Exams can be stressful, and in a hurry to finish, many students make simple writing mistakes that can cost them valuable marks. The good news? With a little awareness and practice, you can easily avoid these common errors and boost your exam scores.
Here’s a list of the most common writing mistakes students should watch out for — and how to fix them!
1. Poor Handwriting
Even if your answer is correct, if the examiner struggles to read it, you might lose marks.
Tip: Write neatly and clearly. Don’t rush. If you feel your handwriting is getting messy, slow down a little.
2. Spelling Mistakes
Simple spelling errors can make your work look careless.
Tip: Always take a few minutes at the end of the exam to check your spelling. Watch out for commonly confused words like their/there and your/you’re.
3. Grammar Errors
Wrong verb tenses, missing punctuation, and sentence fragments can confuse the reader.
Tip: Keep your sentences short and simple. Always use capital letters for names and at the start of sentences, and don’t forget your full stops!
4. Misunderstanding the Question
Sometimes, students start writing without fully understanding what the question is asking.
Tip: Read the question twice. Underline important keywords like “explain,” “compare,” or “list.”
5. Writing Too Much or Too Little
Writing too little might leave out important points. Writing too much might waste your time and make your answers messy.
Tip: Plan your answers briefly before you start writing. Stick to the main points.
6. Repeating the Same Ideas
Repeating yourself doesn’t add anything new and can bore the examiner.
Tip: Once you’ve made your point, move on to the next one. Keep your answers clear and focused.
7. Not Structuring Your Answer
Writing without any structure can make your work confusing.
Tip: Always organize your answers with a clear beginning, middle, and end. For essays or long answers, start with an introduction, follow with your main points, and finish with a conclusion.
8. Ignoring Word Limits
If there is a word limit, you must follow it. Writing too much or too little can hurt your score.
Tip: Practice writing answers at home within the word limit to get a good sense of how much you should write.
9. Using Slang or Informal Language
Exams need formal writing, not texting language!
Tip: Avoid using shortcuts like “u” for “you” or “gonna” instead of “going to.” Always use proper English.
10. Skipping Revision Time
Many mistakes happen simply because students don’t leave time to check their work.
Tip: Always save 5–10 minutes at the end to revise your answers. Look out for spelling, grammar, and whether you’ve answered every part of the question.
