Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Your English SBA Project (2025 Guide)
Working on your English SBA (School-Based Assessment) project? Whether you're a student in high school or helping someone prepare, it's easy to fall into common traps that can affect your grades.
In this article, we’ll go over the top 10 mistakes students often make in their English SBA projects and how to avoid them. With this guide, you’ll be on your way to delivering a strong, organized, and impactful presentation or written assessment in 2025.
🚫 1. Choosing a vague or overly broad topic
“The world” or “social media” is too wide. Narrow your focus to something manageable like “The effects of social media on teen mental health.”
🚫 2. Copying content from the internet
Plagiarism is one of the biggest red flags. Always write in your own words and give credit when you use a source.
🚫 3. Ignoring the SBA structure
Each SBA has a required format. Skipping key sections like Introduction, Body, and Conclusion will lose you marks.
🚫 4. Weak thesis statement
Your main idea should be clear, focused, and arguable. Don’t start without a purpose.
🚫 5. Poor time management
Leaving your SBA until the last minute results in rushed work, weak arguments, and grammar errors. Plan ahead!
🚫 6. Lack of research
Every strong SBA is backed by facts. Don’t just rely on opinions — support your ideas with real data or examples.
🚫 7. Weak transitions between paragraphs
Use linking phrases like “however”, “in addition”, or “as a result” to guide your reader smoothly from one point to the next.
🚫 8. Using informal language
This is an academic task — avoid slang and keep your tone professional.
🚫 9. Forgetting to proofread
Always check for spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes before submission. Use tools like Grammarly to help.
🚫 10. Not practicing your oral presentation
If your SBA includes an oral component, practice it out loud. Poor delivery can ruin even a well-written paper.
✅ Bonus Tip: Read a high-scoring SBA
Before you start, it helps to look at sample SBA projects that scored well. Learn what they did right — and apply it!
Need topic ideas? Check out our viral post: 50 Creative English SBA Topics for High School Students
Updated for students preparing for the 2025 academic year.