First: find out what your mock will cover
Ask your teacher which papers or specification topics are included, whether programming will be tested, the time available and which resources are allowed. A school mock may not cover the entire specification. Never assume it matches the final examination exactly.
Separate your revision into knowledge (for example CPU components), processes (such as converting binary) and application (such as tracing and writing algorithms). Plan some practice from all three.
A seven-day starting plan
- Day 1: make a topic checklist; attempt a short mixed quiz to identify gaps.
- Day 2: revise one weak theory topic using recall and worked examples.
- Day 3: practise a programming or algorithm topic without copying solutions.
- Day 4: revisit Day 2 from memory; try another problem.
- Day 5: attempt a timed group of original exam-style questions.
- Day 6: self-mark carefully and redo the question types you missed.
- Day 7: short retrieval practice, organise equipment and avoid a late-night cram.
If you have more time, spread this work over several weeks using the revision planner.
How to use a past paper properly
- Use the appropriate exam board and specification; check whether the paper is secure or publicly released.
- Attempt the questions independently, preferably under realistic timing.
- Use the official mark scheme to identify exactly what earned marks.
- List lost marks by topic and by skill, such as calculations, technical terms, application or time management.
- Return to the topic and attempt an original question on a later day.
Our past-paper directory links to exam-board sources. The questions in TutorSyntax are independently written and do not reproduce past papers.
How to react to your mock result
A total mark is only the start of the analysis. If your programming marks are weaker than your theory marks, put more time into trace tables, functions and testing. If you lose marks for vague comparisons, practise identifying two precise differences.
Next: exam technique and paper analysis tool.