young minds specialist Your Way Psychology &amp; Education, and her expert team for their advice on how to get through this testing time – particularly if your child needs extra support.



Okay, so let&#8217;s try to unpick what&#8217;s going on in our children&#8217;s minds during exam season. How do we even begin to navigate these testing times?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="989" height="658" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-10-at-14.36.20-1.png" alt="Exams" class="wp-image-185274" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-10-at-14.36.20-1.png 989w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-10-at-14.36.20-1-800x532.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-10-at-14.36.20-1-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 989px) 100vw, 989px" /></figure>



The first thing to say is that navigating school exams is a common challenge, and it&#8217;s important to distinguish between stress and anxiety. A stress response to exams can be motivating, for example it can drive children to prepare diligently and focus under exam conditions. As long as the stress is short-term and the task feels achievable, the right amount of stress is useful. However, chronic stress that has built up to overwhelming levels can be more difficult&nbsp;to manage.



Test anxiety, on the other hand, covers a range of emotional, physical and cognitive areas and it only really refers to an adverse reaction to stress or the feeling of being unable to cope with, or succeed in, the exam. If academic pressure is too high it triggers a ‘threat response’. The physical symptoms include sweating, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and thoughts or fears of failing. Many adults have experienced this too, so it&#8217;s worth considering what helped you in these situations. How did you cope? As a general rule we want to reduce children&#8217;s threat response – or soften/weaken it over time.



Okay, so it sounds like parents need to do everything they can to avoid adding to the stress and anxiety?



Yes. We know that more girls than boys are affected by test anxiety, and it can be made even worse if a child doesn&#8217;t believe they are good enough, or if they struggle to regulate their emotions. So fear-based messages to scare a child into working harder (e.g. “this exam is the most important thing you will ever do, and unless you knuckle down you’ll fail in life”) can understandably increase anxiety. We also know that each individual child has a different way of coping with stressful situations, and this may be compounded by developmental differences. Parents who set unrealistic or unattainable standards can increase a child’s sense they are not going to succeed, and transferring their own stress to their child can have a damaging impact.



Here&#8217;s the million-dollar question. Any tips for getting homework or revision completed without a huge battle?



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A starting point is to ask yourself – what is the point of the homework/revision? And what would your child say? If children can see the value in something, they are more likely to do it. Don’t be afraid of using tangible rewards to help bridge the motivation gap for tackling a subject they dislike. For example, set an achievable target and then reward the child if they complete it. Work with your child to agree a natural routine for homework and revision at the same time/day each week.



What can I do if I think my child’s exam anxiety is already significant?



For some children, therapeutic support may be helpful. This would usually include cognitive behavioural therapy. In these sessions, the therapist challenges thoughts around exams and teaches relaxation techniques like mindfulness or similar approaches. If you are looking for someone with the appropriate qualifications to provide CBT, a good starting place is the BABCP register for accredited therapists. You could also approach your local CAMHS service to see what support they could offer to your child.



What should I do if I think my child is struggling with exams more than their peers?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/EXAMS.jpg" alt="Exams" class="wp-image-185283" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/EXAMS.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/EXAMS-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/EXAMS-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/EXAMS-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Children can have more difficulty accessing exams for a wide range of reasons. If your child has a pre-existing condition like anxiety, autism, ADHD, or other differences or disabilities that may affect their ability to access the exam, they might benefit from what are called&nbsp;access arrangements: adjustments for candidates based on evidence of need and normal way of working. Access arrangements are covered by the law (Equalities, Act 2010) and include things like rest breaks, extra time, being assisted by readers/scribes, or using computers instead of handwriting (you can read more on the JCQ guidance covering A-level, GCSE and IB exams <a href="https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/JCQ-AARA-24-25_FINAL_accessible.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>, and the access arrangements for Bucks grammar school entrance exams <a href="https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools-index/school-admissions/school-admissions-guides-policies-and-statistics/guide-to-grammar-schools-and-the-secondary-school-transfer-test-11-plus/adjustments-to-the-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>). For example, it would be common for children with ADHD or autism to have 25% extra time, or supervised rest breaks.



For some of these arrangements, the school will need formal evidence like a medical diagnosis of a condition like autism or ADHD, or to complete an in-school test by a specially qualified teacher or educational psychologist. For others, the school will need to confirm if the arrangements are your child’s usual way of working in lessons. The point is to allow people with a disability to access the exam fairly. Depending on where your child is in their education journey, the application for access arrangements usually needs to be made by 21 March. Your Way Psychology &amp; Education can carry out access arrangements assessments for children or schools. Find out more <a href="https://www.yourwaypsychology.co.uk/educational-psychologist-assessment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> or <a href="https://www.yourwaypsychology.co.uk/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contact the team</a> for advice.



