The ultimate collection of motivational exam quotes for students, to help inspire and encourage you as you’re preparing for test-taking!
Studying for exams is stressful. It is HARD to stay inspired and keep going. Maybe you’ve forgotten why you’re doing this at all?
I get it, I’ve been there…
… So let’s take a moment to boost your motivation to study for exams with some of the world’s greatest-ever quotes about exams, tests and finals.
If any of these gems really catch your heart, why not print it out (or write it out yourself) and put it up above your desk? That way you’ll get a motivational shot in the arm every time you sit down to prepare for your tests!
Perhaps all you need is this simple set of encouraging words before a test:
“If you don’t do your revision properly, you know what’ll happen? YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”
― actor Sir Ian McKellen, channelling Gandalf from Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”, speaking to students at a high school in Somerset, England
My personal favourite 😉
But there’s lots more on the list: keep reading for the full list of all the best 49 powerful, inspirational exam quotes for students just like you!
- Exam quotes for investing in self-belief
- Motivational quotes to inspire you to chase your exam goals
- Quotes to inspire you overcome your exam fears
- Test taking quotes for encourangement before the exam
- Quotes that motivate you to get prepared for exams
- Test taking quotes for students who make excuses
- Motivational quotes to kick-start your exam preparation
- To round up…
- The Science Of Studying Smart
You can now download ALL the posters below (and plenty more) in our new Quotes Pack: 41 Inspirational Posters perfect for study spaces and classroom walls, and suitable for any budget (pay-as-you-feel!). The hi-resolution pdf is perfect for printing in any size up to A2 (that’s big!) and is chock full of all 41 beautiful posters from our five popular quotes collections on exam inspiration, study motivation, overcoming procrastination, making progress and growth mindset!
Which quote is your favourite? Let me know in the comments section below!
Exam quotes for investing in self-belief
Maybe self-belief doesn’t come naturally to you.
But trust the wisdom of these next set of test quotes: even for the toughest set of final exams, trust me when I say:
You’ve got this.
Choose one of these inspirational quotes to remind you that you can succeed in your exams:
2. Fake it till you make it
Students often doubt their abilities (see also “imposter syndrome“) – this awesome motivational quote is a fabulous antidote. Read it two or three times, and let it really sink in.
Remember this when you’re encounter challenges in preparing for an exam, or when you’re sitting in the test feeling stuck or lost.
Just ask yourself “what would a top A-grade student do about this?” Act accordingly. You might just unlock something you wouldn’t normally!
“Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.”
― Venus Williams, the first African American World No. 1 tennis player in the modern era
3. On overcoming obstacles
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”
― Christian D. Larson, author and teacher
4. Believe in yourself
“Self-belief and hard work will always earn you success.”
― Virat Kohli, Indian cricketer
5. Power of mindset
Another of my all-time favourite motivational exam quotes for students.
If you’re totally convinced you’ll fail, you’ll struggle to succeed.
But if you believe you’ll succeed, you’ll stand a much better chance.
Take it one step at a time – you can get there!
“If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.”
― Henry Ford, industrialist founder of the Ford Motor Company
6. Trust yourself
“Trust yourself, you know more than you think you do”
― Benjamin Spock, paediatrician and author
7. Coping with limiting beliefs
“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
― John Wooden, basketball player and coach
8. Everybody is a genius – according to Einstein
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid.” ― Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist
9. You got to keep going
“Believe in yourself, take on your challenges, dig deep within yourself to conquer fears. Never let anyone bring you down. You got to keep going.”
― Chantal Sutherland, Canadian jockey and model
10. Keep your dreams alive
“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
― Gail Devers, American Olympic champion in track and field
Motivational quotes to inspire you to chase your exam goals
Find some exam inspiration by reminding yourself what you are working TOWARDS with these quotes.
11. How badly do you want this?
“Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential.”
― John Maxwell, author and leadership expert
12. Nobody said this was going to be easy…
“If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, what you want becomes the sacrifice.”
― Unknown
13. Education: opening your mind
“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.”
― Malcolm Forbes, entrepreneur
14. Work smart, not just hard
This exam quote is about more than just motivation, it also reminds us as students that test success isn’t just about putting in as many hours as possible. It’s also about studying smarter, so we can make more progress in less time – see here for more tips on time-saving study strategies.
