Top Ten Tips to Ace Your Mocks and Real Exams (GCSE, AS & A Level)

1 Treat Your Mock Exams Like the Real Thing

One of the biggest mistakes students make is not taking mocks seriously enough. Mock exams use real exam-style questions, follow official mark schemes, and highlight exact weaknesses before the final exams.

Many top students use mocks to perfect exam technique, not just knowledge. If you revise properly for mocks, you reduce stress massively when the real exams arrive.

Revise as if your mock grade is final — because teachers, sixth forms and universities often treat it that way. Use exam resources available at tyrionpapers.com.

2 Revise Using Exam Board–Specific Papers (Not Generic Notes)

Every exam board has a different style:

• AQA focuses heavily on application and structured responses
• Edexcel often includes multi-step calculations and problem-solving
• OCR tests depth of understanding and clear explanations

Using generic revision notes alone is not enough. You must practise questions written in the exact style of your exam board. Let these be real past papers or topic tests from Exampro, ExamWizard or ExamBuilder.

Need topic tests or a customised mock paper based on selected topics (with worked solutions)? Contact Tyrion Papers or browse the resources on tyrionpapers.com.

3 Master the High-Weight Topics First

Not all topics are equal. Some are high-yield and you definitely need to know them thoroughly to get a good grade.

Examples of high-weight topics

• GCSE Maths: algebra, graphs, ratios, geometry
• GCSE Science: required practicals, calculations, data analysis
• A Level Maths: calculus, vectors, trigonometry
• A Level Biology: enzymes, genetics, respiration
• A Level Chemistry: mechanisms, equilibria, calculations

Start with topics that appear every year and carry the most marks. High-scoring students prioritise exam frequency, not comfort.

Note: Topic weighting varies by exam board — always match your revision to your specification and past papers.

4 Practise With Mark Schemes Open

This feels uncomfortable — but it works.

• Attempt a question
• Compare your answer line by line with the mark scheme
• Learn how marks are awarded, not just the final answer

This is especially important for:

• 6-mark and 9-mark questions
• “Explain”, “Evaluate”, and “Analyse” questions
• Long calculation questions in Maths, Physics and Chemistry

Mock and real exams reward exam language, not just knowledge. You can also compare your workings with solved solutions, model answers or worked solutions.

Tyrion Papers has worked solutions for selected resources, and you can request something specific if needed.

5 Use Timed Practice Under Exam Conditions

Knowing content is one thing. Applying it under pressure is another. For mocks, you should sit full papers under timed conditions, avoid pausing or checking notes, and practise writing clearly and quickly.

Many students lose marks simply because they run out of time or panic. Timed practice builds confidence and stamina.

6 Identify Weak Topics Using Topic Tests

Instead of re-reading everything, smart students:

• Use topic tests
• Track scores by topic
• Fix weaknesses strategically

For example, if you score:

• 80% in algebra
• 45% in trigonometry

You know exactly where to focus. This targeted approach is one of the fastest ways to boost mock exam grades.

Contact Tyrion Papers for topic tests or custom mock papers with selected topics.

7 Learn How Examiners Think

Examiners don’t guess what you mean — they mark what you write. Common mistakes include missing units, not showing working, writing vague explanations, and forgetting key scientific terms.

The best way to avoid this is by studying real mark schemes and examiner reports.

8 Use Predicted & Practice Papers Strategically

High-quality predicted and practice papers:

• Mirror the difficulty and structure of real exams
• Cover likely topics based on recent trends
• Expose gaps in understanding before mocks

They are especially useful when past papers are limited or overused. Tyrion Papers is working on making guess papers and predicted papers available for GCSE, AS and A Level. You can also practise shadow papers.

9 Review Your Mock Exams Properly

After mocks, don’t just check your grade. Instead:

• Analyse every lost mark
• Categorise mistakes (knowledge vs technique)
• Rewrite answers correctly
• Retest weak areas

This step alone can increase grades by 1–2 levels before the real exams. If you want a trained tutor to mark your papers and give you feedback, contact Tyrion Papers. We can mark your papers, grade them and suggest ways to improve your score.

10 Start Early — Even Small Daily Study Beats Last-Minute Cramming

You don’t need 8-hour revision days. What works best:

• 30–60 minutes daily
• Focused, exam-based practice
• Consistent review

Mocks are not about talent — they are about strategy and preparation. Start now.