Exams can be stressful, especially when you’re unsure of what the examiner really expects. That’s where the examiner’s report becomes an invaluable resource. Whether you’re an O-Level, A-Level, or IGCSE student or a private candidate, understanding examiner feedback can give you the edge you need to excel in your exams.
In this guide, we’ll break down what an examiner report is, how it’s structured, why it’s essential, and how both students and educators can use it to boost academic performance.
What is an Examiner report?
An examiner’s report is an official document published by examination boards after each exam series. It provides a detailed summary of how students performed on each question, highlighting common mistakes, areas of strength, and specific recommendations from the examiner’s perspective.
Unlike a marking scheme, which only outlines the distribution of marks for answers, an examiner report offers real insight into examiner expectations and student responses during the actual marking process.
Who writes examiner reports?
Examiner reports are usually written by senior examiners, experienced professionals who lead the marking process. They are released shortly after results are published, typically once the grading and review process is finalised.
Depending on the exam board (e.g., Edexcel vs Cambridge), the format, tone, and depth of these reports can vary. Some are highly detailed, while others provide brief commentary.
Why do examiner reports matter?
These reports are more than just summaries; they are powerful learning tools. Here’s why:
- They pinpoint common student errors.
- They help you understand what distinguishes a good answer from an excellent one.
- They provide examiner commentary on how students interpreted (or misinterpreted) questions.
- They guide both self-study and teaching strategies.
For students aiming for high performance, this feedback can be the difference between a B and an A*.
Typical structure of an examiner’s report:
Understanding the structure helps you make better use of the information. Most examiner reports include:
- Overview of the exam session
A general commentary on how the paper was received and overall student performance. - Question-by-question breakdown
Each question is analysed in terms of how well students performed, common issues, and what examiners expected. - Model responses and commentary
Some reports include sample answers or descriptions of high-scoring responses. - General advice
Examiners share tips on how students can better manage their time, structure answers, or interpret command words.
How Students Should Use Examiner Reports:
Whether you’re preparing with a school teacher or working with an O-level tutor or A-level tutor, examiner reports can be integrated into your revision plan effectively.
Here’s how:
- After completing past papers, compare your answers with the examiner’s commentary to see how you can improve.
- Identify repeated mistakes that appear across multiple sessions—these are key areas to focus on.
- Understand how specific phrasing or terminology can earn or lose marks.
- Use examiner feedback to practice time-efficient answering strategies.
When combined with O-level past papers and other study resources, examiner reports offer a more targeted and intelligent revision method.
How Educators and Tutors Can Leverage Examiner Reports:
For educators, examiner reports are goldmines of diagnostic information. They can:
- Guide lesson planning by highlighting the topics students struggle with.
- Be used in class to review sample questions and model answers.
- Help develop mock exams that reflect real-world challenges.
- Serve as a feedback tool for students preparing under the Cambridge O-level syllabus or other boards.
By reviewing these reports regularly, educators can ensure their teaching methods align closely with what the exam boards are looking for.
Where to Find Examiner Reports:
You can typically find examiner reports on the official websites of exam boards like Cambridge International, Edexcel, or AQA. Many schools also distribute these directly to students.
If you’re a private candidate or an independent learner, you can find them through educational forums, revision websites, or by consulting your school or tutor.
Reliable resources of Examiner reports:
Pro tip: After checking your IGCSE results, download the latest examiner report for each subject to understand exactly how others performed and what examiners expected.
Tips for Effective Use:
- Pair them with past papers: Attempt a paper, then evaluate your performance using the corresponding examiner report.
- Create a “mistake log”: Track repeated errors mentioned by examiners to avoid them in your next attempt.
- Highlight keywords: Learn how examiners interpret command words like “evaluate,” “compare,” or “analyze.”
- Discuss in study groups: Use examiner feedback to fuel healthy academic discussions and peer marking.
Conclusion:
An examiner report is not just a post-exam document—it’s a roadmap to exam excellence. By understanding examiner expectations and learning from past mistakes, students can refine their exam techniques and maximize their scores.
Whether you’re tackling science subjects, humanities, or languages, integrating examiner feedback into your study routine can drastically improve your academic outcomes.
If you haven’t explored these reports yet, now is the perfect time to start. Your next exam success could depend on it. Enrol with VACE Global to get support from expert tuition teachers to help you learn and examine examiners’ reports.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between an examiner’s report and a marking scheme?
A marking scheme outlines how marks are awarded for each question, while an examiner report provides detailed commentary on how students performed, common mistakes, and examiner recommendations for improvement.
2. Are examiner reports available for all subjects and exam boards?
Most major exam boards like Cambridge, Edexcel, and AQA release examiner reports for core subjects after each exam session. However, not all subjects or series may have publicly available reports.
3. How can I use examiner reports to improve my exam preparation?
You can use examiner reports to understand common mistakes, refine your answering technique, and align your responses with examiner expectations. They’re especially effective when used alongside past papers and guided feedback.
4. Can private candidates or homeschoolers access examiner reports?
Yes, examiner reports are usually available for free on official exam board websites, making them accessible to private candidates, homeschoolers, and independent learners.
5. When are examiner reports usually released?
Examiner reports are typically released shortly after exam results are published, often within a few weeks. You can find them on the exam board’s website or request them through your school or tutor.