You may find this hard to believe but . . .

You may find this hard to believe but a little forward planning and attention to logistics could gain you extra marks on your Leaving Cert or Junior Cert papers. The sad fact is that, however hard you've worked and however great your knowledge of your subject, you're likely to lose marks if you neglect a number of factors.

First, you must remember that latecomers may be refused entry to an exam. That's the worst scenario, of course, but don't forget that being behind time, arriving late or getting there barely on time could turn you into a nervous wreck. Not taking time out to calm down at the start of an exam could result in your failing to do yourself justice. The wise approach is to ensure that you arrive calm and relaxed well ahead of time.

If you want to avoid being late, get a good alarm clock or persuade mother, father, brother, sister or somebody to wake you in good time.

It may sound uncool - but remember - you need to leave home on a full stomach. A healthy and sustaining breakfast - a bowl of cereal say, and some brown bread - is a must. Crisps and black coffee simply won't do the business.

Hunger pangs during the exam will cause you to feel weak. Diminished energy levels invariably result in a lack of concentration.

Most students find it helpful to check out the exam timetable and pencil in the time of each exam in their personal copies of the timetable - which is provided in E&L this week. It's advisable, too, to pin up your timetable in a prominent position at home.

Are you sure of the exact location of the exam centre? A trial run will enable you to work out how long it will take you to get there. However, you should check out journey times for mornings and afternoons. Make allowances for traffic, which will vary depending on the time of the day.

You may find it hard to credit - but clothing is an important exam issue which needs careful consideration. If you're wearing a school uniform make sure that it's clean. Similarly if you're wearing your own clothes decide what you're wearing well before time. A last minute scramble for clean clothes or an indecisive rummage through your wardrobe is a recipe for disaster.

Ideally you should plan on wearing comfortable clothes - you don't want distractions on that front during the exams. It's also recommended that you dress in layers so that you can peel off if the temperature in the exam hall rises. Be sure to bring something warm because feeling cold can also take your mind off the job in hand.

It's good idea to wear a - borrow one if you don't own one - so that you can keep track of the time you're spending on each question.

No schoolbags or books are allowed into the exams. Similarly, you're forbidden from borrowing equipment from other students during an exam. So, avoid last minute hassle by making a list of and collecting all the equipment you need to bring in with you, well before the exams. This will include pens and pencils (and spares), rulers, rubbers, correction fluid, mathematical instruments and a calculator.

By now you should be starting to draw up a final revision plan. This should take into account the order in which you're sitting your exams. When revising it's advisable to avoid covering new ground in the run-up to the exams. If you have a number of days between your last few subjects you can use that time to revise your last papers.

The last thing you want to do is to go into the exams without familiarising yourself with the exam papers. It's vital that you are aware of their layouts and the types of questions that will be asked. If you haven't yet seen copies of previous exam papers, get your hands on them immediately. Time yourself on sample questions. It's a good idea to work your way through some questions with a friend timing you - especially if you haven't attempted many practice papers or questions.

Finally, plan to get plenty of before and during the exams. Experts say that we all need at least eight hours sleep each night - it does wonders for the brain.