Some Common Problems Summarised

Merely listing information about the text and not answering the question
Having no detail on the context of the text at all (if it is being tested in the question)
Starting with context in the opening paragraph and then never mentioning it again.
Not having a balance of all the Assessment Objective qualities (you should know what these are – if not find out from your teacher)
Not using quotations
Using too many quotations
Abbreviating words excessively
Using the same essay you wrote in your mock to answer a different question in the exam
Not using the time well, having a huge plan and then running out of time for the answer. A brief plan is helpful.
Calling writers by their first names is too informal and bad e.g. Mary instead of Shelley (writer of Frankenstein).