Why Take Mock Tests Before Exams? Get Your Answers!

What are mock tests really?

Mock tests are examinations that students write to prepare themselves for various entrance examinations.

Nowadays, giving entrance examinations is mandatory if a student wishes to obtain a job in a certain sector, like Railways, Defence, Government Jobs, or the Education sector.

Depending upon the industry one wishes to secure a job in, entrance exams can be attempted after 10th/12th/grade/after graduation or post-graduation.

Before one appears for the actual entrance exam, there are test series for entrance exams that can be given. They can be given online or in person. These test series help one be prepared for the actual exam.

These test series are also called as mock tests or mock exams.

Why are mock tests important before appearing for the actual exam?

Mock examinations help students know more about the pattern of the question paper they will attempt during various entrance examinations.

Many websites provide students with the opportunity to attempt free mock examinations online from the comfort of their home.

There are also free career guidance tests available online that help you understand the kind of career options you can choose based on your interests and skills. There are psychometric tests -- which test intelligence, interest and over all see if your personality fits the career options you may have in mind. It's a good idea to opt for these tests if you are confused about which career options you wish to choose.

Types of Mock Examinations

Paper-Based Mock Examinations: Paper-based mock examinations require students to write down answers on a sheet of paper within a specified time frame.

Online Mock Examinations: Due to the growing popularity of the Internet, online mock examinations have become common. Online mock examinations help students attempt exams from their laptop, PC, or other electronic devices.

Here are some popular free online mock test series that many students appear for :

• Mock test series for railways

• Mock tests for teaching

• Mock tests for Government jobs or state exams

• Mock tests for Defence or the entrance tests to get into the Indian Army

• Test series for banking and insurance jobs

  If you wish to have more information and check these free online mock test series for different entrance exams, you can click here

Benefits of online mock examinations

These are the benefits of giving online mock examinations:

• **Students can choose a time slot of their time:**While giving online mock examinations, students can choose a time slot according to their preferred time and date.
• **Instant feedback:**Students can receive feedback on their performance instantly, like in the case of multiple-choice questions.
• Online tests can be accessed from any device: Learners can access online mock examinations from any device like a laptop. They can view their performance in all their examinations using one single log-in ID and password.

The importance of mock examinations

Mock examinations can benefit students in multiple ways:

• **Mock tests help analyse performance:**Students can analyse their current performance by giving mock examinations. For example, a student may score a B grade in a mock examination. This helps the student know that there is scope for improvement, and the student can now start working towards an A or A+ grade.

• **Mock tests help students track time:**While sitting for an examination, a student will have to complete the exam within a specific number of hours. Mock examinations help learners know whether they are able to complete examinations within the duration allotted to them. They can work on their time management skills through strategies like answering the questions of the topics they are well versed with first.

• **Mock tests help track progress:**When students attempt a series of mock tests, they will know whether they are progressing over time.

• **Mock tests are designed by experts:**Since mock tests are designed by experts, the scores of a student on these tests also show what a student's actual performance on a test will be.

• **Mock tests can be resolved:**Unlike actual examinations, mock examinations provide a student with the opportunity to go through the questions they could not answer. Students can correct their mistakes and get any doubts cleared before the day of the final examination.

• Students can know their strengths and weaknesses: By completing mock examinations, students can identify their strengths and weaknesses.

  Students can choose between industries like railways, Defence, teaching, SSC, etc. while choosing a career path for themselves after completing 10th/12th grade/graduation/post-graduation:

  Here is a list of entrance examinations where taking a mock test will help students be better prepared for the actual examination:

• Railways

  Eligibility: Depending upon the examination, candidates must either have a bachelor's degree or completed their 10+2 years of education. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and pass the medical examination.

  Railway mock tests include Railway Group D, RRB ALP and the RRB NTPC mock tests.

• The Railway Group D test screens candidates for positions such as track maintainer or pointsman.

• The RRB ALP test stands for the assistant loco pilot position.

• The RRB NTPC test stands for non-technical popular categories like goods guard and senior clerk cum typist.

  There are free mock tests for railways.

• Teaching

  Tests to enter the teaching/education industry include TET (teacher eligibility test) and DSSSB PRT (Primary teacher) mock tests.

  Eligibility:

• For TET, students must have completed their bachelor's degree with more than 50% marks.

• For DSSSB, students must possess a degree/diploma in training education or a bachelor's degree/completed their secondary school exam.

  The TET test is held by both the central and the state governments to shortlist teachers for schools and colleges. There are two papers-Paper 1 and Paper 2 in TET.

• Paper 1 is for teachers who wish to teach primary school children.