“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”
― John F. Kennedy, 35th US president
15. Know what you want to achieve
“The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it.”
― Henry Ford, industrialist founder of the Ford Motor Company
16. Finding mean even in extreme challenge
“Life is never made unbearable by circumstance, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.”
― Viktor Frankl, neurologist, philosopher and Holocaust survivor
17. Don’t focus on how you’ll fail: focus on how you’ll win
“Forget all the reasons it won’t work and believe the one reason that it will.”
― Unknown
18. Go live your dreams!
“Every morning you have two choices: continue to sleep with your dreams, or wake up and chase them.”
Unknown
Quotes to inspire you overcome your exam fears
Has exam season got your nerves frayed? Repair your confidence with a boost from these powerful quotes:
19. Embrace the power of the possible
“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m Possible’.”
― Audrey Hepburn, actress and humanitarian
Mind blown!
I loved this exam quote – for students, it reminds us that no matter how hard things seem at first, there IS potential to succeed.
See also the science of growth mindset: check our our helpful guide, or browse our growth mindset quote collection.
20. Just do it
“Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it.”
― Jules Renard, author – French
21. Being afraid just shows this matters to you
“Fear, inherently, is not meant to limit you. Fear is the brain’s way of saying that there is something important for you to overcome.”
― Unknown
22. How to bounce back
“I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs, but how high he bounces when he hits the bottom.”
― General George S. Patton, WW2 commander in the US Army
23. Imagine the possibilities…
“Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.”
― Jamie Paolinetti, pro bicycle racer and film-maker
24. Play to your strengths
“However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.”
― Stephen Hawking, who revolutionised our understanding of the universe despite near-total paralysis from motor neurone disease for much of his adult life
25. Be the best version of yourself – like Ariana Huffington
“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”
― Arianna Huffington, founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post
Test taking quotes for encourangement before the exam
Giving up now might seem easier, but these inspirational exam quotes for students will help you KEEP GOING and conquer your tests!
Some wonderful words of encouragement before a test.
26. The courage to continue
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
― Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
27. Go again: one more time
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
― Thomas A. Edison, businessman and inventor of the phonograph and electric lamp
28. Keep going!
“If you are going through hell, keep going.”
― Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
29. When it gets really tough…
If you’ve ever had to retake a big final exam, you’ll understand the pain this quote describes! Persevere, my friend – you can do it.
“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.”
― Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the US House of Representatives
30. Don’t give up: you’re almost there
If your motivation to prepare for the test is fading, remember this quote from author and abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe.
“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
― Harriet Beecher Stowe, author
31. Patience and perseverance
“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
― John Quincy Adams, 6th US president
32. Do you want to be hard to beat?
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”
― Babe Ruth, pro baseball player
Quotes that motivate you to get prepared for exams
Find a quote to remind you to maximise your chances in your exams by studying well.
33. The power of preparation
“By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.”
― Benjamin Franklin, scientist, author and Founding Father of the United States
34. Sharpen the axe
This motivational quote reminds us as students of a hugely important factor in exam preparation. If you
“A woodsman was once asked, ‘What would you do if you had just five minutes to chop down a tree?’ He answered, ‘I would spend the first two and a half minutes sharpening my axe.”
― Anonymous woodsman, popularly attributed to Abraham Lincoln
35. Play wisely
“Your life is not a simulation; it’s the real game. Play wisely.”
― Richelle Goodrich, author
36. You were born to win
If you’re encouraging someone before a test, remind them of this simple truth:
“You were born to win. But to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win and expect to win.”
― Zig Ziglar, ace salesman and motivational speaker
Test taking quotes for students who make excuses
Defeat the urge to procrastinate and get ready to study SMART with some help from these inspirational quotes:
37. Cut the excuses
“Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.”
― George Washington Carver, agricultural scientist and inventor
38. Overcome procrastination
One of the most important exam quotes for students who are prone to put things off to the last minute… you’ll regret it! For motivational strategies to help you overcome procrastination, check out these strategies.
“My biggest regret could be summed up in one word, and that’s procrastination.”
― Ron Cooper, American artist
39. Don’t look for excuses
“It’s not the time to look for excuses.”
