Everyone will at some stage in their life have wondered whether mock exams are worth revising for. This is most apparent when we are young and socialising with friends, gaming and social media all seem more pressing and, frankly, more appealing than revision. Especially mocks.
So many young people don’t feel the need to revise and prepare for their mock exams because while it is assessed, it is not often counted towards a final grade and therefore many deem it “irrelevant” or a waste of their time.
As so many people found out during the pandemic, mock exams can play a monumental role in determining a child’s grades and their path in higher education and employment.
Yes, there may be more flexibility on revising for the odd mock history test in year nine but regardless of what stage of their education they are at, we believe children should always strive to succeed and make the most out of every exam environment.
We know just how valuable mocks are so we are sharing guidance on what students and parents can do to make the most of these exams, from hiring an exam tutor to improving note-taking skills.
So what are the benefits of revising for mocks and hiring an exam tutor?
The opportunity to experience an exam environment
Going into an exam environment can be incredibly daunting for young people and the stress and unfamiliarity of exams can play a role in their overall performance. Revising for mocks and treating them like the real exam will ensure children have not only have the knowledge to do well but also gives them the opportunity to experience sitting an exam so they are mentally prepared ahead of the real thing.
Strong performance in mocks can set a child up for success
You never know when something might go awry during a final exam, whether that be a memory lapse on a hidden text a child thought they knew inside out or a global pandemic preventing exams from even going ahead. Revising for mocks will set your child up for success and ensure they have strong results to fall back on if they are unable to make the real exam or if something doesn’t go to plan on the day.
Prevents children from being caught out
Both parents and children will have heard a classmate say “I didn’t even bother revising” at some stage in the lead-up to exams. The likelihood is that isn’t true and there would have been an element of revision taking place behind the scenes, whether it was working with an exam tutor or cramming on the bus on the way into school in the week prior.
Even if a child’s peers really aren’t revising, it’s important to keep in mind that people have strong subjects and natural aptitudes towards specific areas so it may be that they have less need to revise given their knowledge of a subject is already strong.
Children shouldn’t be lured into a false sense of security by thinking nobody else is revising so they can forgo it too because that’s so rarely the case and the only people that lose out are those who genuinely didn’t revise.
Exam Tutors can help identify knowledge gaps
Preparing for mocks means a child can answer questions to the best of their ability, ensuring teachers, an exam tutor and parents all have a solid understanding of a child’s capabilities so they can address any knowledge gaps or weaker subjects in plenty of time for the real exam.
Should We Hire an Exam Tutor?
Almost every child will have areas of strength and weakness when it comes to approaching exams, just as they will have subjects they find easy (and challenging) so there’s always benefit in engaging an exam tutor to help address the weaker areas but it’s essential to find the right person for your child.
At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors we know every child is different and that each will have a unique learning style so whether your child is baffled by trigonometry or needs a helping hand approaching an unseen text in an English exam, our exam tutors will identify your child’s individual needs and devise a tailor-made programme of tuition to help them thrive.
What Other Techniques and Resources Are Available To Help with Mock Exam Revision?
School resources
If there’s an important exam coming up then one of the best resources for revision will almost certainly be a child’s existing textbooks as these will ensure all core elements of the curriculum have been covered.
Schools and teachers will also be on hand to answer questions and give guidance if students require additional support, both because they want the best for their pupils and because it reflects well on the school or university if academic performance is strong – so if there are any areas you feel your child could spend more time revising, a teacher will be glad to point you in the direction of the right textbook chapter or any additional learning materials to support revision.
Lesson Notes
Just as school and university resources will help support learning, so will a child’s own notes. In the months and weeks leading up to exams, effective note taking is enormously helpful as it allows people to manage and condense the information presented during lessons, lectures or meetings in a way that can be easily-retained for future use and can help provide clarity and structure when answering questions both in coursework and exam settings. We talk more about effective note-taking and tips to do so in this post.
Podcasts, Films & Books
While the likes of podcasts and TV can be a distraction during revision periods, there are a handful of shows that can help enrich learning and bolster a child’s knowledge in a light and engaging way. Not all children find reading textbooks and notes an effective way to revise so finding other materials such as podcasts, audiobooks or video content from a reliable source can support revision and help young people consume knowledge in a way that is easier to digest.
Additionally, some shows may provide additional context or insight beyond what’s been taught in lessons which can help elevate exam answers and inspire self-directed learning.
In summary, no matter how a child chooses to approach revision, preparation for mocks is always worthwhile, even if it’s not something anyone particularly looks forward to. From textbooks, to exam tutors to audiobooks, there are a number of tools available for children to help make revision as manageable and enjoyable as possible and ensure they are set up for success when full exams roll around.
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Useful resources:
Spotify’s “Revise” Playlist – students break down complicated revision subjects to their core components to support revision for GCSE & A Level exams.