Mock Exam Marking Service FAQs | GCSE, 11+, SATs Questions Answered

Mock Exam Marking Service - Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about professional exam marking from qualified UK teachers. Can't find your answer? Contact us and we'll help.

About Our Markers

Who marks mock GCSE papers?

All mock GCSE papers are marked by qualified teachers with QTS who specialize in GCSE assessment. Many of our markers have current or recent experience as GCSE examiners for major exam boards including AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.

Our GCSE markers understand the specific mark schemes, grade boundaries and examiner expectations for each qualification. They know what separates a grade 6 answer from a grade 7, and can show students exactly how to bridge that gap.

Who marks mock exams for 11+ and SATs?

11+ and SATs papers are marked by primary and secondary specialists with extensive experience in selective school entrance procedures and Key Stage 2 assessment. Our 11+ markers understand the specific requirements of grammar school entrance exams across different regions, including GL Assessment, CEM, and independent school entrance tests.

SATs markers are experienced with Key Stage 2 curriculum and assessment frameworks, ensuring feedback aligns with what students will face in their actual exams.

What qualifications do your markers have?

All our markers hold UK teaching qualifications (QTS or equivalent). Many have Master's degrees in Education or their specialist subject. Most have current or recent examiner experience with major UK exam boards.

We only work with teachers who have proven track records in improving student outcomes. Every marker has at least three years of teaching experience and extensive knowledge of their subject and exam level.

You can see profiles of our teaching team at our tutor profiles page.

Are your markers actual examiners?

Many are. We have markers who currently work or have recently worked as examiners for AQA, Edexcel, OCR and other major exam boards. However, even our markers without formal examiner roles have extensive experience marking practice papers and understand examiner standards thoroughly.

Being a current examiner gives insight into recent marking trends and changes, but experienced teachers often provide equally valuable feedback because they understand the learning journey and can explain concepts more effectively.

Can I request a specific marker?

Not for individual papers, as we match papers to markers based on their specialist expertise and availability. However, for bulk marking packages or ongoing arrangements, we can try to assign the same marker for consistency.

Gold tier customers who want to discuss their marking in detail can request to speak with their assigned marker after receiving feedback.

Service Details

How quickly will I get my marked paper back?

Turnaround times depend on your chosen tier:

Bronze tier: 96 hours (4 days)
Silver tier: 72 hours (3 days)
Gold tier: 48 hours (2 days)

All turnaround times start from the point of submission during working hours. Papers submitted over weekends or bank holidays are processed on the next working day.

If you need faster turnaround, Gold tier offers our quickest service at 48 hours. For urgent marking (24 hours), contact us directly for availability and pricing.

What subjects do you mark?

We currently specialize in mathematics marking across all levels including SATs, 11+, GCSE (all tiers), IGCSE and A-Level. This includes all mathematics specifications from all major exam boards.

We focus exclusively on mathematics to maintain the highest quality standards and provide truly expert feedback. Our markers are mathematics specialists who understand the subject deeply and can explain concepts clearly.

For other subjects, we recommend contacting specialist marking services in those areas.

Can I submit papers from any exam board?

Yes. We mark papers from all major UK exam boards including:

AQA (all mathematics specifications)
Edexcel/Pearson (GCSE and IGCSE)
OCR (Foundation and Higher)
Eduqas/WJEC (Wales)
Cambridge IGCSE
Independent school entrance papers
GL Assessment 11+ papers
CEM 11+ papers

We're also familiar with regional variations in 11+ exams and can mark papers from specific grammar school consortiums.

Download practice papers from your exam board: AQA papers | Edexcel papers | OCR papers | IGCSE papers | 11+ papers

What levels do you mark?

We mark mathematics papers across all these levels:

Year 6 SATs (Key Stage 2)
11+ entrance exams (all formats)
GCSE Mathematics (Foundation and Higher tier)
IGCSE Mathematics (Core and Extended)
A-Level Mathematics (AS and A2)

Each level is marked by specialists in that specific qualification who understand the progression and requirements.

Do you mark both Foundation and Higher tier GCSE?

Yes. We mark both Foundation tier (targeting grades 1-5) and Higher tier (targeting grades 4-9). Your marker will be experienced with your specific tier and understand the grade boundaries and question types students face.

