📝 The Power of Exam Practice:

In Today’s Email:

• Why Past Papers Are Essential

• Cracking the Code: Understanding Command Words

• How Parents Can Help at Home

• Key Takeaways

Dear Parents,

When it comes to GCSE success, knowledge alone isn’t enough—students also need to know how to apply what they’ve learned in an exam setting. Many students struggle not because they don’t understand the content, but because they don’t fully grasp how to answer exam questions effectively.

A key part of exam success is practicing with past papers and mastering command words like describe, explain, and evaluate. In our discussion on the National Tutors YouTube channel with our Chemistry Tutor Elzabé, we spoke about why past paper practice is a game-changer and how parents can help their children make the most of it.

🤔 Why Past Papers Are Essential

Many high-achieving students aren’t necessarily the ones who know the most, but the ones who understand how to answer exam questions strategically. Here’s why practicing with past papers is so powerful:

✅ Familiarity with Exam Style: Students get used to the wording and structure of real exam questions, reducing surprises on the day.
✅ Better Time Management: Practicing under timed conditions helps students pace themselves and avoid running out of time.
✅ Improved Application Skills: Examiners don’t just want students to recall facts; they want them to apply their knowledge to different scenarios. Past papers train students to recognise what examiners are looking for.
✅ Identifying Weak Spots: By reviewing past paper answers and mark schemes, students can see exactly where they are losing marks and improve their technique.

🖊️ Cracking the Code: Understanding Command Words

One of the biggest mistakes students make is misinterpreting command words—the instructions in a question that tell them what kind of answer is needed. In our discussion Elzabé highlighted that students often lose marks because they give the wrong type of answer.

Here are some of the most common command words and what they actually mean:

• Describe – Say what something is like or what happens. Example: Describe the structure of an atom.

• Explain – Give reasons or causes. Example: Explain why increasing temperature speeds up a chemical reaction.

• Evaluate – Weigh up pros and cons before making a judgment. Example: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy sources.

• Compare – Identify similarities and differences. Example: Compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

• Justify – Provide reasons for a choice or opinion. Example: Justify why a specific method is used in an experiment.

Teaching your child to underline the command word before answering can make a massive difference in ensuring they’re structuring their responses correctly. You can also find the command words on your child’s exam board website. Here is a list of the AQA command words that you can download and print.

How Parents Can Help at Home 👨 👩

You don’t need to be a subject expert to support your child with exam preparation. Here’s how you can help them maximise their past paper practice:

✔ Encourage regular past paper sessions – Even doing one or two past papers per week can significantly improve confidence and exam technique. You can do more as you get closer to the exams.
✔ Use mark schemes wisely – After completing a paper, go through the mark scheme together. Look at where marks were gained and lost.
✔ Practice answering in bullet points – For longer questions, structuring answers clearly with key points can help students get full marks.
✔ Time practice sessions – Simulating real exam conditions trains students to manage their time effectively.
✔ Make use of examiner reports – These give insight into common mistakes students make and what examiners are really looking for.

🔑 Key Takeaways

The difference between a good and a great exam performance often comes down to technique. Practicing past papers and mastering command words are two of the most effective ways to boost exam confidence and results.

By incorporating past paper practice and command word mastery into their revision routine, your child will be on the path to exam success!

Happy Revising,

Claire

To see the first full lessons of Elzabé’s Chemistry course just click here.

For our GCSE Chemistry Revision course or other revision courses just visit our website 👇