Generally speaking, the one thing you should keep in mind as you do your exam is: Make it easy for the marker.

• Use a black pen.
• Write on one side of the page only.
• Try to avoid writing extra pieces in margins that are linked by asterisks, arrows, etc.
• Read and follow all key instructions.  For example, if you are asked to provide a title to a response, than make sure you do.
• Write in the correct genre/form and sustain it throughout.  For example, if you are asked to write a speech, make sure it is clearly a speecg from beginning to end.  If you are asked to write a letter, make sure it has a salutation and address at the start, reads like a letter throughout the response and has a farewell or something similar at the end.
• Try, as much as you can, to write clearly and legibly.  Perhaps leave a line between paragraphs.  Don’t be afraid of white space - it makes reading easier.
• Practice the key conventions that demonstrate mastery of English:  the correct use of apostrophe, the correct title conventions (either underlining or using inverted commas), the full use of a text’s title at least once and the correct spelling of key character names and composer’s names (at least).
• If you have time during the exam, quickly proofread your work and check the pages are in the right order and that as many mistakes as you can find are corrected.  (Examiners understand you are underpressure and that this is a first draft but demonstration of control of the key conventions is the mark of a more sophisticated response).
• You may also be required to write a more personal response, which includes your ability to demonstrate you have reflected personally on the effect of studying a particular module or area of study.  Think through how to do this.