Top 5 APA 7 Mistakes Graduate Students Should Avoid

Formatting a dissertation according to APA 7 guidelines can be overwhelming, even for the most diligent graduate students. Universities often require strict adherence to APA standards for final submission, and even small mistakes can result in lost points, revisions, or delayed graduation. Many students struggle to keep up with the changes introduced in APA 7, especially after working with older formatting guides. At Phoenix Blue Academic Editing Services, I help students polish their writing and meet APA 7 standards with confidence. Here are the top five APA mistakes I see and how you can avoid them.

1. Incorrect Running Head Formatting

Under APA 7, only professional papers (not student papers) require a running head. Yet many students still incorrectly format it or include unnecessary text.

Tip: Check if your institution requires a running head, and if so, format it correctly: flush left, all caps, no “Running head:” label.

A correctly formatted running head improves the professional appearance of your document and helps meet institutional requirements without last-minute corrections.

2. Improper Use of Headings

Headings organize your paper and guide the reader through your argument, but many students either forget to use them or apply heading levels incorrectly. APA 7 uses a structured hierarchy to maintain clarity and flow throughout the text.

Tip: Follow APA’s structured heading system carefully. Use boldface for Level 1 and Level 2 headings. Only Level 3 headings use bold italics, while Level 4 and Level 5 are indented with paragraph text. Always ensure that each heading matches the structure and flow of your content.

Correct headings not only meet formatting standards but also enhance your paper’s readability, making it easier for reviewers to follow your arguments.

3. Inconsistent In-Text Citations

Some of the most frequent in-text citation mistakes are missing commas, wrong dates, inconsistent punctuation, and author misnaming. These small errors quickly accumulate and can impact the overall credibility of your academic work.

Tip: Always double-check author names, publication years, and punctuation in your citations. While tools like Zotero, EndNote, or citation generators can help automate references, it is critical to manually review citations for APA 7 accuracy.

Taking a few extra minutes to verify your in-text citations can save you from costly revision requests later.

4. Errors in Reference Lists

APA formatting requires a very particular format for the reference page, including hanging indents, specific italicization rules, and proper DOI or URL formats. Many students miss small but important details, such as incorrect capitalization of article titles or missing retrieval information.

Tip: Carefully cross-check your references against the APA 7 manual or a reliable resource like Purdue OWL. Ensure journal names are capitalized and italicized correctly, and that DOIs and URLs are active and properly formatted.

A polished reference list signals thoroughness to dissertation committees and journal editors alike.

5. Overlooking Consistent Formatting Details

Margins, font choices, page numbers, and spacing are often inconsistently applied throughout a dissertation. Even small inconsistencies can stand out to reviewers and leave a poor impression.

Tip: Stick to APA-recommended fonts such as Times New Roman (12 pt.), Arial (11 pt.), or Calibri (11 pt.). Confirm that all margins are exactly one inch and that pagination is consistent throughout your document.

Consistency reflects professionalism and attention to detail—qualities that dissertation committees highly value.

Quick Fixes for APA 7 Formatting

Here’s a simple table summarizing the common mistakes and easy solutions:

Common Mistake	How to Fix It
Running Head Errors	Use all caps, no "Running head:" label
Heading Problems	Follow APA 7 heading hierarchy with boldface
Citation Mistakes	Double-check author names, punctuation, and dates
Reference List Errors	Use hanging indents, correct italics, and proper DOI/URL format
Formatting Inconsistencies	Stick to APA-approved fonts and one-inch margins

Taking time to check each area before final submission can significantly reduce the risk of formatting-related revision requests.

Conclusion

Mastering APA 7 formatting is an essential part of producing a professional dissertation. While it may seem tedious, attention to these small but critical details can greatly improve the overall quality and credibility of your work. At Phoenix Blue Academic Editing Services, I work closely with students to ensure their documents meet institutional guidelines and are ready for submission without unnecessary delays.

Don’t let formatting errors derail your hard work; get the professional support you need to succeed.

Need Help?

If you’re preparing your dissertation or thesis and want professional editing or APA 7 formatting support, request a personalized quote today from Phoenix Blue Academic Editing Services. Fast, affordable, and trusted by graduate students nationwide.