Colman Noctor: When mock exams feel all too real for your child 

As a parent of a Junior Certificate pupil this year, I have realised the stress of the upcoming mock exams can be substantial

Research suggests short study intervals of 45-50
minutes, followed by a 10-minute break, are
more productive than hours of continuous revision. Picture: iStock 

For many teenagers in exam years, January isn’t just a new term — it’s when the reality of mock exams comes into sharp focus.

In recent years, I have written the annual pre-exam column in late May as the upcoming State exams draw near. Usually, I focus on Leaving Cert students.