The APA Formatting Errors Your Professor Sees Before Reading Your Argument
Your first draft looked perfect to you. Your professor saw 12 APA formatting errors before page two.
You're not alone if APA formatting feels like "the most inefficient waste of mental energy ever conceived," as one frustrated student put it on Reddit. But here's the reality: those "few points" add up. According to a study published in the Journal of European Psychology Students, over 90% of papers reviewed contained reference list errors, and 84% had in-text citation problems. The APA format mistakes that cost you points are often the same ones everyone makes.
This guide covers the formatting errors that catch students on their first APA papers—and keep catching them until someone points them out.
The Margin Mistake That Looks Right
The error: Using Word's default margins instead of APA margins.
Word's default margins are 1.25 inches on the left and right. APA requires exactly 1 inch on all sides. The difference is subtle—your paper looks fine at a glance—but your professor notices immediately.
Why it matters: Incorrect margins affect page count, which can push you over or under length requirements. They also signal that you haven't checked the basics.
The fix: In Word, go to Layout → Margins → Normal (1"). In Google Docs, File → Page Setup → set all margins to 1".
The Indent Confusion
The error: Using the Tab key to indent paragraphs instead of paragraph formatting.
Tab-based indents create inconsistent spacing. The first line might be 0.5 inches, but tabs can be set to different widths. Your professor sees paragraphs that don't align.
Why it matters: Inconsistent indentation looks sloppy and suggests you formatted manually rather than setting up your document correctly.
The fix: Set a first-line indent of 0.5 inches in paragraph formatting. In Word: Home → Paragraph → Special → First Line → 0.5". Now every paragraph indents automatically and consistently.
Line Spacing Inconsistencies
The error: Mixing single and double spacing, or using 2.0 spacing with extra space between paragraphs.
APA requires double-spacing throughout, with no extra space before or after paragraphs. Many students double-space the body but single-space block quotes, or add extra space between paragraphs "for readability."
Why it matters: Three-quarters of papers have page number or spacing issues. Inconsistent spacing is one of the first things professors check.
The fix: Select all text (Ctrl+A), then set line spacing to 2.0 with 0pt before and after paragraphs. Apply this to your entire document, including references.
The Font and Size Mix
The error: Using different fonts for headings, body text, and references.
Some students bold their headings in a different font, or paste references from a citation manager that uses a different typeface. The result: a paper that looks pieced together.
Why it matters: APA 7 allows font flexibility, but requires consistency. Mixing fonts signals a lack of attention to detail.
The fix: Pick one approved font (12pt Times New Roman is safest) and apply it to your entire document before you start writing. Check pasted content to ensure it matches.
Header and Page Number Placement
The error: Page numbers in the wrong location, or missing entirely from some pages.
APA requires page numbers in the top right corner of every page, starting with page 1 on the title page. Common mistakes: page numbers at the bottom, page numbers starting on page 2, or different placement on the title page.
Why it matters: Incorrect page numbers are immediately visible. Your professor sees this before they read your title.
The fix: Insert a header with the page number aligned right. Ensure "Different First Page" is NOT checked—APA wants the same format on every page.
Reference List vs. Bibliography Confusion
The error: Including sources you read but didn't cite, or titling the page "Bibliography" instead of "References."
A reference list contains only sources you cited in your paper. A bibliography includes everything you consulted. APA uses reference lists. The page should be titled "References" (centered, bold), not "Bibliography," "Works Cited," or "Sources."
Why it matters: Including uncited sources suggests you don't understand the distinction. Using the wrong title suggests you're following a different style guide.
The fix: Before submitting, check that every source in your reference list has at least one in-text citation, and every in-text citation has a corresponding reference. Title the page "References."
In-Text Citation Errors
The error: Missing citations, incorrect format, or citation placement issues.
With 84% of papers containing in-text citation errors, this is clearly a widespread issue. Common mistakes:
- Forgetting the date: (Smith) instead of (Smith, 2023)
- Wrong date format: (Smith, January 2023) instead of (Smith, 2023)
- Page numbers on paraphrases when not needed
- No page number on direct quotes when required
Why it matters: Citation errors undermine your credibility. If you can't cite correctly, your professor may question whether you understand the sources you're using.
The fix: Every citation needs author and year. Direct quotes need page numbers. Paraphrases don't need page numbers unless your professor requires them or you're referencing a specific passage.
The Reference List Format
The error: Inconsistent formatting across references.
Over 90% of papers have reference list errors. The most common: inconsistent capitalization, missing italics, wrong order, incorrect hanging indents.
Why it matters: Your reference list is concentrated formatting. Errors that might be overlooked in body text are obvious when they appear repeatedly in a list.
The fix:
- Hanging indent: First line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5"
- Alphabetical order by first author's last name
- Italicize titles of books, journals, and volumes
- Use sentence case for article titles (only capitalize first word and proper nouns)
For more on one of the most common reference errors, see our guide on DOI formatting mistakes.
Heading Format Errors
The error: Inconsistent heading styles or skipping heading levels.
APA has five heading levels with specific formatting. Most papers use 2-3 levels. The mistake: formatting headings based on what "looks right" rather than following the APA structure.
Why it matters: More than 86% of papers have heading format errors, according to the JEPS study. Your headings show your paper's organization at a glance. Inconsistent formatting makes your structure unclear.
The fix: See our complete guide to APA heading levels. In brief:
- Level 1: Centered, Bold
- Level 2: Flush Left, Bold
- Level 3: Flush Left, Bold Italic
Use heading styles in Word rather than manual formatting for consistency.
Why These Errors Matter
Every formatting error creates friction between your ideas and your reader. Your professor has to mentally adjust for margins that look off, headings that don't match, citations that might be incomplete. That cognitive load works against you.
The good news: these are all fixable before you submit. Once you know what to check, a formatting review adds minimal time to your process.
Check Your Paper Before Your Professor Does
StyleMyPaper scans your document for the exact errors your professor will notice—margin issues, spacing inconsistencies, citation problems, reference list formatting, and more. Upload your paper and see what needs fixing before it costs you points.