Pricing and Packages

How much does marking cost?

We offer three tiers:

Bronze: £39.99 per paper (comprehensive marking, key improvement areas, 96-hour turnaround)
Silver: £69.99 per paper (detailed analysis, question-by-question feedback, 72-hour turnaround)
Gold: £99.99 per paper (premium coaching, personalised insights, direct teacher contact, 48-hour turnaround)

All tiers include professional marking by qualified teachers. The difference is the depth of analysis and turnaround speed.

View detailed tier comparison

What if I need multiple papers marked?

We offer bulk discounts for families, schools and tutoring centres:

5-9 papers: 10% discount
10-19 papers: 15% discount
20+ papers: 20% discount

This is ideal for full mock exam series where students complete papers across multiple topics, or for group revision sessions with several students.

Is there a subscription option?

Not currently, but we're developing monthly packages for students who want regular marking throughout their exam preparation. If you're interested, contact us and we'll notify you when this becomes available.

Do you offer refunds?

We offer a satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy with the quality of feedback, we'll arrange for a different marker to review your paper and provide additional insights at no charge.

If you're still not satisfied after the second review, we'll refund your payment. See our full refund policy at shlc-tutor.co.uk/policies/refund-policy.

Can I upgrade my tier after submission?

Yes. If you've purchased Bronze and want the additional analysis from Silver or Gold, you can upgrade by paying the difference. Contact us within 24 hours of your original submission to arrange this.

We recommend choosing your tier carefully at the start, as upgrading after marking begins may delay your turnaround time.

Submission and Format

What format should I submit my paper in?

Submit clear photographs or scans in these formats:

PDF (preferred for multi-page papers)
JPG or JPEG
PNG

Make sure all writing is legible and pages are in the correct order. If your handwriting is difficult to read, consider typing out your answers or providing clearer images.

For multi-page papers, please submit as a single PDF rather than multiple separate images where possible.

How do I submit my paper?

After purchasing your chosen tier, you'll receive submission instructions via email. You'll upload your completed paper through our secure system, which accepts files up to 50MB.

Include any working out, diagrams or additional notes you made during the exam. Our markers assess your approach and method alongside your final answers.

Can I submit typed answers instead of handwritten?

Yes. Some students find it easier to type their responses, especially for longer questions. This is perfectly acceptable and often makes the marking process faster as typed answers are always legible.

However, for mathematics papers, you should still show your working out clearly, either by typing it step by step or by submitting scanned handwritten working alongside typed answers.

What if my paper has diagrams or graphs?

No problem. Our markers are experienced with mathematical diagrams, graphs, and geometric drawings. Make sure your scans or photos capture these clearly, including any labels, scales or annotations.

For geometry questions, take extra care that angles, lines and shapes are clearly visible in your submission.

Do I need to include the question paper?

Not necessarily. If you're working from a published past paper, just tell us which paper it is (exam board, year, paper number) and we can reference the original.

If you're working from a custom paper, predicted paper, or school mock that we won't have access to, please include the question paper alongside your answers.

Feedback and Results

What does the feedback look like?

All tiers include:

Overall score and grade (where applicable)
Annotated answers showing where marks were gained or lost
Analysis of strengths and weaknesses
Specific recommendations for improvement

Silver and Gold tiers include more detailed breakdowns, question-by-question analysis, and personalised teaching insights.

Do you provide mark schemes?

We don't send separate mark schemes, as official mark schemes are available free from exam board websites. Our value comes from going beyond basic mark schemes to explain why answers were right or wrong and providing strategic guidance for improvement.

Our feedback shows you exactly where marks were awarded, what examiners were looking for, and how to improve your technique for similar questions.

Can I speak to the marker directly?

Gold tier customers receive direct teacher contact for clarification questions. You can email your assigned marker within 7 days of receiving feedback to ask about specific points or request additional explanation.

Bronze and Silver customers can upgrade to Gold at any time by paying the difference, which includes the direct contact benefit.

How detailed is the feedback?

Bronze tier provides comprehensive marking with your top 3-5 improvement priorities. This is perfect if you want professional marking without overwhelming detail.

