Mock exams: what to do with the results

The two weeks after mocks are the most valuable of the whole GCSE course, if they are used properly.

Get the paper back

Ask the school for the marked script, or the question-level breakdown. Look at three things: topics missed, method marks lost, and time management.

Sort the errors into three types

• Knowledge — did not know the method.
• Careless — knew it, made a slip.
• Time — never reached the question.

Each type needs a different fix. Careless errors improve with checking routines; time problems improve with timed practice; knowledge gaps need teaching.

Set two targets

One topic target and one technique target. "Confident with ratio" and "always show substitution steps". Two clear targets get acted on; ten do not.