– Rafael Nadal, pro tennis player
40. It’s OK to excuse others – just not yourself
“The real man is one who always finds excuses for others, but never excuses himself.”
― Henry Ward Beecher, social reformer, speaker and clergyman
Motivational quotes to kick-start your exam preparation
Sometimes the hardest thing is just getting started! These inspirational exam quotes will help you dive in and get MOVING:
41. The secret to greatness
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
― Zig Ziglar, ace salesman and motivational speaker
42. Do it today
“My advice is, never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.”
― Charles Dickens, author, in ‘David Copperfield’
43. You can’t get ahead without getting started
Mark Twain’s wisdom makes for a great motivational quote for exams. Just remember you need to start, and success will flow from there!
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain, writer, novelist and author
Just remember not to get too carried away focusing on “getting ahead” vs classmates. Competition can be a dangerous form of motivation for exams, as motivation expert Dr Erika Patall explained in her recent appearance on the Exam Study Expert podcast.
Run your own race, and focus on being that bit better than you were yesterday.
44. Be resourceful
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
― Arthur Ashe, pro tennis player
45. It’s quicker once you start!
“It’s the job that’s never started as takes the longest to finish.”
― author J.R.R. Tolkien in ‘The Lord of the Rings’
46. It’s never the perfect time – start anyway
“If we wait for the moment when absolutely everything is ready we shall never begin.”
― Ivan Turgenev, Russian novelist
47. Ancient Chinese wisdom on how to move mountains
Preparing for a big final exam can be daunting: this motivational quote for exam preparation could be just what you need. Just take it one small stone at a time: learn one paragraph, study 10 words or try writing a sample essay introduction. Stay consistent, and before long you’ll have started to move the mountain!
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
― Confucius, Chinese philosopher and politician
48. Is today the day you write a new ending?
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
― Maria Robinson, child development and early years education author
To round up…
…here’s one final motivational exam quote to encourage you before an upcoming test!
49. Final exam quote for students before a test
“Of course, it is very important to be sober when you take an exam. Many worthwhile careers in the street-cleansing, fruit-picking and subway-guitar-playing industries have been founded on a lack of understanding of this simple fact.”
― author Sir Terry Pratchett, in “Moving Pictures”
Look, I’ve got no beef with anyone who does any of these things for a living – these are vital services we all need (well, the guitar-playing one is debatable..!) – but we all know what the late Sir Terry means in this exam quote.
Show up properly prepared for major exams and finals, and you can open the door to life success.
I hope that you’re feeling inspired to get to work and ace your exams! Good luck!
Looking for more?
If you didn’t find a quote that resonated with you, never fear – you can find 41 MORE quotes to motivate you to exam success right here! And if you’re looking for even more quotes to inspire your studies or encourage your students, we’ve also gathered up the best quotes all about: overcoming procrastination, making progress, and growth mindset!
PLUS, don’t forget you can download our Quotes Pack to grab all the posters above plus many more from all our popular quotes collections. The hi-resolution pdf is perfect for printing in any size up to A2 (that’s big!), suitable for any budget (pay-as-you-feel!), and packed with 41 inspirational posters for every study space!
If you’re feeling super inspired and would love to get an advantage for your exams right now, my free exam success cheat sheet will show you EXACTLY how. Sign up below to learn my ultimate secrets to studying SMARTER (not just harder!) and boost your grades today.
Really inspirational! A fantastic resource to keep students inspired and focused on their journey towards success.
Great article to read. Keep sharing like this.
Oh well it was … so gooooooood thank you so much
You’re welcome! Glad you found them inspiring 🙂
thank you for giving me wonderful information
It’s our pleasure. Thanks for stopping by!
Nice
All over the best quotes. We hope that these quotes will help you stay motivated and achieve your goals.
Thanks David, glad you enjoyed our quotes collection!
All quotes are super-inspiring. Thanks for these.
Remove the word impossible from your memory rather from your Dictionary.
Great suggestion, thank you!
forget about the test and do your best
Hi!
Thanks for writing an awesome collection of exam quotes. Your all quote really has motivated me. A big thanks to you.
Keep sharing!
That’s great to hear, Saurabh – wishing you every success!