English Mock Examination Guide for JHS Form 3 Students

English Mock Examination Guide for JHS Form 3 Students

NOTE: Digital MCQs for practice — We recommend that you take your time to read and understand what’s involved in the mock examination before attempting the practice questions. Currently, only MCQs are available for students.

English Mock Examination For Junior High School (JHS) Form 3 – Part 1

English Mock Examination For Junior High School (JHS) Form 3 – Part 2

English Mock Examination For Junior High School (JHS) Form 3 – Part 3

English Mock Examination For Junior High School (JHS) Form 3 – Part 4

Understanding the Mock Examination

The English Mock Examination for JHS Form 3 is a crucial preparatory assessment that simulates the actual Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). This practice test helps students familiarize themselves with the exam format, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and build confidence before the final examination.

Key Things Students Must Keep in Mind

1. Examination Structure and Format

The JHS Form 3 English exam typically consists of multiple papers covering:

  • Paper 1: Essay Writing (Composition and Letters)
  • Paper 2: Objective Test and Comprehension (Multiple choice, grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension)

Understanding the structure helps you allocate your study time effectively and reduces surprises on exam day.

2. Time Management is Critical

Mock exams are timed just like the real BECE. Practice completing questions within the allocated time. Don’t spend too much time on difficult questions—mark them and return later if time permits. Learn to pace yourself so you can attempt all questions.

Example: If you have 2 hours for Paper 1:

  • Spend 10 minutes reading and choosing your topic
  • Allocate 50 minutes for the essay
  • Allocate 50 minutes for the letter
  • Reserve 10 minutes for proofreading

3. Grammar and Vocabulary Foundations

Focus on mastering:

  • Parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc.)
  • Tenses (past, present, future)
  • Subject-verb agreement
  • Prepositions and conjunctions
  • Common idioms and expressions
  • Synonyms and antonyms

Examples of Common Grammar Questions:

Subject-Verb Agreement:

  • Wrong: The students was late.
  • Right: The students were late.

Tenses:

  • Wrong: Yesterday, I go to the market.
  • Right: Yesterday, I went to the market.

Prepositions:

  • Wrong: She is good in mathematics.
  • Right: She is good at mathematics.

Synonyms:

  • Happy = Joyful, Cheerful, Delighted
  • Intelligent = Smart, Clever, Brilliant

4. Reading Comprehension Skills

  • Read passages carefully and completely before attempting questions
  • Underline or note key information
  • Pay attention to context clues that help you understand unfamiliar words
  • Answer based on what the passage says, not what you think
  • Look for main ideas, supporting details, and the author’s purpose

Example Comprehension Question:

Passage: “Kofi woke up early and rushed to prepare for school. He realized he had overslept when he heard the school bell ringing in the distance.”

Question: Why did Kofi rush? Answer: Because he had overslept and was late for school.

5. Essay Writing Excellence

For composition writing:

  • Plan before you write: Spend 5-10 minutes outlining your ideas
  • Structure matters: Introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
  • Stay on topic: Answer the question being asked
  • Use proper paragraphing: Each paragraph should contain one main idea
  • Check your work: Reserve time to proofread for spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors
  • Write legibly: Neat handwriting makes your work easier to mark

Example Essay Structure for topic: “A Day I Will Never Forget”

Introduction (1 paragraph): “There are many memorable days in my life, but one particular day stands out above all others. It was the day I won the inter-school debate competition in 2024.”

Body (2-3 paragraphs):

  • Paragraph 1: Describe how you prepared for the debate
  • Paragraph 2: Explain what happened during the competition
  • Paragraph 3: Describe your feelings when you won

Conclusion (1 paragraph): “That day taught me that hard work and dedication always pay off. I will never forget the joy and pride I felt as I held the trophy high.”

6. Letter Writing Formats

Know the formats for:

  • Formal letters (applications, complaints, requests)
  • Informal letters (to friends and family)

Example: Informal Letter Format

Your Address:
12 Liberation Road,
Accra,
Ghana.

Date: 30th October, 2025

Dear Ama,

I am so happy to write you at this time of the year. I am writing to invite you to my parents' 3oth marriage anniversary next month...

[Body of letter with 2-3 paragraphs]

I look forward to seeing you soon. Please greet your parents for me.

