What happens if a candidate does not keep to the word limit in Paper 1, Part 2?

Candidates are advised to keep to the guidance given in the question paper of writing 300-400 words for their response in Part 2. Examiners will read everything that the candidate has written for Part 2, even if the response is shorter or longer than the given guidance. Responses which are too short or too long are likely to be self-penalising as they are unlikely to be very detailed and also well-structured.