Educational Expert Highlights Common Mistakes Students Make After Exams

Dr. Tamer Shawky, Professor of Educational Psychology at Ain Shams University.

Dr. Tamer Shawky, an educational expert and professor of educational psychology at Ain Shams University, has identified common mistakes made by high school students and their parents after finishing an exam. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding these pitfalls to ensure optimal performance during the examination period.

The high school examinations for the academic year 2025/2026 commenced on Sunday, with students taking tests in religious education and national education, which are not included in the overall grade.

Common Mistakes Students Make After Exams

Dr. Shawky outlined several key mistakes that students often make:.

• Remaining unnecessarily with peers after the exam for either entertainment or review, which serves no positive purpose.
• Comparing their answers to those of classmates, leading to feelings of inadequacy even when their responses might be correct.
• Delaying their return home without justification, such as visiting relatives, which wastes valuable time.
• Dwelling on mistakes made during the exam, reducing focus and causing mental distraction.
• Exaggerating minor errors while overlooking correct answers, even if they are more numerous.
• Starting to study immediately after returning home despite feeling fatigued; instead, students should rest before resuming study sessions as focused study is more effective than prolonged unfocused efforts.
• Taking a complete break from studying on exam day without preparing for subsequent tests, especially if time is limited before the next exam.
• Parents reviewing every detail of the exam with their child, which can increase anxiety; a general check-in on performance is sufficient.
• Comparing their answers to those of siblings or relatives who took the same subject in previous years.
• Criticizing or reprimanding students for mistakes made during exams; this can diminish motivation and self-confidence. Instead, calm discussions about errors should be encouraged to help avoid them in future exams.
• Focusing excessively on mistakes while neglecting to acknowledge the student’s efforts and achievements throughout the year.
• Engaging in lengthy and intense discussions about any exam immediately afterward; it’s crucial to provide a calm environment for recovery.