How to Use Save My Exams Mock Exams for Better Revision

Mock exams can feel intimidating, but they're one of the most powerful tools in your revision arsenal. The problem is, many students don't use them effectively and miss out on the benefits they offer.

Save My Exams mock exams aren't just random practice papers. They're crafted by subject experts to simulate exam conditions. They can help you identify exactly where you need to focus your revision efforts.

In this guide, I'll show you how to use Save My Exams mock exams for better revision – from initial testing to final preparations. By the end, you'll know exactly how to use mocks to maximise your exam performance.

Key Takeaways

• Save My Exams mock exams are full-length, exam board-specific practice papers. They're created by teachers and subject experts with instant feedback and detailed solutions.

• Use mocks at three key points: early baseline testing, mid-revision check-ins, and final exam practice, to track progress and identify gaps.

• The real value comes from thorough analysis after each mock. By reviewing answers and understanding mistakes you can adjust your revision plan accordingly.

• Combine mock exams with other Save My Exams resources. For example, revision notes, topic questions, and flashcards for a comprehensive revision approach.

What Are Save My Exams Mock Exams & Why You Should Use Them

Save My Exams mock exams are comprehensive practice papers. They're created by experienced teachers and subject experts who understand what exam boards are looking for.

These aren't generic practice questions. Each mock exam aligns with your exam board specification. It covers the same content, question types, and difficulty levels you'll face in your real exams.

You can complete mock exams online under timed conditions or download and print them for a more traditional exam experience. The platform provides instant feedback and detailed solutions. You don't have to wait days or weeks to understand your performance.

The system allows you to upload handwritten answers if you prefer writing on paper. This gives you flexibility while still benefiting from digital feedback and tracking.

Mock exams simulate real exam conditions from the comfort of your home. They help you build familiarity with question formats, time pressure, and the mental stamina needed for actual exams.

The detailed solutions don't just give you the right answer. They explain the reasoning, common mistakes, and alternative approaches. Each mock can become a learning opportunity, as a result.

When to Do Mock Exams During Your Revision

Strategic timing makes the difference between mock exams that help and those that just stress you out.

• Start with an early baseline mock, after you've covered most topics but before intensive revision begins. This identifies your starting point and highlights which areas need the most attention.

• Use mid-revision mocks as check-in points to assess progress and adjust your study plan. These help you see if your revision strategies are working or if you need to change approach.

• Final, pre-exam mocks should happen close enough to your real exams to be relevant. But leave enough time to address any remaining weak areas you discover.

Space your mocks appropriately. Doing them too frequently can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Doing them too infrequently means missing opportunities to track progress and make adjustments.

Allow sufficient time after each mock for thorough analysis and follow-up study. The mock itself is only valuable if you use the insights it provides.

How to Prepare Before Taking a Mock Exam

Know Your Specification & Exam Format

Use Save My Exams revision notes to consolidate your knowledge. Do this before attempting mock exams. These notes cover all specification content in clear, digestible sections.

Practice with exam-style questions and flashcards. This will familiarise you with different question types and command words you'll encounter.

Understand the exam format. Use our exam specifications to check the number of papers, time allocations and question styles. This helps you approach mocks with realistic expectations and a proper strategy.

Review past paper marking schemes and check grade boundaries. This will help you to understand what level of performance you're aiming for and how marks are typically awarded.

Create a Realistic Revision Timetable Including Mocks

Schedule mock exams at strategic points in your revision timeline. Don't just do them randomly when you feel like it or when panic sets in.

Block out sufficient time for each mock. Don't rush through them or squeeze them into inadequate time slots that don't reflect real exam conditions.

Schedule time immediately after each mock for analysis and follow-up study. This is where the real learning happens.

Plan what you'll do with mock results before you take them. Decide which topics you'll revisit, what resources you'll use, and how you'll track improvement.

During the Mock Exam: Best Practices

Save My Exams mock exams allow you to simulate authentic exam conditions from home. They give you control over your environment while maintaining the pressure and timing of real exams.

• Clear your workspace of distractions: turn off devices, and inform others not to interrupt you. The goal is to replicate exam hall conditions as closely as possible.

• Stick strictly to time limits: don't give yourself extra time or pause the clock for breaks. Real exams won't offer these luxuries.

• Practice proper time management: allocate time to different sections and question types, as you would in the actual exam.

• Use the same equipment you'll have in real exams. This includes the specific calculators, pens, and rulers - so nothing feels unfamiliar on exam day.

