The Top 8 Tips to Deal with Low Scores in Mock Tests!

Mock tests are brutal sometimes, right?

You prep hard, sit for hours, hope for something decent… and boom. Low score again.

Frustrating. Demotivating. Makes you question everything.

But before you start doubting yourself or wondering if IIT JEE is even for you—pause. Take a breath. You’re not the only one going through this.

Almost every serious aspirant faces this at some point.

The real difference? How you deal with it.

Here’s a breakdown of the top 8 tips to deal with low scores in mock tests—straight from real conversations with students and teachers at some of the best IIT JEE coaching classes in Nagpur.

Top 8 Tips to Deal with Low Scores in Mock Tests

1. Don’t panic. Seriously. Just don’t.

First reaction? Panic.

It’s normal. You see a bad score, and your mind goes into full drama mode.

“Am I even good enough?”

“What if I mess up the real exam too?”

“Is it too late?”

But honestly—mock tests are meant to be tough. They expose your weak spots so you can fix them.

Getting a low score doesn’t mean you’re bad. It just means something needs fixing. That’s it.

Instead of panicking:

1. Take 30 minutes off after the test.
2. Go for a walk. Watch something light.
3. Come back with a clearer head.

You can’t improve if you’re stuck in a loop of panic.

2. Analyse every single mistake

This is where most students mess up.

They finish the mock test, see the score, sulk a bit, and move on. No analysis. That’s like taking a photo and never checking how it turned out.

At top IIT JEE coaching classes in Nagpur, students are trained to treat analysis like gold.

Here’s how to do it properly:

1. Go question by question.
2. Note down:
   1. Where you go wrong
   1. Why you get confused
   1. Was it a silly mistake or a concept issue?

Create a mistake notebook.

Yes, it’s annoying at first. However, once you start logging your common errors, patterns will emerge.

You’ll start seeing things like:

1. “Oh, I always mess up under pressure.”
2. “I misread the question again.”
3. “I rushed through this section.”

That’s how real improvement begins.

3. Stop comparing your scores with others

Your friend scored 180. You got 95. Great.

You know what that means? Nothing.

Different people improve at different speeds. The guy getting 180 now may have started two years earlier. Or maybe he’s stuck and you’re rising.

Mock tests are about your progress. Not someone else’s.

Instead of asking:

“How much did you get?”

Ask yourself:

“Did I improve from my last mock?”

That’s the only score comparison that matters.

4. Track your performance weekly—not daily

Daily scores are up and down. One day you’re high, the next day it’s a disaster.

That’s why weekly tracking works better.

Here’s a simple way:

1. Take 2–3 mock tests per week.
2. Record your total score and subject-wise score.
3. At the end of the week, check if there’s a trend.

Are you improving in Physics? Still weak in Organic Chem?

This kind of tracking helps you stay objective. It’s how coaching experts in Nagpur help students avoid emotional burnout.

5. Fix your timing strategy

A lot of low scores come from poor time management—not poor knowledge.

Ever found yourself spending 25 minutes on just 3 Physics questions? And then rushing through the rest?

Yeah, been there.

Here’s what helps:

1. Start with your strongest subject. Builds confidence.
2. Divide time smartly:
   1. Physics – 1 hour
   1. Chemistry – 45 mins
   1. Maths – 1 hour 15 mins (example)
3. Mark tough questions and move on. Don’t waste more than 2–3 minutes on one question.

Mock tests should also be used to test your exam strategy—not just concepts.

6. Revisit concepts you’re repeatedly messing up

Some mistakes are just “meh” moments. You misread a number or forgot a formula.

Others? They happen again and again.

Like not getting the logic behind a Thermodynamics question. Or forgetting how to use integration limits in Calculus.

These are concept gaps. Not silly mistakes.

Best way to fix them?

1. Make a “Concept Weak List”.
2. Watch videos from trusted JEE teachers (some of the best ones are in Nagpur, honestly).
3. Redo 5–10 questions from the same concept until you stop making the mistake.

Don’t skip this part. Fixing weak concepts gives you the fastest boost in score.

7. Talk to your mentor or teacher

Sometimes, you just need a fresh perspective.

There are teachers at top IIT JEE coaching centers in Nagpur who’ve seen thousands of students struggle—and bounce back.

If your scores are stuck or dropping, ask for a one-on-one session.

Things you can ask them:

1. “Which topic should I focus on next?”
2. “Why am I stuck at this score range?”
3. “Can you recommend practice material based on my weak areas?”

Even one honest discussion can save you weeks of trial and error.

8. Stop aiming for perfection

You don’t need to get every question right.

Seriously, a 70% score in a JEE Advanced-level paper is often a top rank.

But most students chase 100% and then feel bad when they fall short.

Change your mindset:

1. Your job isn’t to solve every question.
2. Your job is to pick and solve the right ones.

Play to your strengths. Skip questions that feel too long or confusing. You’re not being lazy—you’re being smart.

Low scores in mock tests suck. No denying that.

But they’re not a sign of failure—they’re part of the process.

Every topper and every ranker has gone through the same cycle. What helped them reach the top wasn’t just intelligence. It was strategy, patience, and bouncing back.

Quick recap:

1. Don’t panic. Take breaks. Come back stronger.
2. Analyse mistakes like a detective.
3. Stop comparing. Focus on your graph.
4. Fix your time strategy and weak concepts.
5. Get help when you’re stuck.

And most importantly—keep going.

Because no matter how bad today’s score looks, it doesn’t define what you’re capable of three months from now.