Mocks Didn’t Go Well? Here’s How to Help Your Teen Bounce Back

By Mary Bradley Wellbeing

3-5 minute read

The mock results are in, or they’re on the way, and across the country, lots of parents and teenagers are having some big feelings.

Maybe your teen did well in some subjects and struggled in others. Maybe they feel disappointed, frustrated, or couldn’t care less. Maybe you feel like you’re more worried than they are.

If the results weren’t what you or your young person hoped for, I want to start by saying this:

It’s OK. This is not a crisis.
The mocks are not the final chapter, they’re just part of the story.

Mocks Are Practice (Not a Prediction)

Mocks are designed to help students prepare for the Junior Cycle/Leaving Cert. They’re a chance to:

• Experience the exam center setup
• Practice timing and pacing under pressure
• Get used to things like remembering water, snacks, extra pens, calculators etc.
• Build stamina for long papers
• And maybe most importantly, learn how to manage exam-day nerves

So yes, the results matter, but not in the way we sometimes think. They’re not there to define your child’s ability or future. They’re there to show us what’s working, what’s not, and where to go from here.

Step 1: Pause Before Problem-Solving

Before talking about next steps or improvement plans, check in with your teen. They might be feeling ashamed, defensive, flat, or fine. Maybe it feels like you’re more worried than they are! Their brains are still developing, and their sense of identity is often tightly tied to academic performance, even if they pretend not to care.

Try something like:

“I know this might not be what you wanted. I just want you to know I’m proud of you for getting through them, and we’ll figure out what comes next together.”

This kind of reassurance helps more than you might think. When teens feel safe, seen, and supported, they’re much more open to reflection and change.

Step 2: Gently Reflect

Now, with the pressure off, see if they’re open to exploring how it went.

You might ask:

• “What surprised you?”
• “Did you feel rushed or OK for time?”
• “Was it nerves, or was it more that you didn’t feel ready?”
• “What would you do differently next time?”

The aim here isn’t to lecture — it’s to help your teen become more self-aware and better equipped for the next round. Even just having the conversation is progress.

Step 3: What If They Just Aren’t Putting in the Work?

This is something I hear from lots of parents, “They’re just not motivated. I’m more stressed than they are.”

It can be really hard to watch your teen coast or disengage, not living up to their full potential. But underneath that lack of motivation, there’s often something else; overwhelm, anxiety, fear of failing, low confidence, or just not seeing the point.

If this sounds familiar:

• Stay curious, not critical. Try asking what’s feeling hard or off.
• Start small. Suggest one subject, one topic, one short burst of revision.
• Connect school with their future goals, whatever those might be.
• Check in on their overall wellbeing. Sleep, stress, and mental health all play a role.

And if you suspect it’s more than just school stress, f they’re low in mood, highly anxious, or just not themselves, please do reach out for support. You’re not alone, and help is out there.

Step 4: Make a Plan With Them, Not For Them

Invite them into the process. You might ask:

• “What would help you feel a bit more in control with study?”
• “Do you want to make a loose plan for the week ahead?”

You could even sit down together and sketch out what a balanced week might look like, with study time, breaks, downtime, and sleep.

When teens have some say in the plan, they’re more likely to stick to it.

Step 5: Remember — Exams Are Not Everything

Of course we want our teens to do their best, but their wellbeing matters just as much as their grades.

If your teen is struggling with exam anxiety, I’ve created some free and low-cost resources that might help:

🟡 Free webinar for parents: Support Your Teenager Through Exam Anxiety
🟢 Self-paced online course for teens: Exam Empowerment
📝 Or read this: Exam Anxiety — What You Need to Know

These tools are designed to help both you and your teen feel more grounded and prepared in the months ahead.

A Little Note for Your Teen

You might want to show them this part:

Hey, if you’re reading this because your mocks didn’t go to plan…
You are not a failure. You are not behind. You are not stuck.

Mocks are practice. They show you where the gaps are so you can sort them before the real thing. That’s literally their job.

You’ve got time. You’ve got options.
And it’s not too late to turn things around.

Ask for help if you need it. Take a breath. Try again.
We believe in you.

Final Thoughts

Mock results can stir up a lot, for teens and for parents. But this isn’t the end of anything. It’s a moment to pause, reset, and take the next step.

You don’t need to have it all figured out today.
Just keep showing up with support, steadiness, and love.

You’ve got this.
They’ve got this.
And you’re not in it alone.