Misreading questions remains the most frequent error. Students rush through questions, missing critical information about what's actually being asked. Prevention: read questions twice slowly, underlining key information. Pause before answering, confirming your response addresses the actual question asked, not your interpretation.

Assuming answers without reading passage text wastes correct responses. Some students rely on background knowledge rather than passage-based information. Prevention: answer only from passage content, even when background knowledge contradicts passage information. Highlight relevant passage sections before answering.

Making careless arithmetic errors undermines numeracy scores. Rushing calculation, skipping steps, or failing to check work causes preventable mistakes. Prevention: show all working, recalculate answers before finalising, and verify reasonableness of solutions.

Overcomplicated thinking wastes time and increases error likelihood. Students sometimes overthink straightforward questions, creating complexity where simplicity suffices. Prevention: consider whether simpler solutions exist before accepting overcomplicated reasoning.

Time management failures prevent completing all questions. Students spend excessive time on difficult questions, leaving no time for easier ones. Prevention: scan entire test first, allocating time strategically. Answer easy questions first, returning to challenging questions afterward.

Forgetting to check answers before finishing wastes points. Hurrying through final questions often introduces careless errors reviewable through checking. Prevention: budget time for systematic answer review before submission.

Misunderstanding vocabulary undermines comprehension questions. Unfamiliar words confuse meaning or mislead answers. Prevention: use context clues before worrying about exact definitions. Ask teachers about challenging vocabulary during preparation.

Failing to consider all answer options reduces answer quality. Some students select first plausible options without reviewing remaining choices. Prevention: read all options systematically, eliminating wrong answers before selecting best response.

Ignoring instructions regarding response format creates technical errors. Some questions require specific answer formats; students lose marks through formatting mistakes rather than content errors. Prevention: read all instructions carefully, confirming compliance before finalising responses.

Anxiety-driven rushing causes preventable mistakes. Nervousness prompts careless errors despite adequate knowledge. Prevention: practise calming techniques, remind yourself that accuracy matters more than speed, and deliberately slow your pace during exams.