For many IGCSE and IB students, Tet arrives just as exam revision is beginning to take shape. Mock exams are over, predicted grades are being discussed and the final exams suddenly feel very real! Parents often worry that the holidays will undo weeks of progress.
In reality, Tet does not cause problems. Going into Tet without a plan does.
Here is the advice our IB and IGCSE tutors give students every year before the holiday begins.
1. Don’t plan to study hard during Tet
Tet should be a mental reset. Students who schedule intense revision during a time with their families often end up doing very little and feeling guilty. Research shows that rest improves retention and focus, so a rested student is more likely to return after the break more productive and ready to jump into their revision.
2. Finish three small things before the break
Before Tet begins, students should:
- Complete any unfinished notes
- Organise revision materials by subject and topic
- Identify the most difficult topics in each subject
This small preparation makes it much easier to restart IGCSE and IB revision smoothly after the holiday. Instead of wasting time on what to do, students can move straight into targeted practice.
3. Keep any Tet study light (30–45 minutes)
If students choose to do something during Tet, keep it simple:
- Review summary notes or flashcards
- Attempt a few past-paper questions
- Read model answers and examiner comments
No new content. No pressure. Just light review to stay familiar with the material.
Restarting IGCSE & IB revision after Tet – The Critical Window
The weeks immediately after Tet are often the most important time of a student’s revision schedule. This is when students shift from reviewing content to refining their exam techniques – timing, structure, question analysis and mark scheme awareness. This period can make a significant difference to final grades.
At ITG, our experienced IB and IGCSE tutors can provide structured exam focused revision in:
- English Language & Literature
- Mathematics
- Science: Biology, Chemistry & Physics
- Business & Economics
- French & Spanish
- Psychology
For many students, this is the point in the year to put a clear revision structure in place for the final exam stretch.
