Why Mocks Are More Than Just Practice Exams
Your IB Math mock exams aren’t just a rehearsal — they’re your best diagnostic tool.
They reveal not only what you know, but how you perform under pressure.
Too many students treat mocks like a one-time event. The key to growth is in what you do before and after the test.
With RevisionDojo, you can turn mock exams into a powerful system for analysis, feedback, and measurable improvement.
Quick-Start Checklist
Before your mock exams:
- Open RevisionDojo Exam Builder and create a full Paper 1 and Paper 2 set.
- Practice in Exam Mode with timed sessions.
- Review Notes and Lessons for your weakest topics.
- Use Questionbank to strengthen accuracy on problem types you missed.
- Analyze your results in the Progress Dashboard after each mock.
Step 1: Treat Mocks Like the Real Exam
Mock exams are only useful if you simulate the real experience.
That means:
- Same timing (90 min SL / 120 min HL).
- Same allowed materials (no internet, no open Notes).
- Same calculator rules.
RevisionDojo’s Exam Mode enforces these limits automatically, helping you build focus, pacing, and endurance for the real test.
Step 2: Start Early — Don’t “Cram” for Mocks
Cramming only reinforces surface understanding.
Instead, start preparing 3–4 weeks before mocks using a simple rotation system:
Week 1–2: Review major topics through Lessons and Notes.
Week 3: Practice Paper 1 questions (no calculator).
Week 4: Switch to Paper 2 and full exam simulations.
RevisionDojo tracks completion automatically so you can see progress each week.
Step 3: Use Exam Builder to Create Custom Mocks
The Exam Builder lets you generate balanced mock exams that match IB difficulty and topic weight.
Choose:
- Course level (AA or AI, SL or HL).
- Paper type (1, 2, or 3).
- Difficulty range.
- Focus areas (e.g., calculus-heavy, functions-based).
Each mock includes markschemes and time tracking, helping you prepare efficiently while targeting your syllabus gaps.
Step 4: Practice Smart Time Management
Most students lose marks in mocks because of pacing — not knowledge.
Use RevisionDojo’s Timer Analytics to track how long you spend per question.
If you’re spending 15 minutes on a single 6-mark problem, that’s your cue to move on.
Over time, this data helps you calibrate pacing until it becomes second nature.
Step 5: Review Using Markschemes Like an Examiner
After finishing your mock, resist the urge to glance only at your score.
Instead, study the markscheme line by line.
RevisionDojo’s annotated markschemes show:
- How examiners award method and reasoning marks.
- Common misconceptions.
- How to improve mathematical communication.
Learning to “think like a marker” can improve your grade faster than extra study hours.
Step 6: Identify Weak Topics Using Data
Once you’ve marked your mock, open your Progress Dashboard.
It displays your:
- Accuracy per topic.
- Average marks per paper.
- Improvement over time.
RevisionDojo automatically suggests Lessons and Questionbank sets based on where you lost the most marks.
This turns your weaknesses into a personalized study plan for the next few weeks.
Step 7: Rebuild Confidence With Targeted Practice
If your mock score was lower than expected, don’t panic — use it as fuel.
Focus the next 7–10 days on your lowest-performing topics.
For example:
- If you missed function questions → do 15 targeted ones in the Questionbank.
- If you struggled with calculus → rewatch the chain rule and optimization Lessons.
RevisionDojo tracks your new accuracy so you can see improvement fast — perfect for building momentum before finals.
Step 8: Use Reflection to Understand Mistakes
True progress happens when you understand why you made errors.
Use RevisionDojo’s Reflection Journal after each mock to log:
- Concept errors (“Didn’t recall formula for normal distribution”).
- Process errors (“Forgot to check domain restriction”).
- Psychological factors (“Rushed due to time pressure”).
These reflections help you fix root causes, not just symptoms.
Step 9: Re-Sit Your Mocks With Adjustments
After working on your weak spots for 1–2 weeks, reattempt the same mock.
You’ll often gain 10–15 marks simply from improved pacing and familiarity.
RevisionDojo lets you “reset” completed papers and re-track progress for direct comparison — visual proof of improvement that builds confidence.
Step 10: Keep the Mock Routine Going
Even after your official mocks, keep using this system monthly.
Each cycle of practice → review → reflection → retest compounds your performance.
By exam season, you’ll have realistic, data-driven mastery of timing, accuracy, and strategy — not guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many mock exams should I do before finals?
At least three full mocks, spaced 2–3 weeks apart, each followed by detailed review.
2. Should I do mixed-topic mocks or focus on one area?
Do both. Start with focused papers early, then transition to mixed-topic mocks closer to the real exam.
3. How do I stay calm during mocks?
Simulate conditions often enough that they feel normal. RevisionDojo’s repeated Exam Mode sessions train your focus under pressure.
Final Thoughts
Mock exams aren’t just tests — they’re feedback systems.
When used strategically, they help you measure progress, identify weaknesses, and practice under realistic conditions.
With RevisionDojo’s Exam Builder, Questionbank, and Progress Dashboard, you’ll turn every mock into a structured learning opportunity — not just another stressful event.
Call to Action
Start your mock exam prep the smart way.
Use RevisionDojo Exam Builder and Questionbank today to simulate real IB Math exams, track your data, and improve confidently before the final test.
