Exam Information

Exam Style Questions and Exam Board Information – 2027

Practise, prepare and build your confidence for GCSE success.

Completing past papers and exam-style questions is one of the most effective ways to prepare for your GCSE examinations. It helps you become familiar with the types of questions you may be asked, understand how marks are awarded and identify areas where you need further revision.

Our Exam Style Questions and Exam Board Information Guide brings together useful revision websites, links to past papers and information about the examination boards used for each subject at Prenton High School.

Exam Days

Everything you need to know to feel prepared for examination day.

Understanding examination arrangements, expectations and procedures is an important part of preparing for success.

This section provides essential information for students and families, including examination timetables, regulations, candidate guidance and important updates from the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

Students should familiarise themselves with the rules surrounding examinations, including permitted equipment, prohibited items, punctuality and appropriate conduct.

We also provide guidance for parents and carers to help support students through the examination period.

Before your examinations:

• Check your examination timetable carefully.
• Know the date, time and location of each examination.
• Prepare the equipment you need in advance.
• Read the relevant JCQ Information for Candidates documents.
• Speak to a member of staff if you have any questions or concerns.

Remember: Being organised and knowing what to expect can help reduce unnecessary worry, allowing you to focus on demonstrating what you know and can do.

Examination Contingency Day

GCSE Examination Contingency Day – Wednesday 23 June 2027

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has designated Wednesday 23 June 2027 as the national examination contingency day.

This date is reserved in case examinations need to be rescheduled due to national or significant local disruption.

All Year 11 students must remain available up to and including Wednesday 23 June 2027, even if they have completed their scheduled examinations.

We kindly ask families to avoid booking holidays or other commitments before this date.

Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) Information for Candidates

The following documents have been produced by the Joint Council for Qualifications to support students and their families in preparing for external examinations. Please click the links below to access these documents.

Revision Resources

Revise smarter, build confidence and make your learning stick.

Effective revision is about more than simply reading through notes. Understanding how to revise, choosing strategies that work and practising regularly can make a real difference to how much information you remember. Our revision resources are designed to help students become more independent, organised and confident learners. Explore our Power to Perform guides, subject-specific materials and practical revision strategies, including retrieval practice, flashcards, mind maps, self-quizzing and exam-style questions.

Remember: Little and often is usually more effective than leaving everything until the last minute. Start early, revisit your learning regularly and focus on the areas where you need the most support.

Revision Advice for Parents and Carers

We are pleased to share a short film for parents and carers, designed to support you in helping your child prepare for their exams. This film offers practical advice on creating effective revision routines, maintaining motivation, and supporting wellbeing during this important time. By working together, we can ensure students feel confident, organised, and fully supported both at school and at home.

Power to Perform Booklets

Please click on the images below to download our Power to Perform information guides which gives further insight into learning strategies which will enable you to best support your child’s revision at home.

Revision Strategies

Revision Timetables

Plan your time, stay organised and find the right balance.

A realistic revision timetable can help make examination preparation feel more manageable. Planning ahead allows students to spread their revision across different subjects, prioritise areas for improvement and avoid last-minute pressure.

A successful timetable should include short, focused revision sessions, regular breaks and time for hobbies, family, exercise and rest. You can explore our example revision timetables and download a blank template to create a personalised study plan that works around your commitments.

Our top tips for planning revision:

• Break revision into short, manageable sessions.
• Include a range of subjects across the week.
• Spend additional time on topics you find difficult.
• Build in regular breaks and time to relax.
• Review your timetable and adjust it when needed.

Remember: A revision timetable should support you, not overwhelm you. Consistency matters more than perfection.

Revision Sessions

Extra support to help you achieve your personal best.

At Prenton High School, we recognise that every student learns differently. Our additional revision sessions provide opportunities to revisit key topics, strengthen understanding, practise examination techniques and ask questions in a supportive environment.

Led by subject teachers, these sessions are designed to complement independent revision and help students feel more confident as they approach their examinations.

Students are encouraged to make the most of the support available, particularly in subjects or topics they find challenging.

Details of revision sessions, including subjects, times and locations, will be shared with students as they become available.

Make every session count: Come prepared, identify what you need help with and use the advice from your teachers to guide your revision at home.

Useful Sites

Trusted online resources to support learning beyond the classroom.

There are many excellent online platforms that can help students consolidate their knowledge, practise examination questions and develop effective revision habits.

We have brought together a selection of useful websites offering revision videos, interactive activities, quizzes, subject guides and examination practice. These resources can be particularly helpful when revisiting challenging topics, checking understanding or exploring different ways of learning. Students should always check that the materials they use match the subjects, examination boards and specifications they are studying at Prenton High School.

Our advice: Use online resources actively. Test yourself, practise questions and check your answers rather than simply watching videos or reading information.

Your subject teachers can help you identify the most appropriate resources for your courses.

Exam Wellbeing – Looking After Yourself

A healthy mind and body are just as important as effective revision.

At Prenton High School, we understand that preparing for examinations can sometimes feel overwhelming. While revision and preparation are important, looking after your physical and mental wellbeing is equally essential to helping you feel confident, focused and ready to perform at your best.

Our Power to Perform programme encourages students to develop healthy habits, manage examination pressures and maintain a positive balance between studying and everyday life.

Explore our Exam Wellbeing Guide for practical advice on getting enough sleep, eating well, staying active, taking regular breaks and managing stress. You’ll also find helpful reminders about being kind to yourself, staying connected with others and asking for support when you need it.

Looking After Your Wellbeing

Small, positive habits can make a big difference to how you feel during the examination period.

• Prioritise sleep: Aim for 8–10 hours each night and maintain a consistent bedtime routine.
• Eat well and stay hydrated: Regular meals, healthy snacks and plenty of water can help support concentration and energy levels.
• Stay active: Walking, sport or spending time outdoors can help reduce stress and improve your mood.
• Take regular breaks: Give yourself time away from revision to recharge.
• Be kind to yourself: Focus on your progress rather than comparing yourself with others.
• Stay connected: Make time for people and activities that make you happy.
• Keep examinations in perspective: Your results are important, but they do not define who you are or everything you can achieve.

Managing Examination Stress

Feeling nervous before an examination is normal, but it is important to recognise when pressure is becoming difficult to manage.

Try breaking larger tasks into smaller steps, using calming breathing techniques and focusing on what you can control. Remember that you do not need to know everything perfectly, and asking for help is a positive step.

You are not alone. If you are feeling worried or overwhelmed, speak to your form tutor, a trusted member of staff or our Student Services team. Support is always available.

Remember: Progress, not perfection. Successful examination preparation is about working consistently, using your time effectively and looking after yourself along the way.

Your wellbeing matters. Looking after yourself is an important part of your Power to Perform journey.