a📀 Certainly not ideal, you'll need to work your way above the 50% mark but don't fret, you'll acquire more skills as you do more exams and identify your weaker areas. 72% on VR and RC is very good, on the actual test 70%+ will already be in the high bands. Although I will make a suggestion, never settle for less and always aim higher. 42%/48% isn't as bad as you make it out to be, even if Spectrum or whatever tutoring organisation claims that it's a bad score, they haven't actually taken into account the examinees in the REAL examination that may drag down the average score (whether due to the lack of preparation or other circumstances).
In my first set of practice exams (2020), I remember I scored somewhere in the ballpark of 45/60 on VR, 20/50 on NR, 40/50 on RC, and 28/60 on Mathematics. But, with adequate preparation, I scored almost 90% or above in every exam by October (2020 SHS exam was postponed). So don't stress, just keep doing questions and building those skills. They'll remain useful in high school anyway, just think of it as studying material earlier than your classmates.
