Common mistakes made in exams

Not reading the question correctly

Ignoring part of a question

Misunderstanding questions e.g. define/compare/contrast/outline/analyse

Summarising the plot of a text instead of addressing the question
Mismanaging time and not finishing the paper
Ignoring the marking scheme

Repetition
Irrelevant quotations

Read more blog posts on Exam Time Management and Exam Past Papers and Marking Schemes