New mock exam service asks all the right questions

A new mock exam paper service to support students taking GCSE and A Level sciences, maths and computer science went on show for the first time today at BETT2017. Teachers can sign up here.

OCR has worked with teachers to develop an online ‘ExamBuilder’ service which will give users the chance to create unique exam papers for their students, free of charge.

A distinctive feature of the new service is that teachers can select individual parts of questions from an extensive archive to build bespoke tests on key topics, tailored to meet student need. ExamBuilder is designed to provide mock exams for both the old and reformed GCSEs and A Levels in the Sciences, Maths and in Computer Science.

'Mock' exams form an essential element in preparing students for success in exams. They can help students to build confidence through practice, particularly at a time of rapid qualification reform when fewer past papers are available.

Lee Knowles, science teacher at Verulam School, St Albans, said: “The ability to select both individual parts of questions and full questions from a bank of past exams is key to tracking progress on key topic areas.”

The realistic appearance of the exam papers generated by ExamBuilder also helps teachers to simulate exam conditions for their students.

Feedback from teachers involved in user testing has been positive and more than 800 teachers have already signed up for the new service. There is no limit to the number of staff at one school who can access ExamBuilder free of charge.

Nadine Malcolm, Head of Chemistry at Comberton Village College, Cambridgeshire, commented: “I think one of the best features is the dynamic cover page; it gives each exam paper a formal feel and also gives the students the opportunity to see what their exam paper will look like – a very worthwhile experience!”

Thanks to real teachers’ input and Hodder Education’s software, ExamBuilder is quick and easy to use. Live demos will be available throughout BETT2017 (25 to 28 Jan) at OCR’s stand (no G311) and at Hodder Education’s stand (no C116).

Find out more and sign up for ExamBuilder