Common Examiner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

19. Common Examiner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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Why This Topic is Essential

• Students often know the content but still lose marks

• The reason is:

  • technical mistakes, not lack of understanding

• Examiner reports consistently highlight:

  • repetition

  • vague answers

  • ignoring command words

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Most Common Mistakes in Paper 1

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1. Not Following Command Words

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Problem

• Question asks:

  • Identify → student explains

  • Explain → student copies

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Solution

• Always:

  • identify command word first

  • match answer style

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2. Copying Instead of Paraphrasing

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Problem

• copying phrases in:

  • Q1 own words

  • summary

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Result

• writing marks lost

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Solution

• always:

  • break → replace → rebuild

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3. Giving Vague Answers

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Problem

• answers like:

  • “it is bad”

  • “he feels upset”

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Result

• no marks

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Solution

• use:

  • precise vocabulary

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4. Repetition of Ideas

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Problem

• same idea written in different words

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Example

• scared

• frightened

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Result

• only 1 mark

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Solution

• ensure each point is:

  • different

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course

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5. No Supporting Evidence

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Problem

• point given without proof

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Example

• he is scared

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Result

• incomplete answer

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Solution

• always:

  • add evidence

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6. Literal Language Analysis

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Problem

• describing instead of analysing

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Example

• “it shows the sky is red”

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Result

• weak answer

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Solution

• explain:

  • effect

  • image

  • feeling

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7. Overwriting

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Problem

• writing too much

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Result

• wastes time

• no extra marks

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Solution

• be:

  • concise

  • precise

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8. Missing Required Number of Points

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Problem

• question asks for 3

• student gives 2

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Result

• marks lost

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Solution

• always check:

  • marks vs number of points

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9. Poor Summary Selection

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Problem

• including:

  • examples

  • irrelevant details

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Result

• content marks lost

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Solution

• focus only on:

  • main points

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10. Disorganised Summary Writing

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Problem

• no flow

• disconnected ideas

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Result

• writing marks lost

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Solution

• write:

  • clear paragraph

  • linked ideas

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course

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Hidden Examiner Expectations

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1. Precision Over Length

• short, correct answer > long answer

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2. Clarity Over Complexity

• simple clear language preferred

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3. Relevance Over Quantity

• only relevant ideas rewarded

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Top Student Behaviour

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• reads question carefully

• answers exactly what is asked

• avoids unnecessary writing

• checks answers

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Quick Error Checklist

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Before moving on, ask:

• Did I follow command word?

• Did I give correct number of points?

• Did I avoid repetition?

• Did I support my answer?

• Did I stay relevant?

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Final Strategy

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• Focus on:

  • avoiding mistakes

• Not just:

  • adding content

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Final Insight

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• Most students lose marks in predictable ways

• Students who:

  • avoid these mistakes

→ gain marks easily without extra effort

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course