9 Things You Should Never Do On an Exam

Here are some problems I've noticed as I've marked quizzes and exams in the last few weeks. If you've made any of these mistakes, take note! Your future grades will be better if you avoid these nine mistakes.

Don't:

1. Use reductions like “gonna.”
2. Write like you’re sending an SMS. “u” and “ur” are not words in English.
3. Use “and so on.” If you answer, “Which countries are in Asean?” with, “Viet Nam, Cambodia, Thailand, and so on” what kind of mark do you think you will get?
4. Use “in my opinion” when you are asked for facts.
5. Use “on the other hand” when you are not introducing a contrast.
6. Use “almost of” when you mean “most of.” Almost of Most of the Sudanese don't want another war. (Didn’t we talk about that in class?)
7. Use “everything” when you mean “anything.” They can do everything anything they want. (Check a good grammar book for the difference.)
8. Answer 5 questions when it says, “Answer 3.” Your last 2 answers will be ignored. Follow the instructions.
9. Write sloppily. After the first 40-50 exams, teachers get tired of trying to decipher messy handwriting and they become a lot less sympathetic. When they have hundreds of exams to grade, the odds are against yours being in the first 50. Write neatly!