Some A-Level students have already completed their mocks, but for others they are swiftly approaching, and with them an increasing mountain of stress.

 

In years past, mocks were merely precursors to GCSEs and A-level external exams, but, due to the pandemic, for the past two years mocks have been the basis of students’ grades as they were not able to sit their national exams. This means that, not only are Year 13s understandably panicked about the potential of their mocks being used as their eventual grades, they are more overwhelmed than in previous years as they did not sit their GCSEs, making this their first set of formal exams since GCSE mocks.

 

Year 13 student Michaela Fiore says; “I have been quite nervous about these mocks as we all want to do well and be prepared in case our summer exams get cancelled like in the past few years.”

 

Although exam cancellations are unlikely at the moment, students still feel it would be foolish not to learn from the experiences of previous year students and are taking these exams much more seriously than they would have a few years ago. Positively, schools are taking extra measures, such as additional one-on-one sessions, to help lessen the students’ stress and keep them from feeling overwhelmed. The multitude of Year 13s in the UK are coping incredibly well under such tough, stressful circumstances. Good luck to any Year 13s for your upcoming mocks!