What is the most essential tip for scoring highly in an English Literature exam?

The most important thing for scoring highly in and English Lit essay is to constantly be contrasting and comparing your observations to other texts. This shows the examiner that not only do you know the content but you understand it well enough to use it in the context of the literary world. Examiners are particularly impressed by students who offer something fresh and interesting; if you are just regurgitating the same tired observations about a text then it can become tiresome to grade. If you can create an argument or standpoint which draws on something outside of the norm you will instantly score higher. English Literature is a subject as broad as the language it was written in! It wants you to think and be creative! As long as you can back yourself up there are no wrong answers!