The first step is usually to speak to the&nbsp;school’s SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) &#8211; although their role may have a different title that includes, for example, SEN, SEND, Inclusion, Learning Support or Pastoral. If you are unsure, you can always ask your child’s class teacher, form tutor, or House Master. The guidance around access arrangements changes slightly each year, although you can find the full guidance on the <a href="https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JCQ website</a>. If you would like some advice, feel free to contact <a href="https://www.yourwaypsychology.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Your Way Psychology &amp; Education</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="654" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-10-at-14.35.28.png" alt="Exams" class="wp-image-185271" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-10-at-14.35.28.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-10-at-14.35.28-800x523.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-10-at-14.35.28-400x262.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



And what if my child has dyslexia or dyscalculia? Are they entitled to extra support in exams?



Usually children who have a difficulty like dyslexia may benefit from things like: a reader (a person who sits in the exam and reads the paper to the child or reads their answers back), text-to-speech software or a reading pen, a scribe (a person who writes the exam out from a child’s dictation), or 25% extra time to allow the child to go back and proof-read or edit their work. Schools will often already have this in their policy, but a laptop may also make this process of writing or editing easier, and could be a good start.



Don&#8217;t be surprised if a school says a child may need to attempt a mock without the access arrangements, because sometimes they use this as evidence. But do feel you can dispute or challenge the school if you think your child needs more support in the exam. Dyslexia usually counts as a disability, and the access arrangements provide access to the exam like a ramp or lift provides physical access to a building. It is not a nice add-on, it is an issue in law from the Equalities Act.



What do the experts at Your Way Psychology feel are the main reasons for children’s learning or social-emotional challenges in school, in their experience?



There are so many reasons for this, but&nbsp;a central one is the inclusivity of the school and the school providing the right support for the child. As hard as it is to say, challenges with learning or mental health are part of many children&#8217;s lives. Around 20% of children have a potentially diagnosable mental health condition within a given year, and many more struggle at times with issues with low mood or stress.



If a child is struggling at school, how would an educational psychologist support them?



Educational Psychologists (EPs) use a personalised, detailed, and tailored approach to assessment using a combination of cognitive assessments, standardised tests, classroom observation, and consultation with parents and teachers. An EP assessment identifies the underlying causes affecting your child’s progress. An EP may assess children from birth to 25 years of age. This considers the whole child and all the strengths, abilities and needs they may have. The Educational Psychology report provides personalised recommendations to support learning, social and emotional challenges, and overall wellbeing. The result may be helpful in shaping effective early interventions at home and school and, where needed, applications for Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seven-golden-rules-for-parents-navigating-exam-season">Seven golden rules for parents navigating exam season</h2>



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<ul>
<li>For GCSEs and A-levels, creating a good revision plan is key. This should help students feel they can do well – and make the test feel more manageable and directly reduce feelings of anxiety.</li>



<li>Create a positive feeling around exams that motivates children to succeed. Think about how the people around your child talk about tests and exams. Too little stress and the exam doesn&#8217;t seem important; too much and the fear of failure may seem overwhelming. This balance will be different for all children.</li>



<li>Establish an aspirational but achievable goal with your child. As with all things, there is a balance between stretching your child’s thinking and overwhelming them. But achievable is a far better place to be in terms of managing anxiety.</li>



<li>Explore <a href="https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/JCQ-AARA-24-25_FINAL_accessible.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">access arrangements</a> if needed.</li>



<li>Regulate yourself and try to reduce pressure on yourself too. Exams are stressful for everyone, but your stress can contribute to your child&#8217;s anxiety and could affect their performance in the exam. It&#8217;s your role to present the calm.</li>



<li>Remember that some stress is helpful and natural and something to work with. If your child is experiencing very high levels of stress, it may be worth speaking to your local GP or CAMHS.</li>



<li>Make sure you build in enjoyable and relaxing things around the exam preparation. Help your child eat well, stay hydrated and get enough sleep.</li>
</ul>



<a href="https://www.yourwaypsychology.co.uk/">Your Way Psychology &amp; Education</a> covers Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. It offers neurodevelopmental assessments as well as broader Educational Psychology assessments of children’s learning profiles, and assessments for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia and dyscalculia. The team can also provide parent intervention support to help with behavioural challenges, EHCP support, assessments for exam access arrangements, and supervision for clinical and educational professionals. For more information or to request an initial free telephone consultation,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yourwaypsychology.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visit their website</a>&nbsp;or email&nbsp;<a>admin@yourwaypsychology.co.uk</a>.

Testing times! How to help your child through exam season

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