Marking your own GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature papers can be one of the most effective ways to improve your writing skills and boost your grades. But how do you do it properly?
Unlike GCSE Maths or Science, where answers are either right or wrong, English is more subjective. This makes self-marking tricky, but with the right approach, you can identify your strengths, fix weaknesses, and learn what examiners are looking for.
There are a few key reasons why self-marking is a great revision strategy:
Before you start marking, download the mark scheme for your exam board:
One of the best ways to mark your own paper is by comparing your answer to a top-scoring example. At Solved Past Papers, you can find real GCSE English answers from past students.
Examiners mark GCSE English answers based on specific Assessment Objectives (AOs). Understanding these will help you see where you’re gaining or losing marks.
When self-marking, it helps to highlight different elements of your answer in different colours:
After marking, give yourself an estimated grade based on the mark scheme. Then, reflect on your answer:
If you want to improve your answers, studying high-scoring responses is key. At Solved Past Papers, you can access real GCSE English answers written by past students, see examiner-style feedback, and even upload your own solved papers to help others (and earn money!).
Learning how to mark your own GCSE English paper will help you write stronger answers and understand how to hit the top grades. Whether you’re preparing for English Language or Literature, practicing with past papers and comparing your answers to high-quality examples is the best way to improve.
Check out Solved Past Papers for more GCSE revision help!