Helping Your Child Manage School & Exam Pressure

Is your child feeling stressed about school tests or academic performance? From NAPLAN to Year 12 final exams, students today face increasing academic pressure. This guide shares six practical tips to help your child build resilience, reduce anxiety, and stay motivated in learning — with expert advice from Aussie Edu Hub.

Understanding the Pressure

For many families, the pursuit of academic excellence and the demands of standardised testing can become a major source of stress. In Australia, children face high-stakes assessments such as NAPLAN, selective school entry exams, and Year 12 final examinations. The competition for entry into top schools and universities continues to grow, and as a result, many students feel the weight of expectation — sometimes to the point of feeling overwhelmed.

Why Test-Related Anxiety Happens

Exams like NAPLAN (Years 3, 5, 7, and 9), Opportunity Class, Year 12 assessments, and ATAR scoring are designed to measure skills and knowledge — but they can also trigger anxiety. Common causes include:

• Fear of failure – Worrying about disappointing parents or affecting future opportunities.
• Comparison with peers – Measuring results against friends or publicised class rankings can harm confidence.
• Pressure from parents and teachers – Support is important, but excessive focus on marks can make children feel their worth depends on results.
• Exam format challenges – Difficulties with time management, test strategies, or simply sitting a high-pressure exam.

The Impact of Academic Pressure

School-related stress can lead to:

• Heightened anxiety and burnout, affecting both mental health and motivation
• A fear of making mistakes, which can limit creativity and curiosity
• Loss of confidence if a student struggles to meet expectations
• Reduced engagement, where learning feels like a chore instead of an exploration

Six Ways to Help Your Child Manage Exam Stress

1. Focus on Learning, Not Just Results
   Encourage your child to see exams as a way to learn and grow rather than as a final verdict on their intelligence. Ask reflective questions like, “What did you learn from this test?” or “What would you do differently next time?” and celebrate improvements, no matter how small.
2. Teach Coping Strategies
   Acknowledge that nervousness is normal, but help them develop healthy ways to manage it:
   • Deep breathing or mindfulness exercises
   • Short, focused study sessions with breaks
   • Regular physical activity
   • A healthy diet and good sleep before exams
3. Encourage Consistent Study Habits
   Support your child in creating a realistic study calendar. Promote effective techniques like summarising notes, making flashcards, and practising with past papers. If they struggle in a subject, personalised tutoring from Aussie Edu Hub can help close knowledge gaps before they widen.
4. Remind Them Tests Aren’t Everything
   One exam does not define a student’s future. Schools consider multiple assessments, classwork, and projects — and there are many alternative pathways to university and careers that don’t rely solely on ATAR scores.
5. Manage Your Own Expectations
   Children pick up on parental stress. Focus on effort, persistence, and improvement rather than perfection. Avoid comparing them with siblings or classmates and remind them that skills improve with practice.
6. Seek Extra Support When Needed
   • Tutoring – Personalised learning builds confidence in challenging areas.
   • School counsellors – A good resource if anxiety is affecting wellbeing.
   • Teacher communication – Stay informed about your child’s progress and needs.

A Healthier Approach to Academic Success

Standardised tests are a long-standing part of Australia’s education system, but they should never undermine a student’s confidence or sense of potential. By teaching children how to manage stress, build resilience, and develop effective study habits, you’re equipping them with skills for both academic success and lifelong learning.

At Aussie Edu Hub, we provide one-on-one online tutoring to help students prepare for NAPLAN, Year 12 exams, and other assessments. Our expert tutors focus on building confidence while strengthening skills in Maths, English, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. If you want to help your child feel ready and supported, explore how Aussie Edu Hub can guide them towards academic success without unnecessary stress.

About the Author, Mark Rohald
Mark is a former university lecturer with over 30 years of experience in education. He has founded multiple private and publicly listed education companies and served on the boards of more than 25 educational organisations. Mark is also a Director and the Executive Deputy Chairman of Aussie Edu Hub.