Why FI tutors believe in the power of mock exams

In this video, Tutors Ginny Bradwell and Sarah Wakefield explain exactly how taking a mock exam improves your chance of a pass. Based on years of teaching and watching students build exam technique, they discuss the way in which mock exams help students to apply their syllabus knowledge and put themselves in the shoes of the examiner.

The mock result does not matter – it’s all in the practice

Whether you pass or fail a mock exam, your chances of passing the real exam are the same. We’ve found that simply attempting the practice exam and experiencing exam conditions is enough to significantly boost your chance of a pass. We have seen this in every exam sitting for every qualification over the past 5 years. Our student pass rates show that by attempting two mocks, FI students are 78% more likely to pass the real thing – a stat that can’t be ignored.

Why do mock exams work?

Whilst the exam results speak for themselves, hearing from some of FI’s most successful students helps us to understand exactly why mock exams have this impact. CIMA prizewinner, Eleanor, explains that attempting mock exams allowed her to spot gaps in her knowledge, or instances where she had not read the question properly:

“Having three mocks with feedback really helps to cover a lot of the course and identify where my knowledge was lacking. Or indeed, where I had not read the question properly.”
– CIMA Prizewinner, Eleanor Tapia.

Eleanor achieved the highest mark worldwide at Operational Case Study. Read her full interview to learn more about her exam technique and study experience: How to become a CIMA prizewinner.

ICAEW Quilter prizewinner, Alison Gamble, who received this award for her Corporate Reporting ICAEW exam, whilst working as an apprentice for HW Fisher LLP says:

“I found mocks invaluable to my learning experience as they would either motivate me to spend more time on a particular area, or prove that I was on the right track.”

– ICAEW Prizewinner, Alison Gamble

 

Read her full interview to learn more about her exam technique and study experience: Meet Alison Gamble our ICAEW Quilter prizewinner

Using question practice to your advantage

Whilst simply attempting mock exams and experiencing timed conditions is proven to boost exam success, what you do after practising questions can make a real difference to your exam result. Mock exams can be a tool to identify which syllabus areas to focus revision efforts on.

Ali, who achieved an ACCA Gold Medal and the highest marks worldwide at Strategic Professional level, explains this key study technique:

“I attempted all questions in full, under timed conditions from the outset. Then, I’d give myself unrestricted time during the self-assessment phase to re-attempt segments and create notes.”
– Ali Ahmet, ACCA Gold Medal Prizewinner 

Rachel won the ACCA Gold Medal prize for her performance in her Strategic Professional level exams. She explains the important role question practice played in her exam preparation routine:

 

“I would write out notes in my own words, which would help me to absorb the information, and then practise all of the questions in the question bank, making sure to revisit any areas that I struggled with. Question practice is key to passing these exams and think it is essential to do at least one mock exam under timed conditions.”
– Rachel Ilott, ACCA Gold Medal Prizewinner

You can learn more about Ali’s and Rachel’s study techniques and experiences below:

Ali’s ACCA prizewinning exam experience

Rachel’s ACCA prizewinning exam experience

Significantly increase your chance of a pass with an online mock

Mock exams are available regardless of the qualification you study at FI.

• We include mock exams with all FI tuition and revision courses.
• We use the best markers in the business – many are real exam markers and therefore their feedback is invaluable.
• We schedule mock exam deadlines at the optimum time during your exam preparation phase.

If you are ready to book your next course, check the dates and prices at your local study centre or online study centre.

Standalone mocks are available for ACCA students as part of Question Based Days or Online Final Mocks.

AAT Online Mock Bank packages can be attempted at any time and anywhere.

We wish you the best of luck in your next exam.