Don’t cram for your exams, the brain can’t process it – warns Northamptonshire education expert
"Cramming doesn't work because information simply doesn't make it to long-term memory.” That is the advice from Tutu Alaka, CEO of Bauhaus Education, who hosted a packed-out family workshop last week helping Northamptonshire parents navigate their children's mock exam results.
The two‑hour event brought together parents and carers from across Northamptonshire to explore what really works for GCSE and A‑level revision, drawing on evidence from cognitive science rather than myths about marathon study sessions. Tutu explained that the brain needs time to consolidate learning, and that this consolidation happens during sleep and genuine downtime, not in last‑minute, late‑night cramming.
“Connections in the brain strengthen with spaced practice, not all‑night revision marathons,” Tutu told families. “Reviewing material at increasing intervals – for example on Day 1, Day 3, Day 7 and Day 14 – is far more effective than simply re‑reading the same notes every day.”
Parents were also encouraged to support students to mix different topics within a single revision session, rather than blocking by subject; this ‘interleaving’ makes revision feel more challenging in the moment but helps the brain distinguish between concepts and leads to deeper learning.
The workshop drew a clear line between strategies that feel productive and those that actually improve grades. Research‑backed techniques such as active recall (testing yourself instead of re‑reading), spaced repetition, and regular practice with past papers under exam conditions were highlighted as the core tools students should rely on in the run‑up to summer exams.
“One hour of focused active recall beats three hours of passive reading,” Tutu emphasised.
Families were reassured that mock grades are snapshots, not destiny. A large proportion of students improve by 1 to 2 grades between mocks and summer exams, and some improve by three grades or more – especially when revision becomes more focused, exam technique improves and confidence grows.
“Mock exams are powerful retrieval practice when used correctly,” Tutu said. “The students who make the biggest gains are not always the ones who aced their mocks, but the ones who used their results to target specific gaps and change how they study.”
Alongside the science of learning, the session covered advice for parents including how to talk about mock results without adding pressure, how to spot the difference between normal exam nerves and more serious mental‑health concerns, and how small changes at home – from phone‑free revision blocks to consistent sleep routines – can make a significant difference.
Parents also had the opportunity to ask questions in a live Q&A and speak one‑to‑one with Bauhaus tutors about their child’s situation.
"The response has been incredible," said Tutu. "Parents left with concrete strategies they can actually use, and many have already told us they're feeling more confident about how their children approach revision.
“This event was all about giving families practical, evidence‑based tools so that revision feels focused and manageable, not frantic and overwhelming. Stress is normal, suffering is not. With the right strategies and support, young people can move up by one, two or even three grades between mocks and final exams.”