Questions on the GCSE often ask students to reflect upon how pieces of literature fit into the grand scheme of written language. Make a timeline containing the major schools of literature as well as major literary works. Review this timeline in the weeks leading up to your exam.
Review the characteristics of each period, and consider the social events during that time that may have lead to the production of major works in that period. For example, Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" was written during the 1950s McCarthyism period of American history and inspired by the Salem witch trials that took place 250 hundred years before. Expanding your knowledge of this society/literature connection lets you better answer questions about theme and explain the significance of major works.
GCSE questions often consist of multiple parts. To ensure that you do not inadvertently skip a part of a GCSE question, number your question parts when taking the test. Before settling upon your answer, review your numbered questions and ensure that you have fully addressed all parts before moving on.
Avoid making statements without backing them up. Even simple statements such as, "Jane Austen changed the face of literature," must be backed up with supports. By backing up any statement that you make you not only prove your point to test graders but also further demonstrate your understanding of the works of literature you are discussing.
The GCSE is not specifically graded for grammatical correctness. However, excessive spelling and grammar errors can make you seem sloppy and may result in a score reduction. Your test grader will likely look more highly upon your written responses if they are neat and clear. If time remains when taking your GCSE, look over your responses and correct any errors in spelling or grammar.