Meet Brian: Grade 9 in Language and Grade 8 in Literature
Brian used LitMarker to mark AQA English Language and English Literature practice in 2026. He started using it seriously around March, completing roughly two to 3 essays each week.
Brian reported a Grade 5 mock or predicted grade in both subjects before he started using LitMarker. On results day, he received a Grade 9 with 128/160 in English Language and a Grade 8 with 136/160 in English Literature.
That is a rise of four grades in Language and three grades in Literature. His routine was simple: schedule practice, get each response marked and use the feedback in the next one.
The Problem: Getting Feedback While It Was Still Useful
Brian said he had struggled to get feedback on how to improve. With instant marking, he could act on it quickly:
Just feedback on how to improve and access to instant marking meant I could quickly fix mistakes.
Two Scheduled Language Sessions Each Week
Brian planned about two English Language sessions each week. Rather than completing a whole paper every time, he would work through either the first half or the second half.
He then submitted the work to LitMarker, noted the feedback and applied it alongside advice from YouTube. That gave each session a clear purpose: complete a set of questions, check the marking and record what needed to change.
See how LitMarker marks AQA essays.
Increasing Literature Practice Before the Exams
Brian also used LitMarker for English Literature. As the exams got closer, he increased the amount of essay practice he completed.
During the final three weeks, he reported writing about five Literature essays each week. Each marked response gave him another chance to apply earlier feedback under a new question.
The Mark Breakdown and Specific Feedback
When asked which feature made the biggest difference, Brian picked two parts of the marking:
Definitely the mark breakdown and specific feedback tailored to me.
The mark breakdown showed where the score came from. The tailored feedback gave Brian something specific to change in his next response.
That made the next step clearer. Instead of trying to “get better at English”, he could respond to comments on his own work and check whether the next answer improved.
The Results
- Exam board: AQA
- Grade before using LitMarker: 5 in English Language and Literature
- English Language: Grade 9, 128/160
- English Literature: Grade 8, 136/160
Brian moved from Grade 5 in both subjects to two of the highest GCSE grades. The Language result was four grades higher, while the Literature result was three grades higher.
The routine Brian described was consistent: schedule the work, get it marked, note the feedback and apply it alongside the YouTube advice he used.
Brian's Advice to Students Starting Year 11
Brian's advice is blunt:
I would say, definitely use it. It’s a very useful tool and certainly without getting your essays marked you’re cooked.
Brian's routine gives you a clear place to start. Schedule a session, complete part of a paper, get it marked and use the feedback in your next response.
Mark Your Next Essay
Upload your next English Language or Literature response to see your estimated grade, mark and feedback.