5 Ideas on What to Do When Your Mock Exam Results Are Not What You Expected

Mock exam results can be a wake-up call. They’re designed to prepare you for the real thing, but when your results fall short of your expectations, it can feel discouraging. The good news? This is not the end of the road. Instead, it’s an opportunity to rethink your approach and make changes before the final exams. Here are five actionable ideas to help you improve your performance.

1. Identify What Went Wrong

The first step to improvement is understanding what didn’t work. Were there specific topics that tripped you up? Did you struggle with time management or exam technique? Go through your exam papers and look closely at where you lost marks. You may even want to have a conversation with your teacher to get a clearer perspective on your weaknesses and strengths.

Take note of patterns in your mistakes and be honest with yourself. Once you know where you’re going wrong, you can start to develop a plan to address those areas.

2. Create a Realistic Study Plan

Don’t simply resolve to “work harder”—that’s too vague. Create a structured and realistic study timetable, breaking your workload into manageable chunks. Be sure to allocate time for regular review and practice exams. Incorporating a variety of study techniques—such as active recall, spaced repetition, and practice papers—will make your study plan more effective.

3. Consider Seeking Additional Support

Sometimes, classroom learning may not be enough to overcome certain academic challenges. If your mock results have shown persistent difficulties in specific subjects, it might be time to consider supplementary tuition. Extra support can give you the personalised attention and targeted help you need to strengthen your understanding and boost your confidence.

This is where Greene’s College Oxford can make a significant difference. Greene’s offers flexible, personalised supplementary tuition designed to fit around your current school commitments. Our expert tutors provide tailored support to help you overcome challenges in subjects that may not be fully addressed at your current institution.

At Greene’s, supplementary tuition goes beyond just extra tutorials. You receive individualised guidance designed to help you achieve academic excellence. Whether you’re preparing for final exams, retaking A levels, or seeking to improve your skills in specific subjects, Greene’s flexible approach allows you to choose the level of support that best suits your circumstances and aspirations.

The supportive environment at Greene’s ensures that every student feels confident With options ranging from one-to-one sessions to hybrid learning models, Greene’s accommodates your schedule and academic goals, helping you get back on track

Your mock exam results don’t define you—they offer a chance for growth.

With the right support from Greene’s College Oxford, you can turn those setbacks into stepping stones towards academic success.

4. Refine Your Exam Technique

Good exam performance is also about technique. Many students underperform in mocks because they struggle with time management, question interpretation, or structuring their answers.

Practice answering past papers under timed conditions to simulate the real exam environment. After each practice session, identify areas where you can improve. Greene’s College Oxford can help you refine your exam technique with personalised guidance and feedback, ensuring you’re prepared for  real exam conditions.

5. Stay Positive

Mock exams are a learning tool, not a final judgment of your abilities. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by disappointing results, but remember that this is an opportunity to grow Maintain a positive mindset and see this as a point for further motivation.

Speak to people who support you—whether it’s friends, family, or teachers—and remind yourself that you have time to turn things around. With determination, the right plan, and the right support, you can achieve your academic potential.

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Greene’s College Oxford

Greene’s offers a full-time, university-style sixth form education, both in Oxford, England and in Estoril, Portugal – with academic oversight resting with the Oxford college. In Portugal, Greene’s is the first tutorial college and the foremost sixth form college in the Lisbon area. At Greene’s, students are taught and supervised by our outstanding educators and academics, all trained to deliver the very best education, and to guide students towards the highest grades – while maintaining the greatest regard for student welfare and wellbeing.

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