1. You see real question styles

When using the text book exercises, the questions are often simplified and repetitive. Now this is certainly useful to drill down the method and get lots of experience in the basics…

However, you will likely open an exam paper and realise that these topics are not assessed in this way in the exam. Questions can often be asked in a way which can seem indirect and almost cryptic!

Practicing exam questions will ensure you know what to look out for to answer those questions without the stress - you will be surprised how simple it can be sometimes!

2. You will see a mix of questions

It is important to try complete past papers because you will see the questions switch from one topic to another and you will get used to being able to process changing topics.

It is all too easy when going through an exercise in your book to zone out and go on autopilot - there questions can be almost identical! By using an exam paper you are activating your brain in a way exercises in your book just won’t as you have to constantly keep on your toes recognising what the question to asking. This leads to much more effective revision.

3. You can track your progress using grade boundaries

It is so easy to lose track of what you know and what you don’t know and to even forget whole topics you have been taught!

Not to mention, class tests often use unrealistic grade boundaries that aren’t representative of the real exams so you can be left not really knowing where you stand.

I recommend doing past papers, marking them every time using the official mark scheme and then checking them against the grade boundaries (you can find these on your exam board websites).

This is the process to follow:

- Do past paper

- Mark using official mark scheme

- Record your score

- Record the topics you need to improve on

- Work on these topics using exam questions by topic

- Repeat

I promise you if you use this method your grade will increase!