How to create a mock test online (free, step by step)

1. Start with a blueprint, not questions

Before writing anything, write down the exam pattern you are copying: number of questions, time limit, marks per question, negative marking and the weight of each topic. A one-line blueprint stops a mock test drifting into a random quiz.

• Total questions and total minutes — keep the same ratio as the real paper.
• Marks per question and negative marks for a wrong answer, if the exam uses them.
• Topic split, for example 40% quantitative, 30% reasoning, 30% general awareness.
• Difficulty mix — roughly 20% easy, 60% medium, 20% hard works for most practice papers.

2. Get the questions in

There are three sensible sources: questions you already have in a file, questions from a shared bank, and questions you write now. Importing beats retyping every time.

1. Download the Excel or Word question template from the resources page.
2. Paste your questions, options, answer key and marks into the columns.
3. Upload the file — the importer detects the template and pre-fills the column mapping.
4. Review the preview, fix anything flagged as low confidence, then confirm the import.
5. Add extra items from the question bank, pulling across folders as needed.

3. Set timing and marking

Marking rules decide whether the score is comparable to the real exam. Set marks per question rather than treating everything as one point, and turn on negative marking only if the exam has it — otherwise students learn the wrong guessing strategy.

The timer runs on the server, so closing the tab or reloading does not buy extra minutes. A per-question timer with auto-advance is useful for speed practice.

4. Turn on the exam controls you actually need

For self-practice, leave everything relaxed. For a graded mock, tighten the settings so the score means something.

• Shuffle questions and options so neighbours cannot copy an answer order.
• Limit attempts, or allow retakes and keep the best or the latest score.
• Track tab switches to see who left the page mid-test.
• Show results immediately, or hold them until everyone has submitted.

5. Publish and share one link

Publishing gives you a single custom link and a short test code. Use a readable slug such as /q/physics-mock-1 so it is easy to dictate in class, and share the QR code on a slide. If you need to see which group came from where, add named tracking links on top of the same test.

6. Review the results with the class

The value of a mock test is in the review. Per-question analytics show which items most students got wrong — that is your next lesson. Export the gradebook as CSV for records, and hand each student a PDF score report showing their answers against the key.