Your friend,
Agnes

Example: Formal Letter Format

Your Address:
15 Independence Avenue,
Kumasi,
Ghana.

Date: 30th October, 2025

The Headmaster,
Achimota Senior High School,
P.O. Box 222,
Accra.

Dear Sir,

REQUEST FOR ADMISSION

I am writing to respectfully request admission to your prestigious school...

[Body with 2-3 paragraphs explaining your request]

I hope my request will receive your favorable consideration.

Yours faithfully,
Akosua Mensah

7. Practice, Practice, Practice

  • Complete as many past questions and mock exams as possible
  • Review your mistakes and understand why you got questions wrong
  • Time yourself during practice sessions
  • Seek help from teachers on areas you find challenging

Example Practice Routine:

  • Monday: Practice essay writing (1 hour)
  • Tuesday: Do grammar exercises (30 minutes)
  • Wednesday: Read comprehension passages (45 minutes)
  • Thursday: Practice letter writing (45 minutes)
  • Friday: Complete a full mock paper (2 hours)
  • Weekend: Review mistakes and learn from them

8. Learn from Your Mock Results

The mock exam is a learning tool, not a final judgment. Use your results to:

  • Identify weak areas that need more attention
  • Understand the types of questions commonly asked
  • Build exam-taking strategies
  • Reduce anxiety about the real exam

Example: If you scored 12/20 on comprehension but 18/20 on grammar, spend more time practicing reading comprehension passages.

9. Examination Techniques

  • Read instructions carefully: Follow all directions precisely
  • Answer what you know first: Build confidence and secure easy marks
  • Use process of elimination: For multiple-choice questions, eliminate obviously wrong answers
  • Stay calm: If you’re stuck, take a deep breath and move on
  • Check your answers: If time allows, review your work

Example of Process of Elimination:

Question: The opposite of “brave” is: A) Courageous B) Cowardly C) Strong D) Happy

Process:

  • Eliminate A (courageous means brave, not opposite)
  • Eliminate C and D (not related to bravery)
  • Answer: B) Cowardly

10. Preparation Beyond the Exam Room

  • Read English books, newspapers, and magazines regularly
  • Watch English programs and listen to English radio
  • Practice speaking English with friends and family
  • Keep a vocabulary notebook for new words
  • Join study groups for collaborative learning

Example Vocabulary Notebook Entry:

New WordMeaningExample Sentence
DiligentHardworkingShe is a diligent student.
CompassionSympathy and concernHe showed compassion to the poor.
AmbitiousHaving strong desire to succeedMy sister is very ambitious.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Poor Sentence Construction:

  • Wrong: Me and my friend went to school.
  • Right: My friend and I went to school.

2. Spelling Errors:

  • Wrong: goverment, recieve, seperate
  • Right: government, receive, separate

3. Wrong Word Usage:

  • Wrong: I have much friends.
  • Right: I have many friends.

4. Comma Splices:

  • Wrong: I went to school, I met my teacher.
  • Right: I went to school and I met my teacher. OR I went to school. I met my teacher.

5. Incomplete Sentences:

  • Wrong: Because I was tired.
  • Right: I went to bed early because I was tired.

Sample Mock Questions with Answers

Grammar Section:

  1. Fill in the blank: The children _____ playing in the park.
    • Answer: are
  2. Choose the correct word: She speaks English (fluent/fluently).
    • Answer: fluently
  3. Identify the noun: The teacher gave us homework yesterday.
    • Answer: teacher, homework, yesterday

Comprehension Example:

Read the passage and answer the questions:

“Ghana gained independence on 6th March, 1957. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah became the first president. He believed that education was important for the country’s development. He built many schools across the nation.”

  1. When did Ghana gain independence?
    • Answer: 6th March, 1957
  2. Who was the first president?
    • Answer: Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
  3. What did Nkrumah believe was important?
    • Answer: Education

Conclusion

The mock examination is your opportunity to experience the real exam without the pressure. Take it seriously, but remember that mistakes made during the mock are valuable learning experiences. Use the feedback to strengthen your preparation, and approach the actual BECE with confidence.

Remember: Success in English requires consistent practice, attention to detail, and a positive attitude. Your mock exam performance is not your final result—it’s a stepping stone to excellence. Stay focused, work hard, and believe in yourself!

We wish you well with your preparation!