The Ultimate Guide to Acing Your IB Mock Exams

OK, let's talk about mocks. For many of you, this is the first time you've faced full-length papers under real conditions, and it can feel like a massive pile-up of pressure. You're juggling IAs, your EE, TOK, and now this. It's intense.

But here’s the secret: mocks aren't just a test and they shouldn't just be about the grade. They are your best opportunity to practice, to find your weak spots, and to make all the silly mistakes before they count towards your final DP score. Think of them as a dress rehearsal. Getting a question wrong now, or realising your calculator was in radians for the whole Maths paper, is a lesson learned, not a point lost.

Why Your Mocks Matter (More Than You Might Think)

It's easy to dismiss mocks as "just practice," but they can have a big impact on your final few months of IB. Here's why you need to take them seriously.

1. The Realistic Exam Experience

The IB Diploma doesn't just test your knowledge; it tests your stamina. Mocks simulate the pressure, the timings, and the mental fatigue of sitting multiple papers over several days. This is your chance to get used to that environment, so the real thing feels familiar, not terrifying.

2. The Ultimate Diagnostic Tool

You might think you understand a topic, but can you explain it under time pressure? Mocks give you a realistic and honest snapshot of your strengths and weaknesses. They pinpoint the topics and skills you need to focus your revision on.

3. Perfecting Your Exam Technique

Knowing the content is only half the battle. Mocks are where you practice your pacing, learn to break down questions, and master the command terms. It's how you learn to allocate one minute per mark and not spend 15 minutes on a 4-mark question.

4. The Big One: Predicted Grades

Let's be direct: your mock results may be a large factor in the predicted grades your teachers submit to universities. While mocks don't contribute to your final IB score, they are crucial for your university applications, especially for places like the UK and Europe. A strong mock performance can open doors.

How to Prepare for Mocks: A Step-by-Step Plan

Vague revision goals like "study Biology" are nearly worthless. You need a structured, active approach to make real progress.

Step 1: Master the Syllabus

Your subject syllabus is your map. Print or sketch it out. Go through it topic by topic and use a traffic light system: Green (I know this well), Yellow (I kind of remember this), and Red (What is this?!). The "Red" and "Yellow" topics are your revision priorities.

Step 2: Build a Realistic Timetable

Don't just list subjects. Break them down into smaller, manageable topics. Schedule these into "chunked" sessions in a calendar over several weeks. Be honest about how much you can do in a day, and schedule breaks to avoid burnout. Pro tip: tackle your "Red" topics when you have the most energy.

Step 3: Use Active Revision Methods

Simply re-reading your notes is the least effective way to learn. You need to actively engage your brain. Try these methods:

Past Papers Under Timed Conditions: This is non-negotiable. For many, it’s the best way to practice timing and technique.
Use the Mark Schemes: After doing a paper, use the mark scheme to understand exactly how the IB wants you to answer. You'll start to see patterns.
Active Recall: Use flashcards (digital or physical) to test yourself. Cover your notes and try to explain a concept out loud.
Essay Plans: For subjects like History or English, don't write out full essays every time. Instead, practice creating detailed plans. It’s a faster way to cover more ground.

The Lanterna Tip: Use the well-known Pomodoro Technique. Set a timer for 25 minutes of focused work on a single task. When it rings, take a 5-minute break. After four "Pomodoros," take a longer 15-30 minute break. It’s a game-changer for concentration.

Avoiding the Common Mock Exam Traps

We see students make the same avoidable mistakes every year. Learn from them so you don't make them yourself.

Mistake	How to Avoid It
Answering the Wrong Question	Listen to and read the opening instructions carefully so you know exactly which questions to answer - and which not to! You get 5-minutes reading time for a reason.
Misreading the Question	Underline the command term ("Discuss," "Evaluate," "Calculate") and key information before you even start writing.
Poor Time Management	Before you start, quickly scan the paper and assign a rough time limit to each question based on its marks. Keep an eye on the clock and stick to your plan.
Skipping Your Working	In Maths and Sciences, method marks are crucial. Show every step clearly, even if you think it's obvious. You get marks for the process, not just the final answer.
Premature Rounding	Keep full values in your calculator's memory until the very last step. Only round your final answer to the required number of significant figures.
Ignoring Feedback	Your mock grade is less important than the feedback. Go through every comment from your teacher. Your goal is to understand why you lost marks and create a plan to address this.

Managing Stress and Staying Sane

Feeling overwhelmed is normal, but it doesn't have to derail you. Your well-being is the foundation of your academic success.

Prioritise Your IAs: If you have a clash between studying for a mock and finishing an IA, prioritise the IA. Your Internal Assessments are also good predicted grade evidence and contribute directly to your final IB grade. Get them done and off your plate.
Sleep is a Revision Tool: Pulling an all-nighter is counter-productive. Your brain consolidates memories and learns while you sleep. Aim for 7-8 hours, especially the night before an exam.
Move Your Body: Even a 20-minute walk outside can clear your head, reduce stress hormones, and improve your focus. Don't stay chained to your desk.
Refuel Properly: Keep a water bottle on your desk and stay hydrated. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugary snacks that lead to energy crashes. Your brain needs good fuel to perform.

Remember, mocks are a checkpoint, not a finish line. Treat them as the learning opportunity they are, and you'll walk into your final exams with the skills and confidence to succeed.

IB mock exams are a critical dress rehearsal for your finals. They simulate real exam conditions, pressure, and timing, helping you identify knowledge gaps and refine your technique. They are also a major factor teachers use to determine your predicted grades for university applications.

First, don't panic. View your mock results as a diagnostic tool, not a final verdict. Carefully analyse teacher feedback to pinpoint weak areas. For a structured approach to improvement, a free Lanterna consultation can help you build a strategic revision plan to turn things around for the final exams.

Significantly. While they don't contribute to your final IB Diploma score, mock exams are one of the most important pieces of evidence teachers use to estimate your final performance. A strong mock performance can lead to better predicted grades, which are crucial for university admissions.

Effective revision goes beyond re-reading notes. Focus on active recall by doing past papers under timed conditions, using mark schemes to understand IB expectations, and self-quizzing. A Lanterna tutor, an expert IB graduate, can help you master these techniques for any subject.

Managing stress is key to performing your best. Create a balanced revision schedule with regular breaks, ensure you get enough sleep, and practice mindfulness. Feeling overwhelmed is common, and speaking with a Lanterna Student Success Expert can provide reassurance and a clear plan, reducing anxiety.

Lanterna’s IB consultation is a free, 20–30 minute online call with a Student Success Expert. It's designed for students and parents to discuss IB challenges, goals, and mock exam results, and to receive a personalised plan to improve grades and confidence.

Yes, it is completely free, with no obligation to purchase tutoring. Our primary goal is to provide valuable, expert guidance to IB families. You will leave the call with a clear understanding of priorities and actionable next steps for your IB journey.

Our Student Success Experts are specialists with deep knowledge of the IB programme. They are your first point of contact and are experts at understanding your unique situation, helping you create a strategic plan, and, if you're interested, matching you with the perfect tutor for your needs.

Our tutors are all high-achieving IB graduates who excelled in the subjects they teach. They provide personalised, one-on-one support to help you understand difficult concepts, master exam techniques, and build a targeted revision strategy based on your specific mock exam feedback for any subject at SL or HL.

After your call, you will have a clear, strategic plan for your next steps. If you feel that personalised support would be beneficial, your Student Success Expert can match you with an ideal tutor. If not, you will still have gained valuable, expert advice to implement on your own.