No matter what one says – mock tests are always important. Especially when it comes to self assessment – meaning to identify your own strengths and weaknesses. Let’s have a closer look:
Mock tests are basically simulated exam papers, based on the pattern of the actual exam that you are going to appear in. Attempting mock tests – especially starting from a couple of months prior to the actual exam, can help one’s preparations on multiple fronts. For example, not just such tests will provide you with good practice; but they can also serve as a barometer of your abilities.
Mock tests can fetch the first real feel of the examination. Of course the pressure will be less considering you will be aware of the fact that mock tests are not actually real. Nonetheless; for maximum benefits, you must take these tests seriously. Simulate your PoA (plan of action) in precisely the same way as you would do in the real exam. This essentially means that no cheating – no copying – no referring to your notes or texts (doing so would pretty much ruin the very objective of mock tests).
Also, it’s not like that you need to spend the entire day attempting mock tests. With the Board exams approaching, we understand that spending too much time on attempting mock tests for entrance exams can be counterproductive. Revisions are important – therefore, try and make a place for these mock tests in your everyday study schedule. Also, even though you sit in a lot of mock tests in your coaching institute or private tution, make it a point to self evaluate your preparation by sitting in mock tests at home.
Here’s an excerpt from one of our previous articles on How to balance between Boards and JEE Preparation (please note that although the article specifies JEE Main, the tips and tricks mentioned there are applicable to all entrance exams ) – CETs , Engineering , Medical , UPSC Etc
“(For maximum benefit), spend at least one hour to 90 minutes every day for solving these objective type questions. While doing so, ensure that you solve at least 20 questions from two minimum subjects. For example, if you solve 20 questions from Physics and Mathematics each on Monday, spend the next day solving 20+20 questions from, let’s say – Chemistry and Physics.”
However, just appearing in these mock tests won’t help you much. You also need to evaluate your performance in these tests in order to identify your strengths and weaknesses. In the same article, we gave an overview of how to go about that task:
“Spend another hour or so analyzing your performances on these mock tests. It’s important that you do this step very carefully because without properly analyzing your strength and weaknesses, you won’t be able to progress much in your preparations. The more you are familiar with your weaknesses and strengths, the better you will be able to streamline your preparations for the boards to eliminate those.”
(C) SuccessCDs.net