Using Past Papers & Simulated Exams for GCSE Science

Past papers are one of the best ways for your teen to prepare for their GCSE Science exams.
They show how questions are worded, how marks are awarded, and what “exam thinking” really looks like.

Here’s how to make the most of them — and which ones are worth using.

🎯 Why Past Papers Matter

Working through past and mock exam papers helps your teen:

  • Understand how topics are tested and what examiners expect

  • Build confidence and timing under real conditions

  • Learn to spot question patterns and command words (“describe”, “explain”, “evaluate”)

  • Practise using scientific language and applying knowledge to unfamiliar contexts

  • Develop the skill of writing concise, structured answers

💡 Doing full papers under timed conditions turns revision into real exam practice — and helps reduce nerves.

📄 Types of Practice Papers

1. Official Past Papers (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas)

  • Real exam papers from previous years, freely available on exam board websites.

  • Closely match the content and style of the real exams.

  • Mark schemes, however, can be brief and written mainly for teachers — not always easy for students to interpret.

2. CGP Practice & Exam Papers

  • Designed to mimic real exam style for Combined and Triple Science.

  • Include clear worked solutions and student-friendly explanations of where marks are earned.

  • Available for Biology, Chemistry and Physics separately or as Combined Science packs.

  • Sold directly at CGP Books.

3. School-Issued Mock Papers or Topic Tests

  • Often adapted from official questions or commercial sources such as CGP.

  • Useful for targeting specific topics and exam skills.

  • Check whether mark schemes are included or can be requested from the teacher.

🧬 Using a variety of paper types prevents over-reliance on memorised questions and improves flexibility.

🧮 Understanding Marking Schemes

Mark schemes show exactly how marks are awarded — for knowledge, clarity, and application.
However, some are clearer than others:

  • Official exam board schemes are technically accurate but often use examiner shorthand.

  • CGP paper packs provide full worked answers in plain English, ideal for self-checking.

  • Some schools use simplified mark schemes or annotated examples that help students see what earns full marks.

📘 Encourage your teen to study model answers — this helps them learn how to structure clear, high-mark responses.

🔬 How to Use Past Papers Effectively

  1. Start early – use topic-based questions after each unit before moving to full papers.

  2. Time each paper – match real exam timings and conditions.

  3. Mark carefully – identify which questions lost marks and why.

  4. Analyse errors – was it lack of knowledge, misreading, or poor wording?

  5. Re-do missed questions – not immediately, but a few days later to test recall.

  6. Build a revision log – note recurring weak topics and track progress.

🧭 Improvement comes not from doing more papers, but from learning more deeply from each one.

💬 The Takeaway for Parents

  • Encourage your teen to mix real and simulated papers — CGP packs are ideal for independent use.

  • Use marking schemes as learning tools, not just scoring sheets.

  • Review model answers together to see how high-mark responses are structured.

  • Focus on steady progress and exam confidence, not perfection.

🎯 Past papers turn knowledge into skill — they’re the bridge between learning science and succeeding in the exam.