There’s a common misunderstanding about exams.

People say exams test your knowledge.

They don’t. Not really.

Exams are not mind-reading machines. They cannot see what you understand or what you’ve memorised. They can only assess how well you communicate your understanding or knowledge.

And that difference matters.

Do you have a child who always seems to be in a hurry? Whether it’s finishing homework, racing through piano practice or rushing around the playground, some children seem to function at full speed all the time. While enthusiasm and energy are wonderful traits, rushing can often mean mistakes, missed details or frustration. Often, children rush because they want to get something over with. You might see it when they immediately put their pen down the second they finish the last sum on the page or when they write that final full stop and call out, “Done!” before really checking their work.

When it comes to studying, advice is everywhere and not all of it is helpful. From well-meaning teachers to exhausted older siblings, there’s no shortage of tips about how to revise. Often, however, these tips are based on outdated habits, not how learning actually works. In this blog, I’m going to break down some common revision myths and offer smarter, more effective alternatives.

No two learners are exactly alike. The key is to find what works for you and build revision strategies that feel manageable.

We often praise speed - quick finishers, fast readers, rapid problem solvers - but what if we started focusing on strategy instead? The best thinking isn’t about going faster, but going ‘better’. This starts with helping children develop time management as a skill, rather than a race. Time can feel abstract for many children. Without the right tools, they may rush through tasks, peak halfway or feel overwhelmed before they even begin.

Homework is a word that can trigger sighs from children but, more often, from parents. One question we are often asked is: How much should I actually be helping with this?

The answer isn’t black and white. Some parents end up doing most of the homework themselves. Others, determined to promote independence, never get involved at all, assuming their child needs to figure it out themselves. Both extremes can miss the mark.