Finding misspelled words in sentences and short passages, and answering the official SEAG spelling mechanic: choose the fixed group A, B, C or D that contains the error, or choose N when there is no mistake.
Where your child meets this in real life: The official SEAG English spelling exercise uses this A-D/N proofreading mechanic. The same deliberate checking process also helps pupils proofread their own writing across the curriculum.
Spelling is questions 11 to 15 of the English section in each SEAG paper. They are multiple choice, such as finding the part of a sentence with a misspelt word.
SEAGReady breaks proofreading for spelling into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Check each fixed section of a complete sentence deliberately and choose the section containing the spelling error, or N only after every section passes.
Build a doubtful word independently, then identify the fixed A-D group containing the misspelling, choosing N only after all four groups pass.
Apply the official SEAG A-D/N spelling mechanic to complete sentences containing a demanding mix of productive patterns, irregular words and standard UK spellings.
Try three free questions from our proofreading for spelling course. They start easy and get harder, so you can see where your child's confidence runs out. If they manage the last one without a hint, this topic is probably secure. If not, the steps above show where to start.
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Anna sees this spelling line: "[A] The harbour veiw [B] was better than [C] she had expected [D] on a clear morning." She must choose A, B, C, D or N.
Which response should Anna choose?
Read across A-D before judging any one section: the sentence describes the sight from a harbour.
Step 1 of 5
Anna sees this spelling line: "[A] The harbour veiw [B] was better than [C] she had expected [D] on a clear morning." She must choose A, B, C, D or N.
Which response should Anna choose?
Choose A. In that group, "veiw" should be "view", as confirmed by review and viewpoint.
The key insight: Read across all four groups for meaning, then slow down and give each doubtful word an evidence-based check before choosing its group code.
Common mix-up: Choosing N because the complete sentence still makes sense. A spelling line can make sense while containing a misspelling. The related words review and viewpoint show that group A has reversed the i and e in view.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in proofreading for spelling, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with proofreading for spelling? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
Sitting the SEAG test this November? Read our last-month revision plan, Paper 1 vs Paper 2 and test day guide.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.
Free to start · no card needed