Jump to main content
Search
shortlist register contact us menu
prepare students for mock exams

How can you prepare students for mock exams?

Date posted : 22 December 2020

The exam season can be a difficult time for students and some will experience a heightened pressure to perform well under timed conditions. The best thing that a teacher can do to prepare their students for this is practise with mock examinations. Most students will admit to cramming before an exam, despite cramming being linked to increased stressed levels, so the trick is to get them started with their revision early. That way they’ll see just how much they need to revise and get off the starting blocks with a head start. Here are four ways you can prepare your students for mock exams:

Supply past papers

If you have previous mock papers or access to practice papers these will help give your students an idea of the structure of the exam and the different command words. Also, the papers will highlight what topics they need to focus on and by using an official marking guide they’ll learn exactly what an examiner will be looking for and how they can pick up those marks. One piece of A* advice from an A* student is that students should start the past papers at least two weeks before the exam.

Help your pupils get started with a distributed practice approach by setting practice papers as homework or do one together in the classroom under timed conditions. It’s important that before the mock exam they understand how long they should spend on answers and how they can make sure they don’t run out of time.

Create topic summaries

A lot of information can be covered in a term or a year, making it hard for students to remember those earlier topics. Creating a summary of each topic ensures they have an overview of the syllabus they’ve learnt so far and is a great strategy to help combat learning loss. The summary should cover the main points and therefore help them to compartmentalise the subject into sub-topics. 

Rather than creating the summaries yourself, you can get your students involved by assigning each person a topic and ask them to condense it into five to seven bullet points. Have those students share their bullet points in class and, in turn, hear their classmates’ summaries of the topics they were assigned.

Find helpful revision websites and videos

Technology has changed the education landscape and while web-based learning was becoming the norm, this trend took off in the wake of covid. BBC Bitesize and Seneca Learning are among the best stocked revision websites, with interactive quizzes, videos and step-by-step guides for all age ranges. These websites offer courses across a range of topics but there are also sites dedicated to specific subjects, such as , which is a free online learning platform that gives access to resources, videos and exams questions.

The wealth of free information you can find on YouTube has led to the coining of the phrase StudyTube. The content you can find on the video-sharing platform covers exam techniques, revision tips and guides for tricky topics. Do your research to find the StudyTubers you want to recommend to your students.

Help students plan a revision timetable

As a teacher, it’s important to remember that many things can cause pupils stress and anxiety, one being examinations. The abundance of classroom notes and online resources means that your students have enough materials to get them top grades, but with so much to cover it can be overwhelming and they may not know where to start.

Share a revision timetable template and get them to start by filling in their school hours, other commitments and time for homework. Encourage your students to experiment with their timetable and find what works best for them. For example, they might try the Pomodoro Technique and find that the 25-minute blocks with breaks in between help them stay focused. Advise them to schedule the subjects they find harder at the beginning of the day when their brain is feeling fresh. Lastly, remind your students to set realistic expectations and give themselves enough time to relax.

Bring your education career to Teaching Personnel 

Using these tips you can make sure your students are prepared for their upcoming mock exams and feel on top of their revision. You can find plenty more helpful teaching advise from Teaching Personnel, such as our top behaviour management strategies, and we also provide advise on DBS checks and help our candidates understand what their career options are. If you’d like to speak to a member of the team to hear how we can help you, contact us and we’ll be in touch.

List #1

Related posts

Teaching interview questions: what to expect and how to prepare

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD09YY

Summary

Walking into a teaching interview can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced teachers. The secret? Preparation. Knowing what to expect, understanding the school, and thinking through your answer

Teaser

Teaching interviews can feel daunting, but the right preparation makes all the difference. From common questions to safeguarding, behaviour management, and career development, here’s how to prepare, what to expect, and how to make the best impression.

Read more
Teacher pay scales 2025–26: what you need to know

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD09YY

Summary

Pay is always a big topic for teachers and school leaders, and with good reason. It affects career choices, retention, and how schools plan. With a 4% rise confirmed for the next academic term, 20

Teaser

Teacher pay scales for 2025–26 are changing, with a confirmed 4% rise across the board. From new starter salaries to leadership pay, discover what the updated scales mean for teachers, schools, and career planning.

Read more
Back To School: How To Set Up The Year For Success

Teaser

Education News

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD09YY

Summary

The start of a new academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenge. New timetables and faces are balanced with the realities of staffing, planning, and ensuring the school settles quickly i

Teaser

The start of term sets the tone for the whole year. From staff onboarding to curriculum planning and wellbeing, discover practical ways to prepare your school for success this September and beyond.

Read more
Inclusive classrooms start with Thrive-trained educators

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD07YY

Summary

Schools are under pressure. Behaviour issues are rising, pupil needs are more complex, and staff are stretched. In 2024, 18.4% of children in England were reported to have some form of special edu

Teaser

Need skilled staff for today’s complex classrooms? Thrive-trained educators from Teaching Personnel are ready to reduce disruption and support every learner.

Read more
Thrive in every classroom: How CPD with impact can boost your career

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD07YY

Summary

Today’s classroom is a busy, complex, and emotionally charged environment. Educators need to teach, support, manage behaviour, and connect with learners who may be carrying far more than their sch

Teaser

Struggling with behaviour or emotional needs in the classroom? Thrive CPD gives you practical tools to support every learner, especially those with SEND or SEMH.

Read more
The future of SEND support

Teaser

Education News

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD07YY

Summary

The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening th

Teaser

With EHCP reform, funding investment, and workforce development on the horizon, the future of SEND support is changing fast. This blog breaks down what schools need to know, and how to prepare.

Read more
Overcoming SEND staffing challenges in schools

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD07YY

Summary

In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet, staff shortages limit s

Teaser

Read more
Bridging the gap: Why SEND CPD matters for teachers

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD06YY

Summary

Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser

Are your staff prepared for the rising SEND needs in mainstream schools? Diagnoses are rising, but most teachers feel unprepared. Discover why high-quality SEND CPD is essential and how your school can upskill effectively without breaking the budget.

Read more
Pupils listening to teacher in classroom
Creating inclusive classrooms: strategies for success

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD06YY

Summary

In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser

With the number of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) rising, schools must take proactive steps to create inclusive learning environments. The National Audit Office (NAO) has highlighted the challenges in making mainstream schools more accessible, emphasising the urgent need for change. But while systemic improvements are necessary, educators can implement practical strategies today to support SEND pupils effectively.

Read more
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26

Teaser

Tips & Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD06YY

Summary

 How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26    As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch

Teaser

Struggling to make sense of SEND funding for 2025–26? Get clarity and strategy in our free SEND Funding Guide, packed with insights schools can use now.

Read more
company logo
Search