If you’re getting ready for your Grade 12 English exam, whether you’re still in school or rewriting as a GCE candidate—this article is for you.
I’m Ronald Kaunda, an experienced English teacher and exam marker, and I’ve spent years working with thousands of students preparing for English Paper 1. Over time, I’ve noticed some common mistakes that consistently lower scores—even for bright, hardworking students.
The good news? These mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to look for. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the top five mistakes students make in English exams—and how you can avoid them.
Let’s dive in.
1. Ignoring the Question Instructions
One of the biggest mistakes I see—especially in composition and comprehension sections—is students ignoring or misreading the question.
For example, the exam might say, “Discuss the causes of…,” but the student ends up merely describing the topic instead of discussing it. The result? A response that’s off-target and loses marks for relevance.
✅ How to avoid it:
Before you begin writing, take 30 seconds to highlight or underline keywords in the question:
Words like “explain,” “discuss,” “evaluate,” “compare,” and “describe” tell you exactly what to do.
Follow the instructions exactly. Doing so could be the difference between a Credit and a Distinction.
2. Poor Time Management
Many students spend too much time perfecting one section—often the essay—and then rush through comprehension or grammar. Others freeze at a difficult question and lose precious minutes in panic.
Exams are not just a test of what you know, but also of how well you can manage your time under pressure.
✅ How to avoid it:
Before the exam, create a time plan. For example, if the exam is 2 hours long and has 3 sections, allocate roughly:
- 45 minutes for composition
- 40 minutes for comprehension
- 35 minutes for grammar and proofreading
Stick to your plan. It’s better to complete all questions reasonably well than to perfect one and neglect the others.
3. Weak Essay Structure
A good number of students write essays that feel like informal conversations—with no clear beginning, middle, or end. Paragraphs are often jumbled, lack topic sentences, and don’t build logically.
Examiners are trained to reward structured, organised writing—not casual storytelling.
✅ How to avoid it:
Always plan your essay. Even a quick 3-line outline can make a difference:
- Introduction – state your main point or thesis
- Body – develop 2–3 clear paragraphs, each with one main idea
- Conclusion – summarise and close your argument or story
This structure gives your writing flow, clarity, and logic—everything examiners are looking for.
4. Overusing Big Words
It’s common to think that using “big words” will impress the examiner. But in reality, overcomplicating your language can make your writing harder to read—and cost you marks.
Some students also rely on memorised phrases that don’t fit the context, which makes the writing feel forced and unnatural.
✅ How to avoid it:
Use clear, simple language. Pretend you’re explaining your point to a younger student.
It’s better to be understood clearly than to sound clever and confuse your reader.
A well-used simple word is always more effective than a badly-used complex one.
5. Not Checking Your Work
This final mistake is one of the most frustrating—for both students and examiners.
You’ve finished writing, time’s almost up, and instead of checking your work, you stop and relax. Meanwhile, your paper is filled with spelling errors, missing punctuation, and grammar slips.
These small mistakes can add up and cost you valuable marks.
✅ How to avoid it:
Always leave 5–10 minutes at the end to check your answers.
Look for:
- Spelling and grammar
- Punctuation
- Sentence clarity
- Repetition or off-topic content
This quick review could boost your score by several marks—just by fixing easy-to-spot errors.
Bonus Tip: Think Like the Examiner
Want to stand out? Write with the examiner in mind.
Examiners are looking for:
- Clarity
- Organisation
- Relevance to the question
- Good grammar and vocabulary
If your writing checks all those boxes, your marks will reflect it.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—the top 5 mistakes students make in Grade 12 English exams and how you can avoid them.
If you can follow instructions, manage your time, structure your essays, write clearly, and proofread your work—you’re already ahead of the curve.
📥 For more help, tips, and free exam resources, visit RonaldKaunda.com
💬 And let me know in the comments:
Which of these mistakes have YOU made before—and what will you do differently next time?
Good luck, and remember: every mark counts! 🎯
