Common APA formatting mistakes (and how to avoid them)

APA formatting (7th edition) may seem like a detail, but reviewers do check it. These are the mistakes that cost the most points and how to fix them before submitting.

1. Direct quotes without page numbers

Every direct quote (in quotation marks) must include the page. Omitting it is a frequent, penalized mistake. Example: (Smith, 2022, p. 34).

2. References missing from the text (and vice versa)

Every source cited in the text must be in the references, and every reference must be cited at least once. This is the most common inconsistency; check it with a per-author search.

3. Poorly hierarchized headings

APA uses five heading levels. Mixing them or skipping levels breaks the structure. Define your hierarchy from the start and be consistent.

4. Tables and figures not in APA format

Tables need a number, italic title, footnotes and no unnecessary vertical lines. Figures need a number and title above. Many theses lose points here out of carelessness.

5. Spacing, font and margins

Double spacing, Times New Roman 12 or equivalent, 2.54 cm margins. These are the first things noticed when opening the document.