How to Use the Save My Exams Target Test Tool

When you’re in the throes of revision, it can be difficult to know what topics to study. The Save My Exams Target Test tool takes the guesswork out of exam prep, giving you a focused, personalised snapshot of exactly where to put your energy so you can walk into your exam feeling ready.

This overview will show you how to use Target Test to supercharge the productivity in your revision sessions.

Key Takeaways

• The Target Test is a topic-specific practice test designed to identify your weak spots quickly.

• It helps you stop wasting revision time on topics you already know and focus on the areas that will gain you the most marks.

• The more Target Tests you complete, the clearer your revision priorities become.

What Is the Save My Exams Target Test?

The Target Test is a tool that allows you to create a custom test that’s focused on specific topics in your course. You get to choose:

• The topic(s)

• Question difficulty - easy, medium, hard

• Question types

  • Multiple-choice, short response, calculation, diagram-based, extended response

• Time limit

Instead of working through endless questions on everything at once, a Target Test zooms in on the areas you want to assess. This makes it much easier to spot exactly where your knowledge has gaps.

You could think of it like a health check for each topic. It shows you what's healthy, what needs some attention, and what needs urgent treatment before exam day.

Where to Find the Save My Exams Target Test

You can find the Target Test resource in the study tools drop-down in the top menu bar of the platform - this is a great place to navigate to if you want a general overview of the tool. You can also find it inside your course pages on Save My Exams. 

Once you're logged in, navigate to the relevant subject, and look for the Target Test option within that section.

Here are a few things worth knowing:

• Which subjects and levels: Target Tests are available across a wide range of GCSE, IGCSE, A Level, IB, and AP subjects on Save My Exams. 

• Where it appears: Target Tests sit within individual subject pages.

• Before it appears: You should be able to access Target Tests as soon as you open a subject page. No prior activity is needed.

How to Find Target Test for GCSE Biology

Let’s say you’re struggling a little in GCSE Biology. Here’s what you can do to find the Target Test.

1. Head to the GCSE Biology course page.

2. Make sure you select the exam board your school uses.

3. Find the Target Test option and click on it.

4. You’ll be taken to a page where you can start building your test.

It’s that easy to find!

How the Target Test Works

A Target Test allows you to create an assessment that is personalised to the exact topics and question types you want to practice.

You work through the questions, submit your answers, and the tool immediately marks your responses and shows you your score.

Here's the basic flow, using the GCSE Biology example we looked at earlier:

How to Use the Target Test to Improve Your Revision

Getting a score is just the start. Here's how to actually use your Target Test results to revise smarter.

Act on Your Score Straight Away

If you score well, this is fantastic. Make a note and move on to the next topic.

If you score poorly, don't just close the tab. Use that result as a signal to revisit the topic. You could choose to do one or two of these things, depending on the way you like to revise:

• Head to the Save My Exams revision notes for that area and study the key concepts.

• Take a look at the flashcards for the topic you’re struggling with. 

  • Practice using active recall techniques on your own or with friends.

• Draw a mind map to try and visualise how you connect the key concepts across the topic you’re struggling with.

• Do a mixture of all of the above!

When you’re ready, set up a new Target Test focusing on your chosen topic to see if you’ve improved.

Next steps: Explore our comprehensive revision techniques article for more ideas to keep your study sessions engaging and productive.

Prioritise Low-Scoring Topics

It's tempting to keep testing yourself on topics you're already good at. It feels good to get high scores, but it won't improve your exam performance.

Instead, use your Target Test results to build a hit list of weaker topics. Tackle those first and watch your marks increase.

Use Results to Plan Your Study Sessions

Before each revision session, check which topics you've recently scored lowest on, and use those results to set your agenda for the day.

For example, if you're revising A Level Chemistry and your Target Test shows you're struggling with Equilibrium, but you’re nailing Atomic Structure, your next session should be all about Equilibrium.

Next steps: Why not download the free weekly revision timetable (opens in a new tab) from Save My Exams? This will help you plan your study sessions, so you know you’re focusing on what really matters.

Using the Save My Exams Target Test Tool: A Real-Life Example

Imagine you're preparing for your GCSE English Literature exam. You run a Target Test on An Inspector Calls and realise you're confident on the plot but shaky on the themes.

You now know what to do: 

• Open the Save My Exams notes on An Inspector Calls themes

• Spend 20 minutes reading and making notes

• Draw a mind map exploring and linking the themes

• Re-run the Target Test to see if your score improves

That's revision with a purpose, and it's far more effective than just re-reading your textbook from cover to cover.

5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Target Test

1. Use it at the start of a topic. 

• Running a Target Test before you've revised something is a great way to find out what you already know and where to focus your learning from the start.

2. Come back to it regularly. 

• Don't just do a Target Test once and forget about it. 

• Topics you were strong on in October might feel shakier in January if you haven't revisited them. 

• Use Target Tests as regular checkpoints throughout your revision.

3. Combine it with Save My Exams revision notes and flashcards. 

• Target Tests work best as part of a wider revision routine. 

• Use them to identify gaps, then fill those gaps with the revision notes and flashcards available on the platform.

4. Don't skip the review step. 

• After completing a test, always read through the correct answers, even for questions you got right. 

• Understanding why an answer is correct is just as important as getting it right.

5. Avoid the habit of retaking immediately without revising first. 

• If you get a low score, resist the urge to just redo the test straight away. 

• Go away, revise the topic properly, and then come back. That way your improved score actually means something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Save My Exams subscription to use the Target Test?

You can create an unlimited number of Target Tests if you have a Save My Exams paid subscription. If you're currently on a free account, you’ll have limited access to this feature.

Is the Target Test available on mobile?

Yes. You can access the Target Test on any device with a web browser, including smartphones and tablets. 

How many questions does a Target Test include?

Target Tests are designed to test your knowledge of a specific topic. The number of questions in each test depends on:

• The types of questions you’ve selected (e.g.: extended response vs multiple-choice)

• The time limit selected

Can I redo a Target Test?

Yes. If you have access via a paid subscription, you can retake Target Tests as many times as you like, which makes them great for tracking your improvement over time. 

Making the Most of the Target Test Tool

Scatter gunning your revision and studying whatever you feel like on any given day isn’t an effective exam preparation strategy. Instead, using the Save My Exams Target Test tool gives you a clear plan that shows you exactly what you need to revise.

Every time you complete one, you're making a smarter decision about how to spend your revision time. And those smarter decisions add up. Over weeks and months, they build into real confidence, real knowledge, and real results.

So next time you sit down to revise, don't just open your textbook and hope for the best. Run a Target Test first. Find your weak spots. Fix them. Then move forward. Good luck!