Exam Tips Part One

Exam tips …: 

Exam tips … Paper One, Questions 1, 2 and 3

A General Point … : 

A General Point … You don’t have to do the questions in order. You could …. start with the ones you think you can do best start with the ones which carry most marks

And another …: 

And another … You have 90 minutes, minus reading time, to get 100 marks. Aim for 2 marks per minute of writing time. Keep your points short – use abbreviations, no need for complete sentences, don’t waste time correcting spleeling mistakes (except for terminology) Keep your points short – you don’t have to explain in detail what you mean.

And one more …: 

And one more … Remember that you don’t have to say everything. For most points there will usually be two or three times as many points which you could make than those which you have to make. Read the rubric carefully and if the number/type of points is specified, stick to it. Where the number isn’t specified, work it out from the marking scheme.

And this really is the last …: 

And this really is the last … Your final grade depends on the marks gained over the whole exam. You don’t have to pass individual tasks or papers. Minimise time spent thinking about things you don’t know. If you don’t know the answer, go on to something you can do more easily. Spend the time on the things you can do – leave the things you can’t till the end. Leave white space between points and sections and come back if you have time.

Paper 1 Task 1: 

Paper 1 Task 1 Provide terms for 6 definitions – 6 marks 5 mins – do you need that much? The only thing you need to do in this question is give the term. Don't waste time giving further information, examples etc. Don't give alternative answers. If there are common alternative terms for a definition, Cambridge will know about it. If you give alternatives and one is wrong, you will not receive a mark. spell terms correctly. Incorrect spelling is counted as wrong lay out your answers clearly. NB : The largest number of incorrect answers in the Dec 2008 exam was in the area of phonology

Paper 1 Task 2: 

Paper 1 Task 2 Provide definitions and an example for 4 out of 5 terms – 12 marks / 15 mins A total of three marks are available per answer. - one mark for the basic definition - one mark for a further point made - one mark for a correct example Do the ones you’re sure of as quickly as you can. If in doubt about any – leave them and go on : better to pick up marks writing about things where you’re sure you’re right. Come back at the end and finish them quickly

Paper 1 Task 2: 

Paper 1 Task 2 do not write about more than four of the terms give a basic definition as well as further information about each term provide an example lay your answers out clearly

Paper 1 Task 3: 

Paper 1 Task 3 Analysis of a speaking or writing activity (specify 5 key subskills/discourse features) 15 marks / 15 minutes One mark is awarded for each subskill / discourse feature correctly identified A further two marks are awarded for each correct example / illustration

Paper 1 Task 3: 

Paper 1 Task 3 Think about …. - genre features - general features of spoken/written discourse - functions necessary for this activity You must give an example of each Your example must be specific to the activity

Paper 1 Task 3: 

Paper 1 Task 3 Layout simply list the points you want to make. Avoid wasting time on introductions, summaries or conclusions use bullet points or a similar format