You asked for quick, simple tips — not long guides. These short, practical ideas come from other young people with epilepsy and expert exam workers. Topics cover things like memory problems, time management that works for you, and what to do if you have a seizure on exam day.
Simple study tips, ideas, and experiences
Back to Study HubExam season triggers: Stress, heat, tiredness and not eating
We spoke to an exams officer who supports young people with epilepsy daily to understand why certain triggers make exam season difficult.
Students with epilepsy often face triggers such as:
- Stress
- Tiredness
- Heat in exam halls
- Skipping meals or low hydration
All of these can increase seizure risk.
How Teachers Can Help
Teachers and exam staff can support you better when they understand your epilepsy triggers.
Practical Tips
- Eat before exams to stabilise your energy
- Bring water
- Take revision breaks
- Ask about ventilation
- Speak up if you’re struggling - your epilepsy exam support depends on honest communication
Your health comes first - reducing triggers is part of success in exams.
Understanding stress in young people with epilepsy
We recognize the significant impact stress can have on their mental health and overall wellbeing. In collaboration with SHOUT, we are dedicated to providing the necessary support to help manage stress and improve mental health outcomes.
If you have a seizure on exam day: What happens?
One of the most common concerns is: “What happens if I have a seizure during an exam?” We asked an exams officer and parent to explain exactly how schools manage this.
If you’re too unwell to sit the exam
If a seizure leaves you unable to sit the exam:
- The school applies for special consideration
- They explain how your epilepsy affected your ability to sit the exam
- The exam board reviews this when awarding your grade
If You Had a Seizure Earlier That Day
Even if you still sit the exam, schools can request special consideration for epilepsy.
If you have a seizure during the exam
Schools will:
- Keep you safe
- Stop the exam
- Record how much of the paper you completed
- Apply for special consideration
What is special consideration for epilepsy?
A formal process where the exam board is told how your epilepsy affected your performance, and your grade is adjusted fairly.
A seizure does not mean you fail. Special consideration for epilepsy exists to protect you.
Protecting my dignity during seizures
Paige shares how dignity, understanding and quick, calm support during seizures helped her feel safe and included, and what every school needs to get right.
Rest breaks, extra time and exam rooms: What really happens
To clarify the most common misconceptions, we spoke to an exams officer and parent of a young person with epilepsy about how schools actually implement exam access arrangements for epilepsy.
Myth: “You need an assessment for rest breaks”
Many students believe they must undergo assessments before they can have rest breaks for epilepsy - but in most cases, that’s not true.
Rest breaks are one of the most common and straightforward exam adjustments for epilepsy available. They help with:
- Fatigue
- Medication timing
- Hydration
- Warning signs of seizures
Extra time for epilepsy
Extra time is available when evidence shows fatigue or slower recovery affects your performance.
Schools will:
- Trial extra time in mocks
- Evaluate timing difficulties
- Use teacher and medical evidence
Extra time is only granted when it genuinely supports your needs - a core part of safe, fair epilepsy exam support.
Exam rooms: What’s best for epilepsy?
Schools aim to reduce seizure triggers by offering:
- Small rooms
- Screens or curtains
- Individual rooms (important for tonicclonic seizures or privacy)
These exam access arrangements reduce anxiety, noise, heat and distraction - all known triggers for some types of epilepsy.
Always ask. Many students with epilepsy qualify for more exam adjustments than they realise.
Belonging at school when you have epilepsy
School should feel safe and inclusive. Discover how belonging helps young people with epilepsy thrive and what teachers and parents can do to support it.
Revising without burning out your brain (epilepsy-safe revision)
Revision advice often says “work harder”, but for young people with epilepsy, that can be unsafe. According to the exams officer we interviewed, effective revision must support your wellbeing.
Short sessions reduce seizure risk
Long sessions increase fatigue - a known epilepsy trigger. Short sessions with breaks work better.
Sleep matters
Latenight cramming increases seizure risk. A rested brain performs better.
The anxiety loop
Worrying - especially about having a seizure - increases stress, which can increase seizure risk.
Talking to someone you trust can reduce anxiety and help you feel more in control.
The goal isn’t perfect revision - it’s safe, steady revision with the right epilepsy exam support behind you.
Understanding your learning style when you have epilepsy
Learn how epilepsy can affect learning and how understanding your learning style helps. Sally’s story shows how knowing your strengths builds confidence at school.
What you’re allowed in exams (and how to get the right exam adjustments for epilepsy)
We spoke to an exams officer who is also a parent of a young person with epilepsy to understand exactly how exam adjustments for epilepsy work, what types of exam access arrangements exist, and how to make sure your school provides the correct epilepsy exam support.
If you have epilepsy, exams can be harder - stress, tiredness, heat and long exam days can all increase seizure risk. That’s why exam adjustments for epilepsy exist: to make exams fair, safe and manageable.
This guide walks you through the essential exam access arrangements for epilepsy, who to talk to, and when to start the process.
What exam support for epilepsy can you get?
You may be able to receive several forms of epilepsy exam support, including:
- Rest breaks during exams (a common adjustment for epilepsy)
- Extra time if medical or school evidence shows you need it
- A smaller exam room or your own room to reduce stress and seizure triggers
- A screen or curtain in large halls for privacy
- Closer supervision to keep you safe if you feel unwell
These exam access arrangements are not “special treatment” - they ensure fairness for students with epilepsy.
Who do you speak to?
You don’t apply for exam adjustments for epilepsy yourself. Your school does.
Speak to:
- The SENCO
- Your teachers
- The exams officer
Starting these conversations early helps ensure your epilepsy exam support is in place well before exams.
When should you start?
Ideally: end of Year 9 or start of Year 10.
Why?
- Mock exams are used to trial exam adjustments for epilepsy
- Schools need evidence for exam access arrangements
- Everything must be approved before GCSE exams
What evidence helps?
Schools can use:
- Consultant or epilepsy nurse letters
- Your Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP)
- Teacher feedback
The more accurate your information, the smoother your exam access arrangements process.
You’re not asking for special treatment - you’re ensuring safe, fair epilepsy exam support so you can show what you know.
The Channel
A space for young people, aged 13+, who are living with epilepsy, for them to share, learn and find support.
Get in touch
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