The Exam Coach Story

(written by James Davey)

Thanks for visiting The Exam Coach website, it means a lot to me that you’re here.

I created The Exam Coach in 2014 — just after I graduated from university. Here’s the story of what I’ve been doing for the last seven years or so…

First up, let me take you back to my own school days; below is a copy of my school report aged 13.

You or your child may have experienced a rough patch at school — just like I did in the reports above! As we grow up there are many challenges thrown our way and staying on track at school is just one of them. School was a bit of a rollercoaster ride for me. In fact, just a few weeks prior to receiving these reports, I’d won an academic and sports scholarship to the school (Bradfield). I could produce some really great work when I put my mind to it. But my lack of self-discipline and tendency to become distracted regularly threw me off-track.

Side note: 

I didn’t understand it fully at the time, but without the above-mentioned scholarship, there was absolutely zero chance of me gaining admission to a school like Bradfield. Over the past few years, I've come to appreciate just how important school entrance exams can be from the perspective of a parent. In particular, the 11 plus for entrance to Grammar School and scholarship examinations for entrance to Independent School. Admission to the right school can put a child in the best position to succeed in life whilst also limiting financial strain. My parents did everything they could to give me the best opportunities to develop and be successful in whatever I wanted to do. As a result, I’m passionate about paying this forward and helping other parents do the same for their children.

Let’s get back to those report cards.

Rest assured, I was given a firm talking to. I never took the opportunity for granted again. Gradually I managed to turn things around and find the academic consistency required to realise my full potential. By the time I left school, my grades meant I had the choice of applying to pretty much any University I wanted. If I had continued on the same path I was on when I received the report cards above, I’m certain I’d be telling you a very different story right now.

You can scroll through my GCSE grades, A Level results, University application status and University degree below. A particular highlight for me was being pooled in the Oxford interview process. I applied to read History at Worcester College, had a couple of interviews there, and was then asked to attend a final interview at Regent’s Park College. I didn’t get offered a place but I was absolutely chuffed to have had the opportunity to give it a fair crack. (None of my family had been to University before). My Grandad always joked the closest he got to University was Borstal (I later found out he never actually went to Borstal). So, for me, even getting a look in at a Russel Group University was an achievement. I ended up going to Exeter which is also in the Russel Group.

I’ve shared my grades and certificates with you not to impress you. After all, I know many students achieved far better grades than I did. Also, I don't believe people are any ‘better' or ‘worse' than others because of a grade on a sheet of paper. This is silly. Instead, I want to show you what’s possible for your child. In the past 5 years I’ve had the opportunity to work with thousands of students from a wide range of backgrounds up and down the UK and online all over the world. During this time, I’ve learned a huge amount about how students can achieve their education goals.

So that’s a short summary of my experience at school. But how did The Exam Coach get started?

After graduating, I was asked to talk to the students at Bradfield about the changes I made whilst studying there. I was asked to deliver a short fifteen minute lecture to 200 students. Ignored this guideline time limit and instead chose to deliver a full-on one hour workshop!

I dug out the main revision techniques I had used as well as specific approaches to subjects such as English and History. I chose these two subjects in particular because I had always enjoyed them. I also knew many students really struggle writing large amounts in a coherent way within a short period of time. Finally, I threw in some principles for creating revision timetables, prioritising subjects/topics, exam technique and avoiding procrastination or distraction.

Fortunately, rather than complaining about how I’d made everyone late for lunch, the school wanted me to come back to work with the students for the rest of the year. They also offered to introduce me to a handful of other schools in the surrounding area so I could do a similar job for them.

After one year I'd worked with about twenty schools including some big names such as King's College University London, The King's School Canterbury and Wellington College. I had created a small business I decided to call The Exam Coach. Most of all, I’d learned a huge amount about what top performing students were doing to prepare for their exams.

Here’s a rapid fire video summary of the last few years…

It became clear to me that students’ knowledge of how to prepare and study effectively for exams varied significantly. As for the parents, many who would like to play a part in their child's education were seeking reliable advice and guidance.

I created The Exam Coach to help parents and students achieve better exam results together.

I believe exams are a team game. I like to think of them in the same way as team sports. When everyone’s moving toward the same common goal, supporting each other and using the best training methods, people can achieve more together. Throughout my time in school, I’m thankful to have learned this through my own experience and by having a supportive family to fall back on when I needed some encouragement and sound advice. I’d like to help others create this environment within their own families. When this happens, everything becomes so much easier!

I've dedicated The Exam Coach to figuring out what the highest performing students are doing to achieve top grades. We also look at students who underperform and what they’d do differently next time around. Millions of students take exams every year, rarely do they share what they did well or would change next time around. 

But how do you get students to talk? 

Bragging about exam results isn't exactly the coolest trending topic on social media!

Every year we survey thousands of students and parents via private direct messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Snapchat.  We ask them to send in results and feedback and tell us what they think they did well and what they would do differently next time. We also promise confidentiality. As we’ve done our bit for them over the course of the year by providing lots of helpful free content, tutoring services for 11+ entrance exams, as well as The Online Exam Preparation Bootcamp for GCSE and A Level students, many are happy to give us their input.

Everyone knows exams are a marathon, not a sprint.

Our mission is to continue sharing what top performing students are doing to achieve the best grades year-in year-out. Through this, more students will be able to achieve the grades they require in order to be in the best position to succeed in the future.

Best wishes,

James