Teen won't revise for exams

Question from a parent of a 14 year old

Question

My daughter is in Year 10 and mocks are coming up soon. She’s bright but flat-out refuses to revise, saying it’s just “practice exams” and they don’t matter. I’ve tried talking to her, helping with a timetable, but she’s just not interested. Should I push harder or let her learn from the consequences? I’m really torn on this one.

Answer

Firstly, luna's had a very similar question to this in the past in which a parent asked "How do I get my 15 year old to do her homework?" so it might help to know that you really aren't alone in this.

Reluctance to revise is often linked to feelings of overwhelm or lack of motivation, rather than laziness, so speaking to her to understand the root cause might help shift resistance into action.

In a luna poll, over 1 in 3 teens (34%) said rewards were their top motivator for completing tasks. Offering small, meaningful incentives – like a favourite snack, extra screen time, or a weekend treat – can turn revision into a more positive experience.

For more tips on encouraging her to stay motivated, explore luna's guide on how to motivate your teenager.

Breaking tasks into smaller steps can also make a huge difference. Rather than tackling everything at once, encouraging her to start with one manageable topic or a 15-minute session can help build momentum. 

Revising with friends or using practice papers, two very popular methods among luna’s teens, can also make it feel less isolating.

Finally, reframing the conversation might also help. Instead of focusing on the mocks’ importance, try asking what would make the process easier or less stressful. Offering understanding rather than pressure shows that her feelings are valued, which can encourage a more cooperative approach.

If stress is part of the issue, consider exploring tips for helping a stressed-out teen or luna's guide for parents on exam stress for actionable advice to ease the pressure.

Hopefully this has given you some ideas to tackle this challenge – and you can always point her in the direction of the luna app if you want an extra helping hand at encouraging her to revise (luna’s got plenty of content on this topic).

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