How to Tackle Long-Answer Exam Questions

Long-answer exam questions carry the most marks and cause the most anxiety. The reason is rarely that students do not know enough — it is usually that they do not know how to organise what they know under time pressure. A reliable method and regular practice solve both problems.

What examiners are actually looking for

Long-answer questions — worth 6, 8, 12, or more marks — are assessing your ability to construct an argument or explanation, not simply recall facts. AQA examiner reports consistently note the same issues: answers that list facts without connecting them, answers that ignore part of the question, and answers that run out of structure after the first paragraph.

What earns marks:

A clear answer to the question asked (not a nearby question you find easier)

Evidence or examples that support each point

Explanation of how the evidence connects to the argument

Coverage of multiple angles where the question asks for them

What loses marks:

Describing rather than explaining

Repeating the same point in different words

Spending five marks' worth of effort on a two-mark point

Running out of time because you did not plan

Step 1 — Read the question twice and identify the command word

The command word tells you what to do. Misreading it is the single most common reason for losing marks on a long-answer question.

Command word | What it means
Describe | Say what something is or what happened
Explain | Say why or how — causes and mechanisms
Analyse | Break something down and examine its parts
Evaluate / Assess | Weigh up strengths and weaknesses, then reach a conclusion
Discuss | Consider multiple views or factors
To what extent | Argue a position, using evidence, and qualify your answer

Underline the command word before you do anything else.

Step 2 — Spend 2–3 minutes planning

Planning feels like it wastes time. It does not. Students who plan spend less time mid-answer wondering what to write next, and they produce more coherent responses.

A simple plan takes two to three minutes:

Write the command word at the top of your rough notes.

List the key points you want to make — two to four, depending on the marks available.

Next to each point, note the evidence or example you will use.

Decide which point is your strongest and consider putting it first or last.

Do not write full sentences in your plan. Bullet points or key words are sufficient.

Step 3 — Structure each paragraph clearly

Each paragraph of a long-answer response should do one job well. Use this structure:

Point — state the argument or claim you are making in this paragraph.

Evidence — provide a specific fact, example, or piece of data.

Explanation — explain how the evidence supports the point and connects to the question.

Link — briefly connect back to the overall question or move to your next point.

This is sometimes called PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link) or PEE. The exact label matters less than the discipline: every paragraph should have all four elements before you move on.

Step 4 — Manage your time by marks

A useful rule of thumb: spend approximately one minute per mark for long-answer questions, minus planning time. For a 12-mark question, that is roughly ten minutes writing plus two minutes planning. For an 8-mark question, six to seven minutes writing plus one to two minutes planning.

Do not spend 15 minutes on a 6-mark question while leaving a 10-mark question half-finished. The marks available signal where your effort should go.

Step 5 — Leave time to check

The final two to three minutes of your exam time should be reserved for rereading your long answers. Common errors to look for:

Did you actually answer the question, or did you drift?

Have you left any paragraph without explanation (just description)?

Did you use the command word as a guide throughout, or only in the first sentence?

For evaluate/to what extent questions: did you reach a clear conclusion?

Adding a sentence of explanation to an underdeveloped paragraph in the last minute can earn marks that would otherwise be lost.

Frequently asked questions

How do I avoid running out of things to say in a long-answer question?

Plan before you write — even a brief bullet-point list prevents you from running dry mid-answer. If you genuinely cannot think of enough points, apply a framework: for most questions, you can consider causes, effects, and responses; or short-term and long-term; or different groups of people affected. Having a structural prompt prevents the blank-mind problem under pressure.

Should I write in full sentences for long-answer questions?

Yes. Long-answer questions — particularly extended writing questions in English, history, geography, and science — require full, connected prose. Bullet points may be appropriate for lower-mark questions, but for questions worth six marks or more, examiner guidance consistently rewards coherent paragraphs. The exception is maths, where working is expected in a different format.

How do I know how much to write?

Let the mark allocation guide you. A 12-mark question warrants three to four solid paragraphs. A 6-mark question warrants two to three. Do not pad answers with repetition or irrelevant content — examiners mark on quality and relevance, not length. A concise, well-argued response typically outperforms a sprawling one that circles the same point.

What if I start writing and realise I have misread the question?

Stop, cross out what you have written (neatly, with a single line — do not obscure it in case some marks are salvageable), reread the question carefully, and start again. This is far better than continuing in the wrong direction. Examiners are aware that students sometimes misread questions; a clear correction shows self-awareness and does not carry a penalty.

For tutoring that teaches students how to construct arguments, use evidence, and write under pressure — not just what to know — visit aitutors.me.