“In what ways are you helping fellow test-takers as part of your exam preparation?”
Here is what 20 thought leaders had to say.
When preparing for exams, guiding others to apply the Socratic method means encouraging them to ask “Why?” repeatedly but with a focus on connecting each subsequent answer back to practical examples. This approach prevents getting stuck in abstract reasoning and instead builds a chain of understanding tied to real-world applications. It’s about tracing each concept down to its simplest, most unquestionable form and ensuring that these foundations relate directly to how the knowledge will be used or tested.
Catherine Mack, Owner, House Buyer Network
As a psychotherapist, I help fellow test-takers by providing strategies to manage stress and anxiety during exam preparation. I emphasize mindfulness techniques and relaxation exercises to improve focus and reduce tension. Additionally, I help individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that may hinder their confidence or performance.
From a practical standpoint, I guide test-takers in creating structured study schedules to balance preparation and self-care. I also share insights on improving memory retention and staying motivated throughout the process. By fostering a positive mindset and offering tools to cope with challenges, I support individuals in building both emotional resilience and academic success. My goal is to empower test-takers to approach their exams with clarity and self-assurance.
Kristie Tse, Psychotherapist | Mental Health Expert | Founder, Uncover Mental Health Counseling
As the Founder and CEO of Edumentors, we specialise in matching tutors from top universities in the UK with families and students. A few of our tutors are also students who offer their services while also completing their own studies.
One of the most effective ways to prepare for examinations is to have a group study session. Most of our tutors find it stimulating to reinforce their own knowledge while teaching students about similar topics.
Our tutors also follow a structured approach by dividing complex topics into simpler subtopics. This allows tutors to simplify the topic for their students, and it also helps them freshen up their own understanding.
The key to preparing for exams together is to promote collaborative learning. This is especially useful for both students and tutors when they get to share feedback in real time. Learning in a collaborative space is all about helping each other learn. It stimulates a comfortable environment and ensures information retention.
Tornike Asatiani, Founder & CEO, Edumentors
Having someone solve a problem out loud while breaking down every automatic thought reveals hidden mental shortcuts that usually stay under the radar. This process makes it easier for others to spot patterns and avoid mistakes they might not realize they’re making. When we adopt these explicit steps, it speeds up learning because we’re not just copying answers; we’re adopting a method proven to work in real time.
Liz Hutz, Owner, Liz Buys Houses
When I prepare for exams, I use the same approach I use in fitness: train with a partner. So I asked a few peers to join short study sprints. We set a timer, study hard, then regroup.
I help others by designing short drills, such as timed flashcards or 10-question bursts. It keeps everyone engaged and removes the pressure of long sessions.
What I do for fellow test-takers:
Share weekly micro-plans so nobody feels overwhelmed.
Record quick walkthroughs of tough questions.
Check in on practice-test stress so people feel supported.
Studying like a team builds discipline. Momentum is easier when you’re not doing it alone.
Dong Wang, Founder, Vanswe Fitness
I run study workshops for language exams, and I’ve noticed something. Students prepping for the DELE do much better when they practice together. Those group speaking sessions are where they really figure things out. Honestly, just having other people to talk through the tricky parts helps a lot. If you’re studying for an exam, try getting a small group together. It makes a real difference.
Carmen Jordan Fernandez, Academic Director, The Spanish Council of Singapore
The way I help fellow test-takers, which I apply to any high-stakes business certification or learning process, is by focusing on eliminating operational friction in their study process. Most people study the wrong way: they consume massive amounts of information without testing their actual retention. I shift their focus from consuming theory to mastering execution.
I share my personal “Error Isolation Grid.” This is a simple, shared spreadsheet where we log the specific types of problems we consistently get wrong. We don’t focus on the sections we know; we pool our collective errors. This immediately identifies the 5% of the curriculum that is causing 80% of our shared failure rate.
This approach works because it transforms studying from a passive activity into a collaborative audit of competence. We stop wasting time reviewing material we already know and focus all our limited mental energy on fixing the most costly, common points of failure. This guarantees that our shared effort is highly efficient and maximizes the score for the entire group.
Flavia Estrada, Business Owner, Co-Wear LLC
Working with tools taught me something: every arduous task becomes easier when broken into steps. So during exam prep, I help others by simplifying big topics into clear sequences.
In a group chat, we trade step lists for the most complex concepts. People say it helps them see patterns they missed before.
How I support others:
Rewrite tricky explanations into 3-5 simple steps.
Share voice notes explaining how I solved practice questions.
Help classmates avoid burnout by planning light study days.
Good prep is built, not guessed. Simple steps make the complex parts manageable.
During my prep, I noticed people struggled most with staying consistent. So I created a small accountability group with two other test-takers. Each morning, we posted what we planned to study.
One day, someone admitted they skipped a section. Instead of judging, we reset together and shared how we’d break the chapter into smaller parts. That moment changed our momentum.
I also started timing short practice drills and sending my scores so others felt safe sharing theirs. It removed the fear of falling behind.
We ended up forming a rhythm: honesty, small goals, and daily check-ins. Our scores steadily improved.
When you study with people who show up, you show up too. Consistency becomes a shared habit.
Ryan Beattie, Director of Business Development, UK SARMs
A large part of my exam preparation now consists of giving short mini-workshops to others preparing for the same test. I realized that as classmates would struggle with certain things, walking them through my thoughts made me master the material as well. During one class, I taught a difficult formula by comparing it to an experience in life, and someone said that after weeks of feeling lost, she finally understood.
I also post annotated practice questions so others can watch me rule out the wrong answers. My ability to help others feel less overwhelmed keeps me grounded, and the process itself feels a lot less isolating.
