Introduction
One of the hardest skills during IB exams is letting go of the previous paper.
Students often:
- Replay mistakes in their head
- Worry about how an exam went
- Carry stress into the next paper
This mental carryover hurts performance more than most students realise.
Why Mental Resetting Matters
Between exam papers, your brain needs to:
- Let go of completed tasks
- Reduce emotional noise
- Regain focus
Without a reset, students often:
- Rush answers
- Lose concentration
- Make avoidable errors
Mental clarity is a performance skill.
The Biggest Mistake Students Make
The biggest mistake is analyzing an exam immediately after finishing it.
This includes:
- Discussing questions with friends
- Checking answers mentally
- Comparing performances
Nothing you think afterward can change the result — but it can damage the next one.
What a Good Mental Reset Looks Like
A proper reset should:
- Be short
- Be deliberate
- Remove exam-related thoughts
It is about switching modes, not reflection.
Simple Mental Reset Techniques
Effective reset strategies include:
- Controlled breathing for a few minutes
- Walking quietly without conversation
- Listening to calming music
- Focusing on physical sensations (movement, posture)
Avoid screens and exam discussion.
What to Do If an Exam Felt Bad
If an exam felt bad:
- Acknowledge the feeling
- Do not judge performance
- Redirect focus intentionally
Bad exams often feel worse than they actually are.
How High-Scoring Students Reset Quickly
Strong students:
- Accept uncertainty
- Trust preparation
- Stick to routines
- Focus only on the next task
They don’t carry emotional weight forward.
Using the RevisionDojo Study Planner
The RevisionDojo Study Planner helps students:
- Finish revision early
- Reduce emotional dependency on outcomes
- Maintain routines across exams
- Stay focused on process, not panic
Plan for calm here:
https://www.revisiondojo.com/study-planner
RevisionDojo Call to Action
Your next exam deserves full focus, not leftover stress.
Use the RevisionDojo Study Planner to:
- Prepare early
- Stay mentally fresh
- Perform consistently
Start planning here:
https://www.revisiondojo.com/study-planner
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I talk about an exam after finishing it?
No. Discussion increases stress and doesn’t improve future performance.
What if I keep replaying mistakes in my head?
Use a deliberate reset technique and redirect focus to the next task.
Can one bad exam ruin my overall performance?
No. Carrying stress forward is more damaging than one imperfect paper.
How long should a mental reset take?
Usually just a few minutes — it’s about intention, not duration.
