🎯 What Are IB Mock Exams?
IB mock exams are school-administered practice exams that simulate the final May or November IB exam sessions. These mocks follow the real exam formats—Paper 1, Paper 2, and in some subjects, Paper 3.
Mocks aim to:
- Mimic official exam conditions
- Gauge student readiness
- Provide grading aligned with IB rubrics
- Highlight weak areas months in advance
🎓 Why IB Mock Exams Are Essential for Diploma Success
1. ✅ Realistic Practice Under Pressure
Mocks mirror real exam duration, paper structure, and stress levels. Practicing in this environment builds stamina and confidence.
2. ✅ Identify Knowledge Gaps
Seeing where you lose marks on real-style questions shows what you need to relearn or revise.
3. ✅ Improve Time Management
IB exams are time-pressured. Mocks help students practice pacing, prioritization, and decision-making under pressure.
4. ✅ Feedback that Counts
Mocks are often graded using official IB rubrics, giving students genuine insight into their likely performance.
5. ✅ Internal Grade Predictions
Some schools use mock exam results to determine predicted grades, which are submitted to universities.
🧪 Mocks Across IB Subjects: What to Expect
Subject Group Mock Exam Format Group 1: Language A Paper 1 (textual analysis), Paper 2 (comparative essay) Group 2: Language B Listening, reading comprehension, written response Group 3: Humanities Essay-based questions, source analysis, structured response Group 4: Sciences Data-based questions, lab analysis, extended responses Group 5: Mathematics Problem-solving papers with increasing difficulty TOK Essay planning and practice presentations
📊 How Mock Exam Scores Predict Real IB Results
In most cases, mock exam scores fall 1–2 points lower than actual IB scores. Why?
- Students improve between mocks and finals
- Teachers mark mocks strictly (to simulate IB standards)
- Feedback helps guide focused revision
Still, if you’re scoring a 4 in mocks, that’s a warning sign. If you’re consistently at 6 or 7, you’re in a strong position.
🧠 How to Use Mock Exams to Your Advantage
Strategy Why It Works Review all mark schemes Understand what gets rewarded in each criterion Identify pattern mistakes Repeating errors shows where your habits need changing Rewrite weak responses Rewriting improves retention and writing fluency Use revision banks Focus on questions and topics where you scored lowest Ask for clarification Use feedback sessions to dig deep into what you misunderstood
💻 Use RevisionDojo to Maximize Your Mock Feedback
How RevisionDojo Helps:
- Scan your mock essay or exam script
- Get instant AI feedback with criterion-by-criterion grading
- Highlight underperforming sections
- Track progress over multiple mocks
Tools to Try:
Mocks aren’t just a test—they’re a learning opportunity.
💬 What Students Are Saying
“I scored a 5 on my mock and a 6 in the final exam—all thanks to fixing what the mock exposed.”
— M24 IB Candidate, Canada
“I treated mocks like the real deal and learned how to pace Paper 2 for History. I ran out of time before—never again.”
— HL History Student, UK
“RevisionDojo’s mock feedback showed me that my Bio answers lacked evaluation. I added it and jumped from a 4 to a 6.”
— IB Biology HL Student, Singapore
❓ FAQ: IB Mock Exams
Q1: Do mock exams count toward the final IB grade?
No—but they may impact predicted grades and teacher recommendations.
Q2: When are mocks usually held?
Typically in January or February of the final IB year.
Q3: Should I revise before mocks like for finals?
Yes—treat mocks like the real exam. They’re your best chance to make real improvements.
Q4: Can I get feedback for my mocks online?
Yes—platforms like RevisionDojo offer digital grading and annotated mock review.
Q5: What if I do badly in my mock?
It’s a wake-up call, not the end. Use it to identify weaknesses, then target those areas in revision.
🚀 Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Take the Mock—Learn from It
IB mock exams aren’t just practice—they’re a preview of what’s to come. The smartest students don’t just take them—they study them, analyze the feedback, and make real changes before it’s too late.
🎯 Use mocks to simulate, learn, and succeed—with smart revision tools like those at RevisionDojo.com
