Exam Maths Skills
Short lessons for ages 14–16: Number, Algebra, Proportion and finance, Geometry, Statistics. Fresh practice every time, marked instantly, with a check-up at the end of each unit.
Parents’ guide · ages 14–18 · Exam years
Supporting your 14–18 year old with study and exams
In the exam years, teenagers carry most of the responsibility for their learning, and they need you as a steady coach rather than a teacher. Help them plan, protect their sleep and wellbeing, celebrate effort and keep exams in perspective. Your calm matters more than you might think.
What children typically learn
Every child develops at their own pace. Use this as a rough map, not a checklist.
- Studying fewer subjects in more depth and preparing for national exams.
- Planning revision over weeks and months and using active study methods.
- Writing extended answers and essays under time pressure.
- Thinking about next steps: courses, apprenticeships, work or further study.
- Balancing study with friendships, part-time jobs, sport and rest.
Everyday activities that help
Most take five to ten minutes and need nothing special.
Build a revision timetable together
Count back from the exams, share the subjects out and leave free evenings. Let your teen own the plan.
Practise past questions
Timed practice and marking against the mark scheme beat rereading. Offer a quiet space and a snack.
Protect sleep
Teens need around 8–10 hours. Agree a wind-down time with phones charging outside the bedroom.
Phone-free focus blocks
Suggest 25–45 minute blocks with the phone in another room, then a real break.
Explore the future
Visit open days, look at course requirements together and talk to people who do jobs your teen is curious about.
When to talk to the teacher or a doctor
These are not signs that something is wrong — they are good reasons to ask. Early conversations help.
- Exam stress stops your teen sleeping, eating or seeing friends for more than a short time.
- They talk about feeling hopeless or worthless, or about harming themselves — seek help the same day.
- Panic attacks, constant worry or avoiding school become a pattern.
- They struggle to keep up despite working hard and may need exam arrangements — ask the school early.
- You notice signs of substance use or big changes in their friendships and behaviour.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your child’s health or development, contact your doctor, health visitor or school.
Practise together
Worksheets and games for this age
Print them or play on screen with instant marking.
Programmes for this age
Logic & Codes
Short lessons for ages 11–16: Sequences and odd ones out, Expert puzzles. Fresh practice every time, marked instantly, with a check-up at the end of each unit.
Study Skills
Short lessons for ages 11–16: Remember more, Plan and focus. Fresh practice every time, marked instantly, with a check-up at the end of each unit.
Collections for this age
Articles for this age
How to Revise for Exams: Techniques That Actually Work (Ages 13–18)
Active recall, spaced repetition, interleaving, practice papers and sleep, explained with real examples so teens can revise smarter instead of just longer.
How to Make a Revision Timetable You'll Actually Stick To
A step-by-step guide for teens to building a revision timetable, with an example week, how to adjust it when things slip, and how to avoid burning out.
How to Use Flashcards Properly: The Leitner System and Better Cards
How to make flashcards that test real understanding, run the Leitner box system, space your reviews and choose between paper and apps, for ages 9 to 18.
Homeschool Schedule for Beginners: Sample Days and Weeks by Age
Realistic homeschool schedules for ages 4–14, with sample days, a weekly rhythm, tips for teaching siblings, and a reminder to check the rules where you live.
Learning Wiki topics
Pythagoras' theorem
Pythagoras' theorem says that in a right-angled triangle, a² + b² = c², where c is the longest side (the hypotenuse). For sides 3 and 4, the hypotenuse is 5.
Powers and indices
A power (also called an index or exponent) is a small raised number showing how many times to multiply a number by itself. So 2⁴ means 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16.
Revision timetable
A revision timetable is a plan of what to revise and when. Good ones use short sessions, mix subjects, revisit topics after gaps and leave time for rest.
Square roots
The square root of a number is the value that, multiplied by itself, gives that number. The square root of 25 is 5, because 5 × 5 = 25. The sign is √.
Algebra
Algebra is maths that uses letters, like x or n, to stand for numbers we don't know yet or numbers that can change. For example, if n + 3 = 10, then n = 7.
Atoms
An atom is the tiny building block of all matter. It has a nucleus of protons and neutrons in the middle with electrons around it. The number of protons decides which element it is.
Track your child’s progress
Your parent dashboard suggests a ten-minute plan for today and builds a printable weekly pack matched to your child’s level.
Questions about ages 14–18
How many hours a day should my teenager revise?
It depends on the timetable and the person. Two to four focused hours on a non-school day, in blocks with breaks, is plenty for most. Quality beats quantity.
My teen leaves everything to the last minute. What can I do?
Help them break big tasks into small first steps with their own deadlines, and check in briefly. Nagging rarely works; agreeing a plan together does more.