Mock exams are useful progress checks that also help you get a feel for what taking your actual exams might be like, so you should always try to attend every exam. However, sometimes you might miss a mock exam for reasons outside of your control, so what happens?
If you miss a GCSE mock exam, generally you will get to resit the exam at a later date. These exams have no bearing on your actual GCSE results. The main purpose is to provide you and your teachers an idea of your current level and areas to improve in preparation for your final GCSEs.
If you miss a mock exam for reasons outside of your control, such as an illness or pre-arranged appointment, then there are steps in place to help you, so continue reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
What happens if you miss a GCSE mock exam?
You should always try your best to attend every exam, but sometimes you may not be able to for circumstances that are outside of your control. If this is the case, you don’t have to worry – your school will work with you to make sure you can eventually sit the exam.
If you miss a GCSE mock exam for extenuating circumstances, you should contact your school as soon as possible to let them know you won’t be able to sit the exam. In most cases, you will be allowed to take the exam at a later date. When you do this will be made clear to you by your school.
This process is similar for your actual GCSE exams – the exam process is replicated as closely as possible during your mocks. If you’re worried about what might happen if you miss an actual GCSE exam, you can find out more in this Think Student article.
Missing an exam, whether an actual exam or a mock exam, can be stressful but your school will try and make this process as simple as possible for you. Make sure to check information you receive about exams regularly.
Will you be penalised for missing a mock exam?
While missing a mock exam is not ideal for anybody, you won’t be penalised for missing the exam if the reason was out of your control. This could be, for example, because you were too unwell to go into school or had a pre-arranged appointment before information about mock exams was released. If you sit a mock exam after you missed it originally, you shouldn’t be penalised in your mark or grade either.
If you missed a mock exam due to circumstances within your control, such as refusing to sit the exam or having attended school but not the exam, you may be penalised by your centre. However, this will usually be in the form of a penalty such as a detention. You may be awarded 0 marks on the exam that you missed.
Do your GCSE mocks matter?
GCSEs are a core part of education in the UK, and you can read about their importance in this Think Student article. Even though your GCSE mocks don’t count towards your actual GCSE exams, mocks are important for both students and teachers. You should always take mock exams seriously and prepare as you would for your actual GCSE exams.
GCSE mock grades are helpful for your teachers and you as the exam-taker, as a way of measuring your progress. They can also be useful in showing you areas of your subject that you might need to revise more, when you receive exam feedback. For tips on revision for exams, you can check out this Think Student article.
Your GCSE mock exams will also follow standard exam regulations in order to simulate actual GCSE exams, so if you’re unsure about the processes involved in taking an exam, mocks are good practice. Mocks will ensure that you are in the best position for when your GCSE exams begin, so you should always try to attend every exam, even if you feel that you might not do particularly well.
When are GCSE mock exams?
During your GCSE studies, there are 2 sets of mock exams. The first set of mocks are during the Summer term of Year 10, and the second set are during the Autumn term of Year 11. The exact dates and times of mock exams will vary between schools, but your school will always provide you with the necessary information in advance. Below the different mock exam periods will be discussed in more detail.
When are Year 10 mock exams?
Year 10 mock exams usually take place from late June to mid-July, but the exact date depends on your school. These are the first set of mock exams that you’ll sit. They are important because they are the first time you will be exposed to the official exam environment.
When are Year 11 mock exams?
Year 11 mock exams usually take place from November to December, but like Year 10 mock exams, the exact date will depend on your school, so make sure to stay up to date with the information provided to you. These exams are more important than the Year 10 mocks, because they are the last major assessment you will complete before your actual GCSE exams.
What happens if you fail a GCSE mock exam?
Even if you attend all your mock exams, you may not always achieve a passing grade. Thankfully, the only grades that mock exams impact are your target grade – failing a mock exam has no bearing on the final grade you receive on your GCSE certificate.
While mocks are important exams, they don’t affect your GCSE grade. The main use of mock exams is to show you and your teachers what grade you are currently working at, and how you perform in exam conditions. If you fail, don’t worry – your teachers will help you identify the main issues in your performance and what you can do to improve. Check out this Think Student article to find out ways to help you prepare well for your mocks.
One of the most important parts of any exam period is your mental health – the Guardian reports that 87.7% of students across the UK have reported feelings of anxiety or depression. Exam failure can impact on your mental health, even if it isn’t obvious. If you find it difficult to cope with exam failure, you can check out tips in this Active Minds article.
Do you have to retake your GCSE mock exams if you fail?
Retaking your GCSE mock exams, even if you fail, isn’t compulsory. This is because failing a mock exam is considered your responsibility. If there are contextual factors as to why your performance in an exam might have been affected, your teachers might take them into consideration when marking.
If you want to retake your mock exam, you should discuss this with your school, and they may be able to arrange a retake for you. But, even if you can’t retake a failed mock exam, don’t panic – there will be other opportunities for you to improve, even if you failed a Year 11 mock exam.