Mock exams: A glimpse into the real thing

Grace F Sheya
  • 3 Days Ago

For many learners at Academia Secondary School, the second term became a serious test of their preparation when the school’s mock examinations began on 22 July 2026. The examinations, which ended on 14 August, were mainly written by Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners in the school hall.

The mocks included learners from the Science, Commerce and Social Science fields, allowing them to experience the pressure and expectations of formal examinations before facing their final exams.

For Grade 11 learners in particular, the mocks were their first real opportunity to experience what a formal examination would be like. One Grade 11 learner said: “I kind of like these mock exams because they gave me the chance to experience a glimpse of what our final exams will look like.”

However, the examinations were not without their unusual moments. Due to limited space in the hall, one Grade 11 class had to write their English and Afrikaans listening comprehension examinations on the stage. Although this was certainly different from the usual examination arrangement, the learners had to adapt and continue with their papers.

For some learners, preparation for the mocks was stressful. One learner admitted: “I didn’t enjoy these mocks at all because I had sleepless nights studying topics that didn’t even appear in the exam paper.” They explained that struggling to retain some of the information they had studied caused anxiety during the examination period.

The cold winter weather created another challenge. A teacher explained that because learners were writing during winter, “it was super cold in the school hall”, making it difficult for them to concentrate. Fortunately, the hall became slightly warmer as the day progressed.

Despite these challenges, learners experienced a mixture of emotions. Some felt anxious while waiting to see how they had performed, while others felt proud of the work they had completed.

The mock examinations were important because they gave Grade 11 and 12 learners a glimpse of what they could expect in their final examinations. For Grade 11 learners in particular, the experience helped them understand how formal examinations are conducted and how much preparation is required.

Although the weeks were filled with pressure, late-night studying and freezing mornings, the mock examinations gave learners something valuable: experience. For many, the exams were not simply about marks, but about learning how to prepare, cope with pressure and face the real examinations with greater confidence.