The mocks included on your programme are an integral part of the journey. What you learn from a mock is far more important than the mark you score. The challenge of applying your knowledge followed by reviewing your attempt against the answers/marking scheme, and then reflecting on your performance is a vital part of learning. Maybe you realise that you didn’t understand a topic and you can now revisit it. Or perhaps you realise that you didn’t understand how to apply your knowledge to the question and therefore further question practice in an area is needed.
Self-marked mocks as a learning tool
Across the qualifications, pass rates are significantly higher for those who attempt all the mocks on a programme compared to those who don’t.
So, does it matter if a mock is marked for you by one of our markers, or if you self-mark?
There’s a benefit in having at least one mock marked by an external marker. This is because it allows you to view your performance through the marker’s eyes. But there are even greater benefits to self-marking and the progress you will make as a result.
- Self-marking provides you with immediate feedback, which is useful whilst the mock is fresh in your mind.
- Self-marking ensures that you look carefully at how marks are awarded and review this against your work. After all, you are aiming to pass an exam and this means you must know how the examiner awards marks.
- It’s good discipline to self-mark as part of your studying as this gives you a great chance to compare where you are now to where you want to be. This is turn gives you good information to inform next steps or tweak your performance.
It’s the self reflection that encourages improved performance. Having attempted a mock , reviewing your answer against the solutions and guidance will help you to see what you want to continue to do, what you need to change and what you should stop doing. It’s always helpful when juggling the demands of work and study to have that insight!
What are the benefits of self-marked mocks?
Once you have completed a mock and assessed your own work, you have a better understanding of where the problem areas lie. This helps you to target any questions that you have to your course tutor. On a First Intuition course, you can send questions to your tutor by email or address any problem areas directly on a call.
Not only that, think how good you’ll feel when you see that there are things that you were able to do this time, which you couldn’t do last time. Often, it’s hard to see how far you’ve come if you don’t reflect on your own performance.
Put yourself in the marker’s shoes
Finally, self-marking your mocks allows you to understand how markers view your work. If you can’t follow your workings or struggle with the structure of a written response, this can guide your next attempt. Whilst it may have made perfect sense in your head, often thoughts get lost in translation along the way. Marking an answer yourself gives you greater insight into what a good answer layout should be.
Whether you’re studying with First Intuition or not, learn more about mock exams and why they are the key to exam success.
Looking to book a mock exam?
AAT mock assessments and resources are available for AAT level 2, 3 and 4 units. Online mocks offer the opportunity to attempt a full mock exam with model answers and detailed explanations.
If you’ve bought our AAT Online or Online Live package then these mocks are already included.
ACCA students who sit two mock exams as part of their exam preparation are 45% more likely to pass the real thing. You can purchase a self marked mock, or a marked mock via the website to aid your revision.
Find more study tips and resources on the FI Hub.
