UK Teens Turn to Social Media Influencers for Exam Success

As the pressure of upcoming examinations mounts, many teenagers in the UK are increasingly turning to social media influencers for guidance and exam preparation. Notable among these influencers is former teacher Waqar Malik, who has gained significant traction on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Malik claims he can predict exam questions for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) English literature papers, attracting thousands of followers seeking to improve their chances of success.

Malik, who operates under the name “Mr Everything English,” asserts that he accurately predicted last year’s entire exam paper. While he describes his forecasts as educated guesses, educators express concern over the potential misguidance these predictions may offer students. Sarah Brownsword, an assistant professor in education at the University of East Anglia, highlights the appeal of such predictions for stressed students, noting that “if you are a 15- or 16-year-old doing your GCSEs, having someone tell you what the exam will be about is incredibly enticing.”

With the GCSE results scheduled for release on August 21, 2023, some students have already voiced their disappointment following their exams in May, claiming that Malik’s predictions were inaccurate. One student commented on social media, “Never listening to you again bro,” while others expressed concern about their futures, stating they might end up working in fast food due to poor performance.

Concerns Over Reliance on Online Guidance

The exam board AQA has raised alarms about the increasing dependence on online revision channels. It emphasized the importance of students developing their own interpretations of the materials studied, rather than relying on the views of unknown individuals on social media. AQA stated, “Clearly this is an important source of revision and support for students, but we want your interpretation of the texts you have studied, not some stranger’s views on social media.”

The pressures students face have prompted many to seek any available assistance. Sarah Hannafin, head of policy for the school leaders’ union NAHT, remarked, “With so much content to cover and revise in every subject, it can be completely overwhelming. It is unsurprising that young people are looking for anything to help them cope.”

Malik’s prediction videos have drawn significant attention, with one of his posts reaching over 290,000 views on YouTube. Despite his popularity, Malik did not respond to requests for comments regarding his content and its impact on students.

The Role of Educational Influencers

While some educators are wary of these online forecasts, other content creators defend their value. Tilly Taylor, a university student who provides revision advice to her 100,000 TikTok followers, clarifies that her videos present predictions based on past exam papers and examiner reports. She argues, “Those kind of videos were never to mislead,” emphasizing transparency in her content.

In contrast, Ishaan Bhimjiyani, who has over 400,000 followers on TikTok, acknowledges the potential for educational influencers to market predicted papers responsibly. He promotes a service offering predicted papers for £1.99 (approximately $2.70) with a stated accuracy of 60-70 percent. Bhimjiyani, who previously attended a private school, launched an educational influencer agency called Tap Lab, representing over 100 creators, many of whom monetize their platforms primarily through paid promotions.

Another influencer, known as Primrose Kitten, sells predicted papers for £4.99 and includes instructional videos aimed at helping students excel in their exams. She highlights the utility of these resources as a means for students to evaluate their readiness for the examinations.

The trend of relying on social media influencers for academic guidance reflects a broader shift in how students access information and support. As traditional educational structures evolve, the role of influencers in shaping students’ study habits and exam preparation continues to grow, prompting important discussions about the balance between online guidance and authentic educational experiences.