Meet Matthew: Grade 9 in His Most Stressful Subject
For Matthew H., English Literature was the subject he found hardest going into Year 11. He wanted to improve but did not want to keep asking his teachers for feedback, and he struggled to see where his essays needed work.
When results day arrived in August 2025, Matthew opened his envelope to find a Grade 9 in English Literature - 152/160 marks.
The Challenge
Matthew explained that he rarely felt motivated to write practice essays because getting useful feedback was difficult:
Having access to feedback on my essays without disturbing teachers meant I was more likely to actually do practice essays.
Without clear guidance, it was easy to feel stuck or to repeat the same mistakes without realising.
How LitMarker Helped
Using LitMarker changed his routine.
Every time Matthew submitted an essay, he received exam-board-specific feedback. Instead of vague comments, he could see which assessment objectives (AOs) he was meeting and which ones needed more work:
The feedback allowed me to see what assessment objectives I was slacking on. This made me better prepared for the real thing and more conscious of my writing.
Without waiting for a teacher to mark each response, Matthew could practise more often and act on the feedback in his next essay.
Stricter Than ChatGPT (and Why That Helped)
Matthew said that LitMarker’s feedback felt stricter than feedback from ChatGPT and Tilf:
I did personally find the marking to be slightly harsher than ChatGPT, Tilf, as well the true marking I experienced for my GCSEs. However, this in some ways motivated me to continue working, avoiding complacency.
Matthew said this stricter feedback motivated him and helped him avoid complacency. That is his experience, not proof that a lower mark is more accurate.
The Results
By the time exams came around, Matthew felt confident in his essay structure, knew which parts needed work and had practised under exam conditions. His result was:
- Exam Board: AQA
- Final Grade: 9
- Marks: 152/160
That’s just 8 marks dropped across all English Literature papers.
Takeaway: Feedback He Could Get Every Day
Matthew used regular practice and exam-board-specific feedback while preparing for the subject he found hardest. His result is one student's experience, not a promise that the same routine will produce the same grade for everyone.
Build the Same Practice Habit
If you’re going into Year 11 and aiming for top grades in English Literature, start before your mocks:
- Write practice essays regularly
- Use LitMarker to get instant, exam-board-specific feedback
- Learn which AOs you need to strengthen before it’s too late
Use each response to decide what to practise next.