Table of Contents
Introduction
Mock exams are a great way to help your child prepare for the 7 Plus and 8 Plus tests. At 7 or 8 years old, most children won’t have any experience of sitting a test under exam conditions.
Not only do mock exams help familiarise your child with the exam structure, but they gain the valuable experience of doing timed papers. Some of the Benefits of 7 Plus and 8 Plus Mock Exams include:
Getting Used to the Exam Structure
Knowing the material is one thing but being able to put theory into practice is another. Mock exams enable your child to experience first-hand, what it’s like to do an paper under test conditions. Mock examinations are set out in exactly the same way as a real exam, with sample questions, very similar to those that could be asked in the real test. Knowing what to expect from the structure of the exam will give your child an advantage in the lead up to the day.
Experiencing Test Conditions
Mock exams can help calm your child’s nerves about the final test
Most children have experience of class tests, but for most, the 7 or 8 Plus exam will be their first taste of what it’s like to sit a proper exam outside the classroom. The formal exam environment can take a bit of getting used to that’s why it’s a good idea to have your child experience a mock exam early. Not only do they help calm nerves, but they provide reassurance that the exam isn’t as scary as it sounds.
Improved Time Management
One of the most valuable skills to be gained from mock exams is time management. Your child will need to get used to answering questions quickly and moving on the next one immediately after. Mock exams can help teach your child to manage their time more effectively, especially if they come up against a challenging question.
Learning From Mistakes
Mock tests are the perfect way to improve exam performance
7+ and 8+ mock exams are a great way to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses. If the mock exam didn’t go quite to plan, it’s okay, there’s still time to learn from mistakes and put things right before the big day.
A Confidence Boost
If your child performs well in a mock test, their confidence will be higher going into the actual exam. Mock tests are a great way to show your child how much they’ve improved from when they first started studying for the test.
What to Expect From 7 Plus and 8 Plus Mock Exams?
The idea behind a mock exam is to make the test paper and the surroundings as similar to the actual test as possible. The questions that your child will be asked will be very similar to those that could be asked on the day. Similarly, the testing environment will be the same, with other children in the room, in a formal setting. Desks are usually laid out in rows, with spaces in between and an examiner will be present on the day as well. The mock exam will start and end at the exact time it should and children will be expected to complete the test papers within the allocated times.
How to Prepare for Mock Exams?
A good night’s sleep before the day of the test keeps your child alert
Preparation for mock tests should be the same as how your child is preparing for the actual exam. Hopefully, by the time your child sits a mock exam, they’ll be well into their study schedule and will already have a good grasp of the 7 Plus, or 8 Plus material. Some practical things to consider before the mock exam (as with the real exam), include:
- Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before
- Have a healthy breakfast that will provide plenty of energy
- Make sure that your child has all the materials they will need for the exam
- Ensure that you know exactly where the exam is being held and what time it starts
- Try to keep stress levels to a minimum on the morning of the mock test
When to Enrol Your Child For 7+ and 8+ Plus Mock Tests
Every child will have a different study schedule leading up to the exam, but it’s important that you don’t leave it too late before enrolling your child in a mock test. Mock exams can be very popular, so you should make enquiries early to avoid disappointment.
On the other hand, you don’t want to enrol your child for a mock exam before they’re ready. If your child doesn’t perform as well as they had hoped, they could become demotivated in the lead up to the proper exam.
At Exam Papers Plus, we recommend that children should take mock tests from October until the Christmas holidays. Doing a mock exam just before they take the real thing can help them focus and get into exam mode.
How Many Mock Tests Should My Child Do?
How many mock exams your child takes will depend on how much practice your child needs. If you feel that your child is on track, then you may want to enrol them in 1 or 2 mock exams. If, however, your child would benefit from further practice, you may want to enrol them in 3 or 4 mock exams so they enter the real exam with plenty of experience and confidence.
Having your child take a couple of mock exams will help you gauge their progress and identify any areas that need to be improved. This will help your revision be more focused and targeted in the final run up.
At Exam Papers Plus, we run our own 7 Plus and 8 Plus mock exams in London from October onwards. Be sure to keep your eye on this page for updates. These mock invariably sell out months in advance so we suggest booking early if you are interested.
Related post:
A Reading List for the 7 Plus English Exam
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