Mock Exam Tips

Mock exams are a crucial part of preparing for GCSEs, offering students a valuable opportunity to practice under proper exam conditions. Mock exams help identity areas of weakness, allow students to refine their study skills before the real exams in May and June. Here are eight practical tips for anyone sitting mocks this winter to help make the experience less stressful and more productive. Plus, I’ve added a few pointers for parents, so they can support their teens during this intense period.

1. Make a Study Schedule

A study schedule can help you allocate time across all subjects, preventing last-minute cramming. Work backwards from the date of each exam, breaking down what you need to review each day. Aim to start preparing a few weeks before the mocks begin. 

Whatever the schedule you create, it doesn’t need to be rigid and set in stone. Allow flexibility and buffer time for unexpected things e.g. illness. Remember to schedule in any extra curricular activities you have, and stop earlier enough each day to allow for wind down time before bed.

2. Practice time management

Sitting exams isn’t just about knowing and understanding the content and answering questions about, but also managing your time within the exam itself. How do you split up a 90 minute exam with 5 questions to answer?

Practising exam time management can help in many ways. You learn how much you can write in a certain amount of time, how to improve your writing, which helps with confidence and reduce anxiety. The rule of thumb is 1 mark per 1 minute, for example when answering a 30 mark question, set a timer for 30 minutes and see how much you can write. 

3. Learn to Prioritise

If you have a limit amount of time, prioritise the subjects or topics where you feel least confident. It’s easier to revise topics you enjoy but the chances are high that you already know that stuff pretty well. It’s the stuff we don’t like, the stuff we don’t know very well that we need to revise. 

Consider using the traffic light method: mark topics in red that you find difficult, yellow for topics that you need to work on, and green for topics you are comfortable with. Focus on the red topics first, then yellow, with the least amount of time on green. 

4. Use Active Revision Techniques

Many students spend hours rereading notes or highlighting textbooks. These techniques are called passive revision and not always effective for retaining information. Instead, try active revision techniques such as: 

• Flashcards: Write questions on one side and answers on the other, then test yourself.

• Practice Papers: Past papers are some of the best tools for revision, helping you apply knowledge in an exam-style format.

• Teaching someone else: Explaining a topic out loud, even to an imaginary audience, reinforces understanding and identifies gaps in knowledge.

5. Focus on the Mark Scheme

For GCSEs (and A Levels and IB too), knowing what the examiners are looking for is just as important as knowing the material. Using mark schemes to understand how points are awarded can help improve you answering technique. 

For English specifically, have the assessment objectives with you whenever answering a question. Remember, there are different assessment objectives for English Literature and English Language. Compare your answers to the mark scheme and note down where you could make improvements, and potentially gain extra marks. 

6. Take Care of Your Well-Being

Any exam season (mock or real) can be stressful, so taking care of yourself is vital. Aim to get 7 - 9 hours of sleep each night and stop revising at least an hour before bed to allow your mind to unwind and relax. Physical exercise can also reduce stress and improve concentration, whether it’s your weekly football training or a 10 minute walk outside. 

7. Don’t Fear Mistakes – Embrace Them

Mock exams are first and foremost a learning experience and mistakes are a part of the process. Rather than seeing errors as failures, see them as opportunities to understand where you need improvement. When you get your results, go through the answers and/or feedback and spot any patterns in mistakes. Did you read the question correctly? Is a content gap? Is it your spelling and punctuation? Whatever it may be, use this feedback to adjust your study plan for the actual exams. 

8. Take a Break After the Mocks

After the mocks are completed, take a few days off from intense revision. Many students have their mocks in December, just before the Christmas holidays. If this is the case, take the entire holiday off from revision. 

A break is essential for your mental health and will allow you to reflect one what you learned from the mocks without feeling overwhelmed. Once you’re rested, then you can start thinking about going back to revision.

Tips for Parents

Parents play a key role in supporting their children through mock exams. Here are two ways to help without adding pressure:

1. Encourage and Listen, Don’t Pressure

While it’s natural to want your child to perform well, remember that mocks are a practice run. Encourage them to do their best but emphasise that mistakes now can lead to improvements later. After each exam, give them the opportunity to talk about their experience if they wish, but avoid pressing them too hard for details. Sometimes, just knowing you’re available to listen can be the greatest support.

2. Create a Supportive Environment at Home

During the exam period, try to create a calm environment at home. Make sure there’s a quiet place for studying, and limit distractions like loud noises or unnecessary interruptions. Simple actions, like offering to make a snack or ensuring they’re taking breaks, can make a big difference. Avoid the urge to remind them constantly about studying—trust their process and let them take ownership of their exams.

Final Thoughts

Mock exams are a stepping stone toward the real GCSEs and a valuable opportunity to understand what works best for you as a learner. By practising time management, trying out different revision techniques, and maintaining a healthy balance, you can make the most of this period without feeling too overwhelmed. Don’t worry if your mock results aren’t perfect—they’re a tool to help you learn and improve. Parents, too, play a vital role by offering encouragement and creating a positive home environment.

Ultimately, remember that success in exams comes not just from knowledge, but from resilience, planning, and self-care. Mocks might seem daunting, but they’re a chance to build all these skills, setting you up for a successful summer exam season