Struggling UK teenagers turn to social media influencers for academic triumph during exam periods
Online study influencers, such as "Mr Everything English," have gained popularity among UK GCSE students, providing predictions, revision tips, and engaging content designed to enhance exam performance, particularly in English[1][2]. Mr Everything English, who shares insights and exam strategies through platforms like TikTok, is a valuable resource for many students seeking preparation and confidence-building support.
However, educators have expressed concerns about the excessive reliance on such online advice, particularly when influencers present exam content as predictable or guarantee success[5]. This approach might lead students to overly depend on potentially speculative predictions rather than thorough understanding, which can be problematic if the actual exams differ from the forecasts.
One such influencer is Ishaan Bhimjiyani, who runs an educational influencer agency, Tap Lab, and offers an English predicted paper for £1.99 ($2.70) with a "history of 60-70 percent accuracy." Another influencer, Jen, who posts as Primrose Kitten and charges £4.99 for an English predicted paper with a video on phrasing to score top marks, also falls under this category[4].
The increasing dependence on certain online revision channels has been acknowledged by exam boards like AQA, which has warned about this trend[6]. Some educators and examiners are concerned that pupils are relying too much on online advice like Malik's, potentially undermining their own learning and exam readiness[5].
Examiners want students' interpretations of the texts they have studied, not someone else's views on social media. It's essential for students to understand the material themselves, rather than relying solely on predictions or advice from influencers[7].
Influencers like Mr Everything English do provide accessible and motivational revision support that can positively influence some students’ preparedness and motivation. However, it's crucial for students to remember that these predictions and tips should be used as supplements to their own studying, not as guarantees of success[5].
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/education-57444826 [2] https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/may/19/gcse-students-turn-to-tiktok-for-revision-tips-as-exam-stress-mounts [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/education-57444826 [4] https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/may/19/gcse-students-turn-to-tiktok-for-revision-tips-as-exam-stress-mounts [5] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gcse-students-rely-too-heavily-on-tiktok-for-revision-teachers-warn-tqhjgw6nk [6] https://www.aqa.org.uk/about-us/news-and-press/press-releases/2021/april/exam-boards-warn-against-reliance-on-certain-online-revision-channels [7] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gcse-students-rely-too-heavily-on-tiktok-for-revision-teachers-warn-tqhjgw6nk
Online education and self-development platforms, such as Tap Lab, which offer predicted papers for subjects like English, are increasingly being used by students as supplementary study materials, but it's important for these learners to remember that these resources are best utilized as aids to their own studies, rather than solely relying on them for guaranteed success. In the pursuit of education-and-self-development, it is essential for students to develop a thorough understanding of the material, not just rely on online predictions or advice from influencers like Ishaan Bhimjiyani or Primrose Kitten.
