August 20, 2025
When preparing for GCSEs, A-Levels, or other UK exams, one of the most effective revision tools you can use is past exam papers. They allow you to practise real questions, understand the structure of the paper, and get comfortable with the style of the exam board.
However, simply completing past papers is not enough — many students fall into common mistakes that reduce the effectiveness of their practice. At MeritHub, we specialise in providing students with free access to past papers, mark schemes, and exam resources, so we’ve seen exactly where students go wrong.
In this guide, we’ll explore five mistakes students often make when practising past papers and share practical tips to help you avoid them.
Completing a paper is only the first step — the real learning happens when you review your answers.
The problem:
Many students mark their papers casually or skip the marking stage entirely. Without comparing answers to the official mark scheme, you risk missing the specific details examiners expect. Similarly, examiner reports (available from exam boards) reveal common errors and offer advice based on past performances.
The solution:
After each paper, check your answers against the mark scheme for that specific year and exam board.
Read examiner reports from official sources such as AQA or Edexcel.
Identify not just what you got wrong, but why. Was it a lack of detail, misunderstanding the question, or poor structure?
By regularly reviewing mark schemes and examiner feedback, you can align your answers with what examiners truly want.
Working through past papers without timing yourself might feel less stressful, but it doesn’t prepare you for real exam pressure.
The problem:
In actual exams, time is limited and every minute counts. Without practising under timed conditions, you may struggle to complete all questions in the given time, leading to rushed answers or unanswered questions.
The solution:
Set a timer for the official exam duration. For example, most GCSE papers are 1–2 hours depending on the subject.
Work through the paper without referring to notes — treat it as a real exam.
If you run out of time, review where you spent too long and adjust your approach next time.
You can find full GCSE Maths past papers and other subjects on MeritHub to recreate authentic exam scenarios.
Simply checking the mark scheme and moving on isn’t enough — you must dig into why mistakes happened.
The problem:
Without analysing errors, you risk repeating them. This is especially true for topics you think you “understand” but still lose marks on.
The solution:
Keep a “mistake log” — a list of questions you got wrong, with notes on why.
Categorise mistakes: content gaps, misreading the question, calculation errors, or poor time management.
Reattempt incorrect questions after a few days without looking at the original answer.
For example, if you consistently lose marks in GCSE Science data analysis questions, try focused practice using our GCSE Science past papers.
Many students revise while multitasking — listening to music, scrolling through their phone, or taking frequent breaks.
The problem:
This creates a false sense of preparedness. Actual exams are quiet, formal, and without distractions. If you’re used to a relaxed environment, you may feel anxious or distracted on the day.
The solution:
Find a quiet place and work without interruptions.
Sit for the full exam length without moving away from your desk.
Avoid using any resources that wouldn’t be available in the exam.
For realistic practice, download complete A-Level past papers and attempt them in one sitting.
Some students complete a paper once, mark it, and never look at it again.
The problem:
Learning is reinforced through repetition. Without revisiting past papers and questions, you may forget corrections and fall back into old habits.
The solution:
Schedule “review days” in your revision timetable to revisit previous papers.
Keep track of your scores to monitor improvement.
Combine past paper practice with other study tools like flashcards, mind maps, and topic quizzes.
MeritHub offers SATs past papers and other exam resources so you can keep your revision diverse and targeted.
Avoiding the five mistakes above will greatly improve your revision, but to truly master exam technique, consider these extra strategies:
Start Early – Begin past paper practice months before your exam, not just in the last few weeks.
Mix Question Types – Use both full papers and topic-based question sets to strengthen weaker areas.
Rotate Exam Boards – If allowed, practise with questions from other exam boards for broader exposure.
Master Command Words – Words like “evaluate”, “analyse”, and “justify” have specific meanings in mark schemes (Ofqual explains this in detail).
Track Your Progress – Use a spreadsheet or app to log your marks and identify improvement areas.
At MeritHub, our mission is to provide students with free, easy access to UK past papers, mark schemes, and exam resources. Unlike tuition services such as Merit Tutors, we focus entirely on exam preparation materials, making us a one-stop platform for students who want to practise smart.
Our resources cover:
GCSE Past Papers
A-Level Past Papers
11 Plus Papers
SATs Papers
By using our collection alongside the strategies above, you can take your exam preparation to the next level.
Past papers are one of the most valuable revision tools available — but only if you use them strategically. By avoiding these common mistakes, practising under realistic conditions, reviewing your work in detail, and making full use of mark schemes and examiner reports, you’ll walk into your exams with confidence.
Explore the full library of past papers and resources today at MeritHub, and start practising smarter, not just harder.
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