Silver tier includes question-by-question analysis, showing exactly where marks were gained or lost on every question. You'll see patterns across question types and topics.

Gold tier adds personalised teaching insights drawn from classroom experience, plus specific resource recommendations for your next practice focus. This is the closest to one-to-one tutoring feedback.

Will the feedback help with exam technique?

Absolutely. Our markers assess both knowledge and exam technique including time management, answer structure, use of mathematical terminology, and presentation of working out.

Many students lose marks not because they don't understand the mathematics, but because they don't present their working clearly or skip steps that earn method marks. Our feedback addresses these technique issues specifically.

Can I submit the same paper to multiple markers?

This isn't our standard service, but if you want a second opinion on a particularly important mock exam (for example, a final practice before your real exams), contact us to arrange this. We charge 50% of the original tier price for second marking.

Practical Questions

How does this compare to regular tutoring?

Mark a Mock gives you professional teaching insight focused specifically on your exam performance, without the ongoing time commitment or higher costs of regular tutoring.

One marked paper costs £39.99-£99.99 depending on tier. One hour of tutoring typically costs £30-£50, but covers multiple topics rather than providing this focused exam-specific feedback.

Many families use marked papers alongside our tutoring packages for comprehensive exam preparation, getting regular tutoring for teaching new content and marked papers to assess exam readiness.

When should I use this service?

Mark a Mock is most valuable when:

You're 4-8 weeks before your real exams and want to assess readiness
You've completed a mock exam and want professional feedback
You're practicing past papers and want to know if you're on track
You've been revising independently and want expert guidance on priorities
You're a high achiever targeting top grades and want to fine-tune technique
You're a parent who wants clear insight into your child's strengths and weaknesses

How many papers should I get marked?

Most students benefit from 3-5 marked papers throughout their revision period. This allows you to track improvement over time and verify that you're successfully addressing weaknesses.

We recommend spacing marked papers 2-3 weeks apart, giving you time to work on the feedback between submissions. Your final marked paper should ideally be 1-2 weeks before your real exam.

Can teachers use this for their classes?

Yes. Many teachers use our bulk marking service to save time while maintaining quality feedback for students. This is particularly valuable for:

Mock exam series where marking 30+ papers is time-consuming
Providing external validation of student performance
Offering detailed feedback that goes beyond what's possible with limited marking time
Year 11 or Year 6 teachers managing high-stakes exam preparation

Do you work with tutoring centres?

Yes. We partner with tutoring centres that want professional marking for their students' practice papers. Volume discounts available for regular marking requirements.

Is this service available internationally?

Yes. While our marking focuses on UK exam boards (GCSE, 11+, SATs, IGCSE), we work with families internationally. Many British families abroad and international schools use our service.

Submit your paper from anywhere in the world. All feedback is delivered digitally, so your location doesn't matter.

What if English isn't my first language?

Our markers understand that many students taking UK exams are learning English as an additional language. For mathematics papers, the focus is on mathematical understanding and working, not language fluency.

However, we do provide feedback on mathematical terminology and how to express answers clearly, as this affects marks in exams.

Can I submit calculator and non-calculator papers?

Yes. Make sure you specify which type of paper you're submitting, as marking approach differs slightly. Calculator papers may award marks for efficient use of calculator functions, while non-calculator papers focus more on mental calculation and written methods.

What about coursework or projects?

We focus on examination-style papers rather than coursework. For GCSE Mathematics, coursework is no longer part of most specifications, but if you need feedback on mathematical investigation work or extended problems, contact us to discuss whether we can help.

Do you mark practice papers from revision guides?

Yes, as long as they're appropriate for your qualification level. Papers from CGP, Collins, Pearson Revision Guides and similar resources are all fine.

Let us know which book and page number you're working from so we can reference the original if needed.

Still Have Questions?

Can't find what you're looking for? We're here to help.

Contact us with your question, or book a free consultation to discuss how professional marking can support your exam preparation.

Ready to get started? View our marking service plans and submit your first paper today.

Related Resources

Practice Papers:

Exam Preparation Tools:

Our Results:

Other Services:

Woman helping a boy with his homework at a table in a bright room.

Want to find out more?

Book a free, no-obligation call with us today. Let us talk you through how we can help you and your family.

Book Now