
How can you prepare students for mock exams?
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.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Burgess Hill
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
English
Location
Burgess Hill
Description
Join TP Tutors – High Demand for 1:1 Tutors Across the South!Are you passionate about teaching but looking for a flexible, alternative setting beyond the traditional classroom? TP Tutors, powered by T
Reference
TUITION10
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Overton
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
English
Location
Hampshire
Description
Join TP Tutors – High Demand for 1:1 Tutors Across the South!Are you passionate about teaching but looking for a flexible, alternative setting beyond the traditional classroom? TP Tutors, powered by T
Reference
TUITION9
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Andover
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
English
Location
Andover
Description
Join TP Tutors – High Demand for 1:1 Tutors Across the South!Are you passionate about teaching but looking for a flexible, alternative setting beyond the traditional classroom? TP Tutors, powered by T
Reference
TUITION8
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Shoreham-by-Sea
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
English
Location
West Sussex
Description
Join TP Tutors – High Demand for 1:1 Tutors Across the South!Are you passionate about teaching but looking for a flexible, alternative setting beyond the traditional classroom? TP Tutors, powered by T
Reference
TUITION7
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£90 - 120 per day
Location free text
Huntingdon
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Huntingdon
Description
We are currently seeking experienced Teaching Assistants to work at our partnership schools in Cambridgeshire. This exciting opportunity offers flexibility, encompassing both day-to-day and long-term
Reference
TA.PE.DP
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cambridge PrimaryAuthor
Cambridge PrimarySalary
£163.00 - 238.18 per day
Location free text
Huntingdon
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
Huntingdon
Description
Supply Teachers!As the UK's Number 1 Education Recruitment Agengy, we are looking to add talented, Qualified Primary Supply Teachers to our flexible workforce across Huntingdon, Cambridge & Peterborou
Reference
FQTPEDP
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cambridge PrimaryAuthor
Cambridge PrimarySalary
£90.40 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Wellingborough
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Primary
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Make a Real Difference – Become a 1:1 Behaviour Support Assistant in Wellingborough!We’re looking for a dedicated and compassionate 1:1 Behaviour Support Assistant to join a warm and inclusive primar
Reference
Behaviour SA - Welly
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Northants & Counties SENAuthor
Northants & Counties SENSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Milton Keynes
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Milton Keynes
Description
Become a Tutor with TPTUTORS – Inspire, Support, and Transform LivesTPTUTORS is on the lookout for passionate, skilled tutors to join our expanding team. As student referrals increase, we’re working h
Reference
BG0507TUTOR
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Leicester
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Leicester
Description
Functional Skills Tutor – Maths & English (Level 1 & 2)Location: Leicestershire (in-person tutoring) Subjects: Functional Skills – Maths & English (Level 1 & 2) Rate: £20–£30 per hour (based on experi
Reference
BG0507TUTOR1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Bedford
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Bedford
Description
SEN Tutor – Bedford (Primary or Secondary) | £20–£30 per hourAre you a passionate and experienced SEN tutor looking to make a real difference?We are seeking a dedicated SEN Tutor to work with students
Reference
BG0507TUTOR2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionRelated posts

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish 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
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish 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
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish 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
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish 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
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Unpacking SEND reform: Where are we now and what’s coming next? A rapid rise in pupils diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, social, emotional, and mental health needs (including ADHD), as

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
What do schools need to know this term? Change is constant in the education sector, and this term is no different. From Ofsted and pay reviews, to structural shifts like RISE and curriculum refo
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The True Worth of Professional Exam Invigilation When schools and colleges across England and Wales prepare for examination periods, the pressure to maintain JCQ compliance while ensuring fair ass
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
With the Easter break and end of term coming up, it’s time to get your payroll sorted! Our Payroll team has outlined the key dates you need to ensure you receive your pay on time. Check out the ta
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The landscape of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is transforming. The number of pupils in the UK with special educational needs (SEN) has increased over the last five years. Toda
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
As Spring approaches, it's a critical date for many teachers in the UK who may be contemplating their professional future ahead of the February 28th resignation deadline. While teaching remains on
by
Adam Davies
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job