Analysing Practice Tests

What to Do After Writing a Practice Exam

Students write many tests:

• Try-a-Tests (chapter-wise)
• Practice tests before exams
• Prelims and other exams before the Board exam

Writing the test is the first step.
👉 The improvement happens after the test is completed and analysed.

Step 1: Write the Test Properly. Prepare well, attempt sincerely

Step 2: Check and Understand Feedback
After the test:

• It may be checked by the teacher, or
• You may self-check using the answer key

In both cases, model answers are available
👉 This is where learning begins

Step 3: Identify Where You Lost Marks
Focus only on one thing:
👉 Did you get full credit for each question?

• 3-mark question → Did you get 3/3?
• 5-mark question → Did you get 5/5?

If not, that question needs attention.

Step 4: Find What Was Missing
For every question where you did not get full marks:

• Compare your answer with the model answer
• Identify missing points, incomplete explanation, incorrect concepts

Step 5: Write the Missing Points (This is Critical)
Do this immediately as you compare with the model answers

• Use a different coloured pen
  • Blue → student writing
  • Red → teacher correction
  • Use green / purple for your improvement notes
• Write down:
  • What was missing
  • What should have been included

👉 This makes your mistake visible and memorable

Step 6: Build Your Improvement Cycle
This is where practice tests become powerful:

• The same topics are tested again and again, especially in higher classes
• When you revise:
  • Go through your old papers
  • Focus on your green/purple corrections

👉 This ensures:

• You do not repeat the same mistakes
• Your answers become more complete each time

What Happens If You Skip This Step?
👉 You lose half the benefit of the test

Why This Matters More in Higher Classes
In Std. 9 and 10:

• The same lessons are tested repeatedly
• Questions become more structured
• Marks depend on completeness of answers

👉 Small missing points = lost marks