Well-being & Inclusion
Exam Stress Check-In
An exam stress check-in is a supportive conversation held before or during an exam period. A little pressure is normal; the aim is to hear how the student is organising their revision, what weighs on them and what practical help would make a difference. It is not a psychological assessment, and it does not replace the institution's counselling or health services.
15 questions
When to use this template
- Three to six weeks before an exam period, while there is still time to adjust revision and support.
- During the exam period, for students who have asked for a conversation or who seem under particular pressure.
- After a disappointing result or a retake, to plan the next attempt calmly.
Questions to ask
How things stand
- 01How are you feeling about the upcoming exams?
- 02Which exams or subjects are you most concerned about, and why?
- 03What are you most confident about?
Revision and organisation
- 04How have you planned your revision?
- 05What revision methods work best for you, and which ones do not?
- 06How do you decide what to prioritise when time is short?
- 07What gets in the way of revising, such as noise, distractions, work or family duties?
Pressure and routine
- 08Where does the pressure you feel come from: yourself, family, the course, the grades needed?
- 09How are you managing your sleep, meals and breaks during this period?
- 10What helps you switch off for a while?
- 11How do you usually cope on the day of an exam?
Support and next steps
- 12Who around you can you talk to about how you feel?
- 13What kind of help from the school would be most useful right now, such as revision sessions, a quiet room or a clearer timetable?
- 14Do you know where to go if the pressure becomes too heavy, such as the counselling or health service?
- 15What is one small thing you would like to change this week?
Tips for a useful conversation
- Say that feeling some stress before exams is common, then listen for what is practical: planning, workload, conditions of the exam.
- Do not assess the student's mental health or suggest what they might have. If they describe strong distress, listen and refer them to the institution's health or counselling service.
- Offer concrete options the school really has, such as revision sessions, an exam schedule or adjusted conditions, and avoid vague reassurance.
- Avoid putting extra pressure on with comparisons or reminders of what is at stake.
- Agree on one or two small actions, and come back to them after the exams.
Mistakes to avoid
- Minimising with phrases like “it will be fine, you worry too much”.
- Giving revision advice before understanding what the student has already tried.
- Asking about medication, diagnoses or treatment.
- Contacting only the students whose grades are already low.
Let Passisto Students hold these conversations
The AI agent holds regular voice check-ins with your students and flags those who need help, so advisors can act early.