Supporting Learners with ADHD Through Exam Season: Practical Tips That Work
Shelby Storey
May 28, 2025
Exam season is upon us.
For some learners, the very thought of sitting in an exam hall for hours on end brings up feelings of dread – and the same goes for studying.
For children with ADHD, it’s important that they are supported through studying for exams in a way that makes sense to them. What works for one learner might not work for another, so as parents, guardians, and educators, we need to understand how different study methods can help ADHD learners get the most out of their revision time.
At Gaia Learning, we work with neurodivergent learners every day, and so we know what works. We know that for parents, it can feel overwhelming, so this blog is here to take out the guesswork and provide you with clear and concise tips on how to level the playing field for your child when it comes to studying for their exams.
Here are some of the most common questions around studying with ADHD:
How Can I Support My Child to Start Studying for Their Exams?
Sometimes, the hardest part about studying is getting started. When learners have a long list of subjects they need to revise for, the task can feel insurmountable, and it’s almost impossible to know where to begin.
The best way to get started is by choosing a subject/topic that they feel most confident about, as this gives them a quick and easy boost of dopamine, building momentum and motivation to continue. After this, you can help to guide them through their subjects in order of importance or urgency for their upcoming exams.
Exam stress and anxiety can be a real roadblock for getting started, with learners being so worried about the outcome of their upcoming exams that they feel almost paralysed and unable to get started. One of the best things that you can do to support your child is to take away some of the emotional strain. It’s important to remind them that while exams are important, their wellbeing matters more, and they are aiming for progress, not perfection.
How Can Support My Child to Stay Motivated When Studying?
It is important to remember to take breaks from studying to avoid burnout, so set a timer for 25 minutes and make sure they take a 5-10 minute break away from their study area. ADHD brains thrive on novelty and variety, so changing environments regularly is an easy way to help your child feel refreshed throughout their revision time. Moving rooms after a break is a great way to ‘reset’ for the next study session.
Having something to look forward to at the end of a study session is another way to help your child feel motivated. Knowing that when they’ve finished revising a certain topic, they can have some screen time or a snack they love is a great way to keep their focus. Remember to praise them for completing their tasks so that they recognise that they have accomplished something — this pays dividends when it comes to motivation for future study sessions.
How Can I Help My Child Keep Organised When Studying for Exams?
Children with ADHD are often visual learners, so creating a colour coded time table with a breakdown of what subject to study on each day can be beneficial. Additionally, it is important to break the subject down into smaller tasks to alleviate the mental strain of knowing where to begin. For example, instead of just writing “English Literature – Macbeth”, you should break the task down into shorter, easily digestible steps, for example:
Read Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 1
Highlight key quotes showing Macbeth’s inner conflict
Write 3 key bullet points explaining how Shakespeare shows Macbeth’s guilt
Find and watch a short YouTube video explaining the scene
Create a mind map with quotes, themes, and character traits
Summary: Can you explain the scene and its significance in your own words?
This allows your child to feel a regular sense of accomplishment as they tick off each item in the list, and it takes out the confusion of what to do next.
The most important thing you can do for your child when studying for their exams is to be there for them. If something isn’t working for them, work through it together. Knowing that you are there supporting them through the journey has more impact than you can imagine.
We hope that you found this blog to be helpful. For more information and advice, please see our resources on How to Help Learners With ADHD Study for Their Exams.
