Just like any other subject, you need to revise for your English Literature exam. While English exams do not have hard and fast answers that you can learn it’s still important to prepare for any of the possible types of questions that could come up to get the best grades you can.

Whether you’re revising for English Literature GCSE or A-Level the marking scheme may differ. As a starting point, ask your teacher what exam board is marking your exam and find their English Literature marking scheme online.

Study guides are a good way to remind you how to identify the plot, themes and historical context of a text and may give you new ideas. However, don’t make study guides the whole basis of your preparation. Familiarity with the original texts you have studied can’t be replaced with Cliff Notes so make sure you’ve read and analysed them thoroughly before exam day.

Use the texts to analyse literary techniques and make notes of them for key characters and themes in the text. Focus on how the author is using specific literary methods to promote character development and the plot as a whole.

Past GCSE English exam papers are a great way to check on your preparation. These are available for download online from various websites and prepare you for the types of questions you’re going to be asked as well as giving you the opportunity to practice using quotes and textual analysis from specific texts to form your argument. At the start you might take an exam with your notes at hand to help you. On your later attempts do it under exam conditions with no helping material and complete the exam within the allotted time.

It is difficult to be objective when marking English exams so your best bet is to give your answers to a teacher or tutor so they can mark your work based on the marking scheme for the exam you are sitting. They will help you to identify whether you’ve met the criteria required by the marking scheme, where you are lacking and provide tips on areas you need to improve on.

The most difficult thing about English exams is that you don’t know exactly what you will be asked. However, if you practice your critical skills and the techniques highlighted above and have sat past GCSE English exam papers you will be well prepared for whatever the examiners come up with.