What separates students who consistently achieve A* grades in their IGCSE exams from those who struggle to pass? It is rarely raw intelligence. More often, it comes down to habits — the daily routines, study techniques, and mindset that top performers develop over time.

The good news? These habits can be learned. In this article, we reveal the study strategies that high-performing IGCSE students use and how your child can adopt them starting today.

Why Habits Matter More Than Talent

Research from educational psychology consistently shows that consistent study habits outperform natural ability when it comes to exam results. A student with average ability and excellent habits will almost always outperform a naturally gifted student with poor habits.

This is encouraging because habits are within your control. You cannot change your IQ, but you can change how you study.

The 12 Study Habits of Top IGCSE Students

1. They Start Early — Not the Night Before

High-performing students do not cram. They begin their revision weeks or even months before exams. This allows them to:

• Spread learning over time — Known as spaced repetition, this technique dramatically improves long-term retention
• Identify gaps early — There is time to seek help on difficult topics
• Reduce stress — No last-minute panic means better sleep and clearer thinking on exam day

Action step: Create a revision timetable at least 8 weeks before exams. Divide subjects into topics and allocate time for each.

2. They Use Active Recall, Not Passive Reading

Reading notes over and over feels productive but is one of the least effective study methods. Top students use active recall instead:

• Close the textbook and try to write down everything you remember about a topic
• Use flashcards to test yourself
• Answer past paper questions without looking at notes first
• Explain concepts out loud as if teaching someone else

Active recall forces your brain to retrieve information, which strengthens memory far more than passive review.

3. They Practise With Past Papers — Extensively

If there is one habit that separates A* students from the rest, it is this: they do past papers relentlessly.

Why past papers work:

• You learn the format and style of questions
• You understand what examiners are looking for
• You identify which topics come up most frequently
• You practise under timed conditions, building exam stamina

How to use them effectively:

1. Start with untimed attempts to build confidence
2. Progress to timed conditions as exams approach
3. Mark your own papers using the official mark scheme
4. Focus extra revision on topics where you lost marks

Most IGCSE past papers and mark schemes are available free online through the Cambridge website.

4. They Follow a Consistent Study Schedule

Top students do not study in random bursts. They have a consistent routine:

• Same time each day — This builds a habit loop that makes starting easier
• Balanced across subjects — Not just the subjects they enjoy
• Built-in breaks — Study sessions of 25–45 minutes with short breaks (the Pomodoro Technique works well)
• Protected time — Phone off, social media blocked, distractions minimised

Consistency beats intensity. One hour of focused study every day is far more effective than a five-hour marathon once a week.

5. They Understand — They Do Not Just Memorise

Memorisation has its place, but understanding is what earns top marks. High-performing students:

• Ask “why” and “how,” not just “what”
• Connect new concepts to things they already know
• Look for patterns across topics and subjects
• Can explain concepts in their own words

This deeper understanding allows them to tackle unfamiliar questions — the kind that distinguish A* from A.

6. They Use Multiple Resources

Top students do not rely on a single textbook. They use a variety of resources:

• Textbooks — For comprehensive coverage
• Online videos — For visual explanations of difficult concepts
• Study guides — For concise revision summaries
• Past papers — For exam practice
• Tutoring sessions — For personalised help on weak areas

At Tutopiya, our IGCSE tutors provide targeted support that complements your child’s independent study, focusing on the specific topics they find most challenging.

7. They Take Care of Their Health

This is often overlooked, but physical health directly impacts academic performance:

• Sleep — 8–9 hours for teenagers. Sleep is when memory consolidation happens. Cutting sleep to study more is counterproductive
• Exercise — Regular physical activity improves concentration and reduces stress
• Nutrition — A balanced diet fuels the brain. Avoid excessive sugar and caffeine
• Hydration — Even mild dehydration reduces cognitive function

Students who neglect their health during exam season often see their performance decline, not improve.

8. They Seek Help When They Are Stuck

High-performing students are not afraid to ask for help. They:

• Ask teachers to clarify concepts they do not understand
• Work with a tutor on particularly challenging topics
• Study with peers to discuss and debate ideas
• Use online forums and resources when stuck on a problem

Struggling in silence wastes time. Getting help quickly keeps momentum going.

9. They Review and Correct Their Mistakes

Making mistakes is inevitable. What matters is what you do with them:

• Keep an error log — Write down mistakes from practice papers and homework
• Understand why — Do not just note the correct answer; understand why your answer was wrong
• Revisit regularly — Review your error log before exams to avoid repeating the same mistakes
• Track improvement — Compare scores on past papers over time to see progress

This habit turns mistakes from setbacks into learning opportunities.

10. They Set Specific Goals

Vague goals like “study more” or “do better” are ineffective. Top students set SMART goals:

• Specific — “Improve my understanding of organic chemistry reactions”
• Measurable — “Score at least 35/40 on the next practice paper”
• Achievable — Challenging but realistic given current performance
• Relevant — Focused on areas that will have the most impact
• Time-bound — “By the end of next week”

Goals create direction and motivation. Without them, studying feels aimless.

11. They Minimise Distractions

The average student checks their phone every 6 minutes during study time. Top students eliminate this problem:

• Phone in another room — Not just on silent, physically away
• App blockers — Tools that prevent access to social media during study hours
• Clean workspace — A tidy, dedicated study area free from clutter
• Noise management — Quiet environment or consistent background music (no lyrics)

One hour of distraction-free study is worth three hours of interrupted study.

12. They Stay Positive and Manage Stress

Exam pressure is real, and top students are not immune to stress. The difference is how they manage it:

• Growth mindset — Believing that ability improves with effort
• Self-compassion — Not beating themselves up over setbacks
• Perspective — Exams are important but not the end of the world
• Stress management — Exercise, hobbies, socialising, and proper rest
• Celebration — Acknowledging progress, not just final results

A positive mindset is not a luxury — it is a performance enhancer.

Building These Habits: A Practical Plan

Adopting all 12 habits at once is unrealistic. Here is a phased approach:

Week 1–2: Foundation

• Set up a consistent daily study schedule
• Create a revision timetable
• Organise study materials and workspace

Week 3–4: Technique

• Start using active recall and flashcards
• Begin practising with past papers
• Start an error log

Week 5–6: Optimisation

• Add variety to resources (videos, guides, tutoring)
• Refine your schedule based on what is working
• Set specific weekly goals

Week 7–8: Performance

• Full timed past papers under exam conditions
• Review error log and focus on weak areas
• Prioritise sleep and health

How Tutopiya Supports IGCSE Success

At Tutopiya, we help students build these habits with:

• Expert IGCSE tutors who know the syllabus, mark schemes, and examiner expectations
• Personalised sessions that target each student’s specific weak areas
• Regular progress tracking so students and parents can see improvement
• Flexible scheduling that fits around school and extracurricular activities
• Exam technique coaching — not just content, but how to answer questions effectively

Conclusion

A* grades in IGCSE are not reserved for the naturally gifted. They are earned through consistent, effective study habits practised over time. The 12 habits outlined in this article are not secrets — they are proven strategies that any student can adopt with commitment and the right support.

Start with one or two habits this week. Build from there. And if your child needs expert guidance along the way, we are here to help.

Ready to give your child the edge? Book a free trial class with Tutopiya and connect with an IGCSE specialist who can help turn these habits into results.