Hiren Shah, Owner, Anstrex
I have discovered that helping other test takers is actually a way to make my own preparation stronger, so I make an effort to share the study systems that have proven most successful for me. During my last exam round, for example, a few of us got together each week to discuss the material we had covered and during those sessions, I would break down complicated ideas into simple frameworks, not only because it was easier to talk people through them than explain complex topics in lecture form but also because verbalizing those concepts out loud cemented my own understanding.
One thing that helped everyone was creating shared “error logs” where we logged what types of questions we were missing; you could see patterns across different people, and the weak spots became clearer. I still had the fortitude to write some brief practice scenarios for the group, too, and a classmate of mine said that one of those lines was actually on her exam. The way that I support others the most now is by following up on their study strategies, not just how many points they are scoring, because more people struggle with consistency than content. And helping the group stay accountable winds up keeping me accountable too, so that is a win-win for the group collectively.
Ben Mizes, Co-Founder, Clever Offers
When I started studying, I made a one-page concept map to help myself. A friend saw it and asked for copies. That small moment grew into a shared folder where I post simple diagrams after every chapter.
As a reading educator, I’ve seen that clarity builds confidence. The same applies to adults preparing for tough exams. When we simplify messy topics, people stick with them longer.
How I help fellow test-takers now:
I host short teach-back sessions where everyone explains one topic.
I make color-coded charts for tricky sections.
I message reminders the night before practice-test days.
When you lift others, the whole group studies with more energy. Shared clarity creates shared progress.
Paul McKee, Founder, ReadingDuck
I’ve begun helping other test-takers by providing them with the study templates and routines I created for myself, such as a spaced repetition checklist and a weekly planning sheet. One friend said my two-pass review system changed the way she took practice tests, and that her scores went up in two weeks. I also send around my truncated lectures because not everyone has the time to condense pages and pages of materials into coarse summaries. Making these tools, I have to distill the material until it’s crystal clear. This level of support for others helps the collective group continue to move forward without everyone having to recreate the wheel in their own.
Qianqian He, Founder, BOXKING GAMING
As a result of my own experiences, I am able to assist fellow test-takers with peer group study sessions to assist them in mastering difficult topics by helping them develop smaller sections, create memory aids or mnemonics, and template quizzes for retention purposes. Also, creating and providing fellow test takers with short sets of summary notes and test examples allows for both testing and creating personal understanding of the material. I promote incorporating stress management into our group dynamic through practice testing with timed intervals and rest periods, thus developing a more confident, cohesive unit as a team.
When I’m preparing for an exam, I’ve found that helping other test-takers ends up strengthening my own understanding just as much as theirs. One simple way I do this is by hosting small study sessions, usually online, where we walk through problem sets together. I’ve noticed that when I try to explain a tricky concept in plain language, I’m forced to confront the gaps in my own thinking. It keeps me honest and pushes me to learn the material more deeply.
I also share the study frameworks and note-taking methods that work for me. Sometimes it’s as small as showing someone how I break down a long chapter into manageable themes, or how I create quick recall sheets the night before a mock test. These little techniques can make a big difference for someone who feels overwhelmed.
Another thing I try to do is create a sense of calm in the group. Before big practice exams, I’ll check in with people who seem stressed, talk through their concerns, and help them break their revision into clear priorities. Exam prep can be isolating, and knowing someone else is in the trenches with you makes it feel less heavy.
In return, I benefit from the questions others ask. They often notice angles I missed, which sharpens my approach. Helping fellow test-takers isn’t just a nice gesture — it’s a practical way to reinforce my own learning while making the process a little easier for everyone involved.
Sovic Chakrabarti, Director, Icy Tales
I get so much out of aiding other test takers. One of the ways I do this is by sharing resources and tips for studying that have worked for me. This helps both others and me, as it gives me practice in explaining the material. Also, I recommend teaming up with other friends who are preparing for the same exam. With a shared language and format, we can work through key concepts to ensure that no one has any wrong ideas.
Pavel Khaykin, Founder & SEO Consultant, Pasha Digital Solutions
At the Spanish Cultural Association, I set up discussion groups so students from different language backgrounds could help each other out. They exchange study guides and share tips on getting through the hardest parts of the exam. When they study together, it stops feeling so isolated. They come up with ways to solve grammar problems I’d never consider myself.
Selene Luk, Customer Care Manager, Spanish Cultural Association of Hong Kong
I support fellow test-takers by creating a steady flow of structure, clarity and encouragement that helps everyone study with less stress. I share clean summary sheets, quick drills and small checklists that break large topics into pieces we can actually handle.
When someone feels lost, I sit with them and walk through the idea in plain language, adding a simple story or visual so the concept sticks. I keep the group talking, comparing notes and checking each other’s work so nobody feels like they are preparing in isolation.
The energy shifts when people realize they’re part of a circle that looks out for each other. Confidence grows faster, focus stays steadier and the whole group moves forward with more purpose.
James Robbins, Co-founder & Editor in Chief, Employer Branding News
Creating small, focused quizzes right after study sessions helps test-takers check their understanding before moving on. Pairing these quizzes with immediate feedback from peers forces honest reassessment of what they know versus what they think they know, cutting through any overconfidence. This tight feedback loop keeps perceptions grounded, making study time more efficient and aligned with actual progress rather than assumptions.
I run a small study group with a shared exam blueprint checklist and swap teach-backs so each person explains one topic in 5 minutes. I also build quiz decks (active recall), tag misses by objective, and share a short error log template so we track why we got things wrong and the fix. Before test week, I host a timed mock and a quick formula/definition sheet everyone can review.
Eric Turney, President / Sales and Marketing Director, The Monterey Company
