HELP I accidentally used a highlighter in the answer of my exam

10

I’m such an idiot I had so many quotes and I kinda forgot I was doing my actual GCSE English Lit paper!!! So I was highlighting my quotes in my test like my English teacher had us do in lesson and didn’t even realise I’m such an idiot 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲 what do I do?!

Reply 1

Anonyhairmouse

8

Lmao how tf did u manage that

It won’t get marked because they scan it in and it won’t be able to read highlighter

Reply 2

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

As I'm sure you know, the papers are digitally scanned so they can be more easily sent to examiners around the country. The highlighting is likely to impact the scanning process, and mean that text doesn't scan properly - potentially making your quotes illegible.

However, if there are any image quality issues and the examiners can't read any parts of the paper, or the scanner itself detects that the scanned images don't meet quality control, the paper will sent for traditional marking.

It's not like you're the first person to have used a highlighter in an exam. It's probably best to leave your highlighters at home on exam days, though!

Reply 3

_Robyn_

17

Original post by Glumdrops

I’m such an idiot I had so many quotes and I kinda forgot I was doing my actual GCSE English Lit paper!!! So I was highlighting my quotes in my test like my English teacher had us do in lesson and didn’t even realise I’m such an idiot 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲 what do I do?!

I don't think there is much you can do tbh. They get scanned and highlighter doesn't show up. So if the examiner sees gaps in your writing they may request to mark it physically. If you are really worried try contacting someone maybe to see if they can do anything and to get it marked physically. Don't panic this happens often it'll be fine

Reply 4

skylark2

18

What you do now is you go through your pencil case and take out everything you shouldn't use on an exam paper so you physically can't make silly mistakes like that when you're stressed. I'm surprised there wasn't a check made of what you were taking into the exam before everyone's first exam, to be honest, but that's water under the bridge.

Like others have said, they'll sort it out.

Reply 5

Glumdrops

OP

10

Original post by _Robyn_

I don't think there is much you can do tbh. They get scanned and highlighter doesn't show up. So if the examiner sees gaps in your writing they may request to mark it physically. If you are really worried try contacting someone maybe to see if they can do anything and to get it marked physically. Don't panic this happens often it'll be fine

Thankyou that has given me a lot of peace of mind xxx I’ll try

Reply 6

_Robyn_

17

Original post by Glumdrops

Thankyou that has given me a lot of peace of mind xxx I’ll try

No worries. Hope it works out for you :smile:

Reply 7

enkiey

2

Original post by Glumdrops

I’m such an idiot I had so many quotes and I kinda forgot I was doing my actual GCSE English Lit paper!!! So I was highlighting my quotes in my test like my English teacher had us do in lesson and didn’t even realise I’m such an idiot 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲 what do I do?!

did anything happen to you because i accidently did the same thing today

Reply 8

Glumdrops

OP

10

Original post by enkiey

did anything happen to you because i accidently did the same thing today

Hi lovely, I’m about to do my A levels now, I did this during my GCSEs and it was fine don’t worry about it. I used a goofy purple highlighter too lmao. Don’t panic I promise you’re fine.

Reply 9

pb1234567890:)

3

Original post by Glumdrops

Hi lovely, I’m about to do my A levels now, I did this during my GCSEs and it was fine don’t worry about it. I used a goofy purple highlighter too lmao. Don’t panic I promise you’re fine.

Hiya, I did something similar today. I used the highlighter for underlining and separating different parts of the question to understand it. Although I didn't do it in the answer itself, I did it in my plan (which was in the answer booklet to check things off as that is what I did in my mock), the examiner will not need to see my plan but I am still a bit worried about what happened and whether the examiner will be able to see the writing underneath if it is scanned.

Reply 10

Glumdrops

OP

10

Original post by pb1234567890:)

Hiya, I did something similar today. I used the highlighter for underlining and separating different parts of the question to understand it. Although I didn't do it in the answer itself, I did it in my plan (which was in the answer booklet to check things off as that is what I did in my mock), the examiner will not need to see my plan but I am still a bit worried about what happened and whether the examiner will be able to see the writing underneath if it is scanned.

Yes they will, don’t worry!

Reply 11

Noah423

Original post by Glumdrops

I’m such an idiot I had so many quotes and I kinda forgot I was doing my actual GCSE English Lit paper!!! So I was highlighting my quotes in my test like my English teacher had us do in lesson and didn’t even realise I’m such an idiot 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲 what do I do?!

Hey, don’t stress too much—it happens! First, remember that examiners are more focused on the content of your answers than the way they’re presented. If the highlighting didn’t obscure any text and your answers are still legible, you should be okay. If you’re really worried, you could mention it to your teacher or invigilator, just to put your mind at ease. But honestly, they’re looking for your understanding of the material, so focus on that and try not to worry too much!

Reply 12

Himani Paneru

1

Original post by Glumdrops

I’m such an idiot I had so many quotes and I kinda forgot I was doing my actual GCSE English Lit paper!!! So I was highlighting my quotes in my test like my English teacher had us do in lesson and didn’t even realise I’m such an idiot 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲 what do I do?!

I also did the same.. what happened to your marks were it deducted?

HELP I accidentally used a highlighter in the answer of my exam

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