This is a very common mistake made by Spanish learners. Identifying the times to use these different verbs is essential for a high grade and for accuracy in both written and spoken language. The mistake is made because both of these words translate in English to 'it is,' and there is only one way of saying 'it is' in English. However, in Spanish, these 2 words are used in different situations, which I will now briefly outline.
'Es' is used when describing something permanent, such as a physical or personality characteristic. E.g. That man is very tall = Ese hombre es muy alto 'Está,' however, is used to describe a temporary state. This could be a location or an emotional state.E.g. She is very sad today = Hoy, está muy triste