• Paper 2 is for teachers who wish to teach upper primary level students. (Class 6-Class 10)

  DSSSB stands for the Delhi Subordinate Service Selection Board. It invites applications for posts such as Trained Graduate Teacher and Assistant Teacher. (At the primary level)

  There are free mock tests for teaching.

• SSC

  Eligibility: The eligibility varies for different posts, but all candidates must be Indian citizens. They must have a matriculation certificate.

  The Staff Selection Board examinations help individuals secure jobs for Group B and Group C posts. Examples of jobs include Inspector of Income Tax, Junior Statistical Officer, Tax Assistant, and Accountant.

  The SS JE mock exam is for people who wish to secure a job as a Junior Engineer. Other SSC exams include the following:

• SSC GD Constable

• SSC CPO (Inspector and Sub-Inspector posts)

• MP Patwari (for the post of Patwari in various departments)

• SSC MTS (multi-tasking staff

• IB ACIO exam (Intelligence Bureau Assistant, Central Intelligence)

• SSC JHT (Junior Hindi Translator)

• SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level Examination)

• Delhi Forest Guard

• Rajasthan Patwari

• Building Material and Concrete Technology

• SSC Stenographer.

• Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and Matriculation Level 2020 mock exams

  There are free mock tests for SSC.

• Defence

  Eligibility: Candidates must be physically and mentally fit. The minimum educational qualifications vary according to the post. The examinations are required for students who wish to join the Air Force, enter the Navy, become a CISF constable, etc. (CISF constables are in charge of Public Undertaking Companies)

  There are free mock tests for Defence.

• Banking and Insurance

  **Eligibility:**Candidates must have a bachelor's degree.

• The banking and insurance mock examinations include IBPS, SBI, RRB Officer, NIACL AO, and LIC assistant mock tests.

• The IBPS test stands for Institute of Banking Personnel Selection. This examination can help people secure roles such as assistants.

• The SBI examination is held by the State Bank of India and individuals can apply for job roles such as Customer Support Associates after appearing in the exam.

• The IBPS RRB Officer exam is for candidates who wish to join the Regional Rural Bank.

• NIACL AO: NIACL stands for new India Assurance company. AO stands for administrative officers. The company appoints eligible candidates for various roles.

• The officials of LIC conduct the LIC assistant examination. Assistants perform multiple duties like managing cash counters and performing accounts-related work.

  There are free mock tests for banking and insurance.

• GK and Current Affairs Mock Tests

  GK and Current Affairs are a part of many entrance exams that students give after completing 12th grade.

  There are free mock tests for GK and current affairs.

• State Exams

  Eligibility: Educational qualifications vary according to the state examination.

  The state examinations include the following examinations:

• Delhi Police

• UPPCL (Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited)

• BPSSC (Bihar Police Sub-Ordinate Services Commission)

• HSSC (Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation Limited)

• PSPCL (Punjab State Power Corporation Limited)

  The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation offers jobs such as assistant engineers. Delhi Police offers jobs such as Constable and sub-inspector. HSSC offers jobs such as clerks and typists. BPSSC recruits for jobs such as police sub-inspectors and sergeants. PSPCL recruits for posts such as junior engineers and revenue accountants.

  There are free mock tests for state examinations.

Other Government Examinations

Eligibility: Candidates must have a bachelor's/post-graduation diploma/degree as per the specific government examinations.

The other government examinations include the following:

• NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development)

• Food Corporation of India

• Central Warehousing Corporation

• CIL ME (Coal India Management Trainee)

• ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)

  NABARD recruits for job roles such as consultants and customer service officers. The Food Corporation of India recruits for positions such as assistants and managers. The Central Warehousing Corporation recruits for jobs such as general managers and executive engineers. The Indian Space Research Organisation recruits candidates for roles such as engineers and chief controllers.

  There are free mock tests for other government examinations.

Tips to follow while appearing for mock examinations

So, you have decided to appear for a mock examination. What are some tips that you should keep in mind to maximise your performance? They have been listed below.

• **Make sure you sit in a quiet, comfortable space:**The room in which you write your mock examination must be quiet and comfortable. It must be completely free from any distractions like electronic devices.
• **Keep track of time:**You must have a watch with you while writing your exam. It will help you allot a specific amount of time to each section of your question paper.
• **Know the marketing/grading criteria beforehand:**You must be aware of the marketing/grading criteria before appearing for the mock examination.
• **Analyse where you went wrong before writing a mock exam:**Giving one mock test after another on a single day can be detrimental to your progress. Complete one mock examination and analyse any errors before giving the second, third, and subsequent mock examinations.

Conclusion

It is time to start preparing for your entrance examinations. We hope that you discovered mock tests that can help you prepare for them. Best of luck!