• Resist the urge to look up answers or check notes during the mock. The point is to discover what you actually know under exam conditions.

After the Mock Exam: Analysing Your Performance

Review Answers & Use Feedback

Save My Exams provides instant feedback. You'll get detailed solutions that explain not just the correct answers but the reasoning behind them.

Don't just check which answers were right or wrong. Read through the detailed explanations to understand where your thinking went astray.

Pay attention to alternative solution methods shown in the feedback. These might be more intuitive for your way of thinking.

Look for patterns in your mistakes. Are you making calculation errors, misunderstanding question requirements, or running out of time?

Identify Weak Topics & Question Types

Use your mock results to create a focused revision plan. Target your weakest areas rather than continuing to study topics you already know well.

Note which types of questions consistently trip you up. Perhaps extended calculations, essay questions, or data analysis tasks.

Follow up weak areas by practising additional topical exam questions. Try to complete more focused mock exams in those specific areas.

Don't ignore topics where you scored reasonably well but made silly mistakes. These represent easy marks you can secure with targeted practice.

Track Progress & Adjust Your Revision Plan

Save My Exams mock exams provide baseline grade predictions. They allow you to track improvement over time as you practice and develop your skills.

Compare performance across different mocks. See if you're improving in your target areas and maintaining performance in stronger topics.

Adjust your revision focus based on results. Spend more time on persistent weak areas while maintaining review of stronger topics.

Set realistic targets for improvement between mocks. Base these on the time and effort you can realistically invest.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Mock Exams

• Taking mocks too early, before you've covered sufficient content. This leads to unnecessarily low scores. It's discouragement rather than useful feedback.

• Skipping the analysis phase defeats the entire purpose. The mock itself isn't as valuable as what you learn from reviewing your performance.

• Treating mocks as just another practice exercise rather than serious exam simulation. You'll miss opportunities to develop proper exam technique and stamina.

• Focusing only on your overall grade rather than understanding specific mistakes and learning points. This limits the value you get from each mock.

• Doing too many mocks without sufficient time for analysis and follow-up study. This creates busy work without meaningful improvement.

• Not simulating proper exam conditions. This makes mocks less effective for building confidence and familiarity with exam pressure.

How to Combine Mock Exams with Other Save My Exams Resources

• Use Save My Exam revision notes to strengthen understanding of topics where mock exams revealed weaknesses. 

• Target your weaker areas by using our exam questions by topic. This allows focused practice on problem areas without repeating stronger topics unnecessarily.

• Incorporate our flashcards for a quick review of key facts, formulas, and concepts that you're forgetting under pressure.

• Use the Save my Exams Target Test feature to practice specific question types or topics that consistently challenge you in mock exams.

Create a revision cycle that alternates between content review using notes and flashcards, focused practice with topic questions, and comprehensive assessment through mock exams.

The key is using each resource strategically based on insights from your mock exam performances. This is better than using resources generically.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start doing mock exams before the real exam?

Start your first mock exam 6-8 weeks before real exams, once you've covered most content areas. This gives you a baseline and sufficient time to address weak areas. Your final mock should be 1-2 weeks before real exams - close enough to be relevant but with time to make final improvements.

How many mocks are enough?

Quality matters more than quantity. Most students benefit from 3-4 well-analysed mocks per subject - one baseline, one or two progress checks, and one final preparation mock. More can be helpful if you have time to analyse them properly, but fewer well-used mocks are better than many rushed ones.

What if my mock exam score is much lower than expected?

Don't panic - this is exactly why you do mocks. Lower scores highlight areas needing work before real exams. Focus on understanding mistakes rather than the grade itself. Use detailed feedback to create a targeted revision plan. Remember that mock exams often feel harder than real ones because you're still learning.

Transform Your Revision Strategy

Mock exams aren't just practice. They're diagnostic tools that show you exactly where to focus your remaining revision time for maximum impact. As an A-Level tutor of many years, I have seen the dramatic effects that the correct use of mocks can have on a student’s performance. They hone attention and memory in a way that’s hard to replicate. 

Save My Exams mock exams provide the structure, feedback, and tracking you need. This allows you to use this powerful revision tool effectively, rather than just hoping for the best.

The key is approaching mocks strategically. Use them at the right times and analyse results thoroughly. This allows you to adjust your revision plan based. 

Remember, the goal isn't to get perfect scores on mock exams. It's to identify and address weaknesses before they cost you marks in real exams.

Start incorporating mock exams into your revision routine now. You'll find yourself walking into your real exams feeling confident and prepared.