Exam Stress in Children: The Warning Signs Parents Often Miss

Exam season is here, and your child might be struggling more than they’re letting on. Stomach aches before school. Snapping at small things. Skipping meals or living on energy drinks. These could all be signs that the pressure is getting too much.

Education training experts at High Speed Training have shared advice for parents on how to spot exam stress in children and young people, and what to do about it.

What causes exam stress

Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, said some level of stress around exams is completely normal and can even be helpful.

“It’s to be expected for anyone that has an exam coming up, regardless of their age, to experience some level of stress, whether that is in school, college, university or in our personal or professional lives. It’s perfectly natural and can actually help some people with their motivation and desire to succeed,” Richard said.

“However, when stress levels become too elevated, it can really hamper performance, and can cause a number of other health and wellbeing concerns.”

Much of the pressure children feel comes from within. They want to do well and make their families and teachers proud. But there are plenty of other factors that can tip stress into something more serious, including pressure from family, friends and school, comparison with peers or siblings, fear of failure, bad experiences with previous exams, worries about the future, not feeling prepared, caring responsibilities that eat into revision time, problems at home, and existing physical or mental health conditions.

Signs to look out for

Richard said exam stress shows up in different ways, and it isn’t always obvious.

“Exam stress can manifest itself in a number of ways, including emotional and behavioural changes such as becoming negative, irritable, grumpy, or snappy. Academically, a child might find it difficult to concentrate or lose interest in activities they normally enjoy,” he said.

“Physical symptoms can include sleep issues, changes in eating habits, increased consumption of caffeine, and experiencing physical discomfort like stomach aches, headaches, or muscle pains. Overall, they might simply feel unwell, nauseous, and tired. Recognising these signs is the first step in providing appropriate support.”

How parents can help

The advice from High Speed Training is to start with conversation. Encourage your child to talk about their worries and remind them that what they’re feeling is normal. Stay calm, be reassuring, and avoid nagging them to revise. Tell them you’re proud of them regardless of how the exams go.

Practical help matters too. A calm, comfortable place to revise, a tidy desk, and help putting together a revision timetable can all reduce the load. A balanced diet, regular sleep and some exercise keep the basics in check, and it’s fine to let normal chores and routines slide a bit while exams are on.

Practising what an exam feels like can take some of the fear out of it. Cramming the night before tends to backfire, leaving children tired and panicked rather than prepared. Planning a reward for after the exams gives them something to look forward to.

On the day itself, get everything ready in advance. Pens, pencils, equipment, a proper breakfast, plenty of water, and a clear idea of where they need to be and when.

Afterwards, listen. Let them talk about how it went without judgement, and resist the urge to pick over mistakes they think they made. Congratulate them for the effort, whatever the result.

Richard said parents and teachers have a real part to play.

“Exam stress is common amongst children, teenagers and young adults in education. Revising for exams and sitting tests is a big part of growing up and there are often high expectations on students to succeed,” he said.

“However, with the right support, exam stress needn’t take over and, as a parent or teacher, you have an important role to play in encouraging children to reach their potential without it impacting their mental health.”

More information is available on the High Speed Training website, including their range of Education training courses.