There are many reasons for students to sit mock exams in a formal way:
- Students understand the procedure of exams - entering the venue correctly and the rules and regulations around exams..
- Mock exams get students in to the right mindset and help with the preparation of final external exams.
- Mocks provide an opportunity for structured revision and plan in advance of real exams. Mocks encourage students to sit down and prepare.
- Mocks help students identify gaps in their knowledge which can be addressed by both themselves and their teachers before the external exams take place.
- Mocks mean students are prepared as they have sat a timed paper similar to the external exams that they will be sitting. This helps the students with their time management skills.
- Mocks help students cope with pressure and build confidence as they have experienced the situation before the external exams take place.
- For A-Level students mocks can help teachers give predicted grades which maybe used by UCAS or Universities.
- Prepares students for any entry exams for their desired career/study choices.
Timeline of Mock Exams at KS4 and KS5
Year Group |
Month mocks are sat |
Rationale for these exams |
|
10 |
April |
Students have covered two terms of GCSE content so it is important gaps in knowledge can be identified early.
Students need to start thinking about how External Exams are run so they understand the set up in Year 11. |
|
11 |
October |
Early in the Academic Year so teachers can assess what students have learnt in their first year of GCSE’s and interventions can be put in place.
This also focuses students’ motivation at the start of the year. |
|
11 |
January |
Students have now covered most content meaning students can sit a full set of mocks in each subject. This replicates what students will experience when they sit exams in the summer.
Allows students to target gaps from the October exams and measure their progress in them. Gives a realistic current grade. |
|
12 |
June |
Students will have covered a large amount of content in their A-Levels meaning a range of topics can be assessed.
This allows teachers to identify gaps ready for Year 13. And discuss starting intervention from the start of year 13. |
|
13 |
December |
Students have covered a large % of their A-Level content meaning they can sit a full set of mocks. This replicates what students will experience when they sit exams in the summer.
It also gives teachers time to identify gaps and put in place interventions ready for the External Exams.
|
