Exam season is one of the most intense times in the school year. Pupils are juggling stress, revision and high expectations. School staff are doing everything they can to support them through it. But once the exams are over, how often do we stop to ask, “How did that feel?” or “What could we do differently next time?”

At Edurio, we believe that listening is just as important as planning. That is why we have created new Assessment and Exam Reflections surveys to help schools and trusts understand how well pupils were prepared, what challenges they faced, and how to improve support going forward. These surveys are designed to be practical and supportive rather than promotional, offering useful insights that can shape future planning.

Why use exam feedback surveys now?

Reflection is most useful when it happens soon after the experience. After exams, pupils and parents are still thinking about what worked and what did not. By collecting their views now, you can:

• Understand which revision strategies and support tools were most effective
• Identify areas where pupils felt stressed, underprepared or unsupported
• Learn what parents and carers felt about the preparation process and communication

This feedback helps schools make small improvements now and better decisions ahead of the next exam cycle.

What can you learn from post-exam feedback?

These surveys explore more than just how difficult pupils found their exams. They provide a clear picture of each stage in the assessment journey, including:

Academic and emotional preparation

The surveys ask how confident pupils felt in their subjects and whether they felt ready emotionally to handle the pressure. They also explore how useful revision materials were and whether extra support was available.

“How prepared academically did you feel to sit your exams?”
“How helpful was the revision material in preparing you?”

Pupil wellbeing and exam stress

Understanding how stressed pupils felt before, during and after exams can help schools develop meaningful wellbeing support. The surveys also explore whether pupils accessed emotional support, such as mindfulness or counselling.

“How stressed did you feel during your exams?”
“Did you seek any emotional support?”

The assessment environment and exam arrangements

Pupils are asked whether the environment was comfortable, if instructions were clear, and if access arrangements (such as extra time or a reader) were explained and useful. This helps schools ensure every pupil can do their best.

“How comfortable was the exam environment?”
“Did the access arrangements help you feel more confident?”

Parents’ and carers’ perspectives on exam preparation

Parents and carers provide feedback on how well they felt their child was supported both academically and emotionally. The survey also includes questions on communication from the school and what additional help might have been useful.

“How confident did you feel in supporting your child?”
“What support would you like your child to have on results day?”

How schools can use exam season feedback

These surveys are not about collecting data for the sake of it. They are designed to help schools turn insights into action. For example, schools can:

• Strengthen how they support pupils’ mental health and exam readiness 
• Identify gaps in communication with families or between staff and pupils 
• Improve revision strategies, timing of mock exams and use of access arrangements 

By showing that you are listening and ready to adapt, you build trust across your school community.

⭐ We have developed tailored templates for primary and secondary schools to ensure the questions best align with the needs of each setting.

Start small and build from there

The surveys are flexible. You do not need to roll them out to the entire school at once. Even using them with a single year group or targeted group of pupils can highlight important trends and areas for improvement.

Listening now helps you prepare for next time

Although the exams are nearly over, the real opportunity for growth starts now. Pupils and families have valuable insights to share about what helped, what didn’t, and what could make a difference in the future. Giving them a voice is one of the best ways to ensure your school is ready for whatever comes next.

If you would like to learn more about how these surveys work, we are happy to help. But whether you use our tools or your own, now is the right time to listen.