Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of learning

William Wadsworth

Exam Preparation

Study Techniques

Retrieval Practice

Education

Time Management

Stress Management

Academic Success

Cognitive Load Theory

Flashcards

Cognitive Psychology

Procrastination

Study Strategies

Learning Strategies

Mental Health

Memory

Focus

Mindset

Motivation

Growth Mindset

Spaced Repetition

Don’t work harder, work smarter: how to study effectively and get the grades of your dreams with winning review strategies, killer memory techniques and exam preparation tips you won’t hear anywhere else. Join Cambridge educated psychologist, study techniques researcher, coach and tutor William Wadsworth as we dive into the secrets of academic success.Looking for the grades of your dreams? Want to... more

541 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	223	Founded	7 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	CoursesEducationKids & FamilyEducation for Kids

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Latest Episodes

225. High Stakes, High Stress? Keep it Cool with Stuntman Dr Brian Hite

Today, in the lead-up to exam season, we’re diving right into how to perform well in high-stakes, high-pressure situations with expert Dr Brian Hite.

And who better to ask about high stakes than a stuntman, former army resilience trainer, sports ps... more

10 May 2026 • 44 min

224. "The Easy Button" For Exam Season Success

Got a lot on your plate at the moment? Today we're helping you thrive in a demanding exam season with the help of "the easy button": specific moves you can make to take some of the pressure off in the short-term and free up a little extra time and br... more

6 May 2026 • 12 min

223. Perfectionism, Self-Compassion and Making Progress - with Dr Tara Cousineau

Perfectionism can feel like ambition for many students, but it often fuels anxiety, procrastination, and a harsh inner critic that makes studying harder than it needs to be.

We’re joined today by Harvard-trained clinical psychologist, author and pe... more

26 Apr 2026 • 45 min

222. Eating Your Frogs In The Final Weeks Before An Exam

Today, I'm sharing one question that cuts through revision stress and helps you decide what to study next: what kind of learning feels most difficult right now?

Tune in to find out why mental resistance is a signal to prioritise that work and how y... more

19 Apr 2026 • 7 min

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Recent Guests

Brian Hite

Resilience and high-pressure performance expert, stuntman, author

Brian Hite Global

Episode: 225. High Stakes, High Stress? Keep it Cool with Stuntman Dr Brian Hite

Dr. Tara Cousineau

Clinical psychologist and author of The Perfectionist's Dilemma

The Perfectionist's Dilemma; taracousineau.com

Episode: 223. Perfectionism, Self-Compassion and Making Progress - with Dr Tara Cousineau

Jennifer Veilleux

Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Arkansas; practicing clinical therapist

University of Arkansas

Episode: 221. Your Emotional Toolkit for Academic Stress - with Dr Jennifer Veilleux

Alex Quigley

A teacher with a focus on learning, literacy, and author of 'Why Learning Fails'

Education Endowment Foundation

Episode: 217. Why Learning Fails (and What To Do) - with Alex Quigley

Peter Lee

Head Teacher at Q3 Academy Langley

Q3 Academy Langley

Episode: 216. Transforming Schools with Learning Science: Inside Two High-Performing UK Schools

Andy Green

Executive principal at Copleston High School

Copleston High School

Episode: 216. Transforming Schools with Learning Science: Inside Two High-Performing UK Schools

Nathan Burns

Metacognition specialist, author, and speaker

Episode: 215. Metacognition Toolkit: Ace Your Learning – with Nathan Burns

Colin Corby

CEO of Technology Wellbeing and the Digital Detox Coach, focused on helping individuals achieve a sustainable balance between technology use and personal well-being.

Technology Wellbeing

Episode: 213. Overcome Distraction and Lock In: with Colin Corby

Dr. Sarah McKay

Neuroscientist and author with a PhD in neuroscience from Oxford University

ABC Catalyst

Episode: 211. Neuroscience Secrets: Attention, Focus and Memory with Dr Sarah McKay

Host

William Wadsworth

Host and psychologist specializing in study techniques and academic success, William combines personal experience with the latest research in learning and memory.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 541 ratings

