What Are Predicted Papers – And Should You Be Using Them?

Kriss Tuition

If you're preparing for your GCSEs, you've probably come across predicted papers before. Maybe you've heard people raving about how they "came up in the real exam" or maybe you're just wondering if they're even worth the hype.

In this post, we’re breaking it all down: what predicted papers actually are, how to use them, and the golden question — should you use them instead of doing other revision? (Spoiler: no 👀)

🧠 First of all, what are predicted papers?

Predicted papers are practice papers created by teachers, tutors, and exam experts. The aim? To closely mirror the style, structure, and difficulty of real exam papers while predicting the types of questions that are most likely to come up, based on things like:

  • Past paper trends
  • Specification priorities
  • What topics haven’t come up in a while
  • Exam board patterns over the years

These papers aren't just thrown together randomly - for example, at KrissTuition, our predicted papers are put together by a team that includes experienced tutors, teachers and a former head of exams - educators who live and breathe this stuff. We’re pretty proud of the system we've built 💜

✅ So… should I use them?

Yes, but smartly.

Predicted papers can be an amazing resource to:

  • Test yourself under timed conditions
  • Get used to tricky, exam-style questions
  • Identify gaps in your knowledge
  • Build confidence for the real thing

They're especially helpful in the final few weeks before your exam, when you're tired of staring at revision cards and just want to practise applying your knowledge.

🚫 But should they replace my revision?

Absolutely not.

Predicted papers are a tool - they’re not magic. Just like no one can 100% guarantee what’s going to come up in your exams, no predicted paper is ever going to be perfectly accurate.

Using them on their own and hoping for the best is not the vibe. They should sit alongside your other revision – not replace it. That means still going through all your topics, revisiting your notes, using mark schemes, and making sure you understand the whole specification.

📚 How do I use predicted papers effectively?

Here’s how we recommend using them to get the most out of them:

  1. Treat them like real exams – sit them timed, no notes, no distractions.
  2. Mark them properly – don’t just guess how you did. Use the mark scheme.
  3. Review your weak areas – any questions you struggled with? Go back and revise that topic.
  4. Track your progress – try one paper a week and monitor how your scores improve. Maybe do more practice/past papers and see if you're improving.

✏️ Final thoughts

Predicted papers are brilliant – when used right. They can help you focus your revision, practise under pressure, and walk into your exam with more confidence. But they’re not a shortcut or a replacement for hard work.

Use them wisely, revise broadly, and most importantly - believe in yourself. You’ve got this!

Remember: these are just a part of your journey - not the whole path.

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