COMING up with New Year's resolutions shouldn't be that tough for teenagers facing the prospect of pending A-level exams. Education reporter Haydn Lewis looks at a few ways parents can help make the process of revision less painful.

AS pupils start back for the spring term, many will be searching for the secrets of exam success and with important A-level examinations starting in less than ten days, time is of the essence.

Exam boards have a vested interest in pupils doing well and many come up with their own tips for parents at this time of year.

Edexcel has issued advice for parents on how best to support their son or daughter's revision programme.

Jerry Jarvis, managing director of Edexcel, said: "Students and parents need advice and guidance during what can be a very stressful time.

"Our online exam zone can help them find the information they need and steer them in the right direction.

"It will help people understand the process and equip them with the knowledge so they can follow the correct channels."

Here is a list of ten top revision tips for parents:

1. Create a dedicated quiet space with good natural light or lighting that is best for studying, with no distractions. If you have other children who are not studying for exams, make sure that they know the importance of revision time.

2. Ensure that your son or daughter has one evening a week away from studies. It's also important that they take regular breaks during the study periods.

3. Be around as a "feeding station" - feed your child lots of healthy food and proper meals - not too many sugary snacks and junk food.

4. Offer to help with testing or ask if there is something that you can do for them - reassure them you are concerned about their welfare more than the results.

5. Know your son or daughter's revision timetable. Encourage them to tell you about what they are studying. If you know that they are not at their best first thing in the morning, encourage them to rest then and work when they are more lively. They should choose their weakest/sleepiest time of day to be sociable and go out, or watch TV at those times.

6. Know exactly the date, time and location for each exam and incorporate this into the revision plan and make sure that they have the correct equipment they need for the exam (calculators, rulers etc). Know what they are not allowed to take in to the exam (mobile phones, pagers, text messagers etc).

7. If your son or daughter has a medical condition, eg diabetes or hay fever, make sure that the school knows about it. There are special considerations for some conditions.

8. If there is a family crisis, for example divorce or bereavement, again ensure that your son or daughter's teacher knows about it since the additional stress can affect your child's exam performance.

9. Make sure that your child is actually using the internet to study and not as a resource to give the appearance of study!

10. Tell them that they can only try their best and even if they don't do as well as you hope, you still love them just as much.