Practical tools for school success and beyond!
William is compelling, interesting, and committed to real tools to help in audience succeed in school, and life. And. I truly enjoyed being a guest.
Apple Podcasts
5
DrKAHorn
United States8 months ago
Where was this show when I was a student?
Truly an honor to share my Visualization and Vision Board lessons with William's audience. Wishing I'd had access to people like him when I was a student...and a slacker (yes I was). It was my pleasure to share tips, tactics and strategies to help them out. Life is a long road, and it's too easy to fall for the fictitious 'wins' that so many (cough cough) 'Influencers' are pimping as their reality. I'd much rather see everyone running their own race, at their own pace, creating a life that bre... more
Apple Podcasts
5
Steve Gamlin
United Statesa year ago
Brilliant podcast; practical techniques
If you want to optimize your learning and test taking, this podcast is for you! William is a passionate and brilliant host who directs his expert guests toward practical techniques you can implement immediately. Discover the research backed methods from the fields of psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, and more. Follow and listen for motivation and tips; share with a classmate or friend in need. These are the skills I wish I had at the beginning of my studies!
-Ann Swanson, MS
Apple Podcasts
5
GastrocRock
United Statesa year ago
Why this is the best.
This is just the best listen to it it’s really useful trust me you will like it just go and watch it no seriously just go and listen to it please
Apple Podcasts
5
Honex2007
United States2 years ago
Grade A!
William knows his audience well and asks the right questions of his guests to highlight their strengths while bringing maximum value to his audience.
Apple Podcasts
5
Little Buckster
United States2 years ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is strong appreciation for the variety of expert guests who lend their insights on enhancing academic performance and overcoming obstacles.

Listeners praise the practical and effective advice that they can implement immediately in their study routines.

Feedback indicates a significant positive impact on listeners' study habits, confidence, and overall academic success.

Many reviews highlight the engaging and informative style of the host, making complex topics accessible and relatable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#122	United Kingdom/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#221	Canada/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#58	Australia/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#173	Italy/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#248	Germany/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#1	Finland/Education/Courses

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

225. High Stakes, High Stress? Keep it Cool with Stuntman Dr Brian Hite

Q: What is the four-phased approach to performance and how does it apply to exams?

The four phases are before, right before, during, and after. Before is preparation, right before is the transition into performance, during is the execution, and after focuses on recovery and learning to improve future performance. This framework helps coordinate mental and physical states across a test.

225. High Stakes, High Stress? Keep it Cool with Stuntman Dr Brian Hite

Q: What resources do you have to bear in the moment during a test, and how do you move from preparation into performance when the clock is ticking?

In the moment you identify problem relevance, leverage your prepared routines, and use both mental and physical resources—breathing, cue words, and quick shifts in attention—to maintain focus. If you hit a snag, you switch to another task and come back later, using disengagement and resumption to unlock answers.

225. High Stakes, High Stress? Keep it Cool with Stuntman Dr Brian Hite

Q: And so you mentioned that you specialize in teaching high stakes performance. So tell us a little bit about what that means to you.

High stakes performance refers to situations where the consequences of success and failure are vastly different; the bigger the gap between outcomes, the more intense the performance pressure. It also involves recognizing that stakes are partly self-generated and require managing both perception and available resources.

217. Why Learning Fails (and What To Do) - with Alex Quigley

Q: What are some of the solutions you've proposed in your work?

Anticipate the issues, adapt quickly, and employ effective strategies to enhance learning outcomes.

217. Why Learning Fails (and What To Do) - with Alex Quigley

Q: What inspired the perspective about why learning goes wrong sometimes?

Teaching thousands of students and considering it for adults revealed consistency in where learning fails; if we can anticipate these failures, we can address them effectively.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the art and science of effective studying, this series provides insights into learning strategies, exam preparation techniques, and cognitive psychology principles that aim to enhance academic performance. Key discussions involve the importance of metacognition, effective study habits, and the impact of psychological factors on learning. A unique feature of this series is its blending of personal anecdotes with evidence-based strategies, making it relatable and actionable for listeners striving for academic excellence. The show also features a range of expert guests who contribute their experiences and insights, further enriching the content and providing diverse perspectives on educational success.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement
2. How to Be a Better Human
3. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
4. Kwik Brain with Jim Kwik
5. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 7 years ago and published 223 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Brian Hite
2. Dr. Tara Cousineau
3. Jennifer Veilleux
4. Alex Quigley
5. Peter Lee
6. Andy Green
7. Nathan Burns
8. Colin Corby

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