How to Avoid these?
Whether you’re preparing for your final Cambridge O Levels or A Level exams, there’s one thing you need to know: even brilliant students lose marks because of avoidable mistakes.
At Crux Online Academy, we’ve worked with hundreds of learners across Cambridge, Edexcel, and other boards. And time after time, we see the same problems holding students back.
Here are the 7 most common mistakes students make in O/A Level exams—and how YOU can avoid them to get the grade you deserve.
✅ 1. Cramming at the Last Minute
The Mistake: Leaving all revision to the final 2 weeks, then pulling all-nighters in panic mode.
The Result: Poor retention, mental exhaustion, and blank moments during exams.
📌 Crux Tip:
Start with spaced repetition months in advance. Create a weekly revision calendar, mixing subjects and including regular past paper sessions.
✅ 2. Ignoring the Mark Scheme
The Mistake: Writing beautiful answers that don’t match what the examiner is looking for.
The Result: You think you did well, but your marks say otherwise.
📌 Crux Tip:
Download the official mark schemes and use them to check every past paper you attempt. Understand keywords, command terms, and how marks are awarded.
✅ 3. Poor Time Management in the Exam
The Mistake: Spending too much time on one question, then rushing through the rest.
The Result: Unanswered or poorly written questions—even if you knew the content.
📌 Crux Tip:
Use the 10-minute-per-10-marks rule. Keep a watch or timer visible during practice and exams to stay on pace.
✅ 4. Not Practicing Enough Past Papers
The Mistake: Reading the textbook endlessly, but never applying the knowledge.
The Result: You freeze when asked to apply theory in exam-style questions.
📌 Crux Tip:
Start practicing at least 1 past paper per subject per week, even early in the year. Focus on timing, structure, and self-correction.
✅ 5. Weak Command Over Exam Language
The Mistake: Misunderstanding words like evaluate, compare, justify, or define.
The Result: You answer the question incorrectly even though your content is right.
📌 Crux Tip:
Study a list of command words specific to your board. Practice writing sample responses that match each term’s demand.
✅ 6. Skipping Difficult Topics
The Mistake: Focusing only on “easy” chapters and hoping the tough ones don’t show up.
The Result: Panic when exactly those questions appear in the exam.
📌 Crux Tip:
Face the hard stuff first. Use videos, notes, and tutor support to simplify complex concepts. Tackling weak topics early builds confidence.
✅ 7. Not Asking for Help Early Enough
The Mistake: Staying silent when you don’t understand a topic.
The Result: Gaps build up until it’s too late to fix them alone.
📌 Crux Tip:
Get help early. A tutor can explain in 15 minutes what you may spend days struggling with. At Crux, we match students with experts who specialize in their exam board and subject.
✨ Final Thought: Learn From Mistakes—Don’t Repeat Them
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be prepared.
The difference between a C and an A is often just better strategy—not more study hours.
Learn what mistakes students make in O/A Level exams, then flip them into strengths. With a clear plan and the right support, you’re closer to success than you think.
📚 Want to Avoid These Mistakes for Good?
Join Crux Online Academy and get personalized guidance that helps you study smarter, not harder.
👉 Book Your Free Crux Consultation Today
