This section gives advice on the best way to approach different tasks in language examinations.
 

GENERAL
 

1, LEARN AS MUCH ABOUT THE TEST AS POSSIBLE

It’s important to have up-to-date information about the test. You should have a clear ’map’ of the exam in your mind and know what is coming next. You can familarize yourself with the test design by taking practice tests.

2, MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR PREPARATION TIME

Naturally, the sooner you begin training, the better, but no matter when you begin, you need to get the most out of your preparation time. Draw up an hour-by-hour schedule of your activities.

3, BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION WHEN YOU TAKE THE TEST

You should eat healthful foods and get some exercise during the time you are preparing for the test. The most important concern, however, is that you should not become exhausted during your preparation time. If you aren’t getting enough sleep you need to reduce your study time or cut back on some other activity. This is especially important during the last few days before the exam.

4, ORGANIZE THE LAST FEW DAYS BEFORE THE EXAM CAREFULLY

Don’t try to ‘cram’ during the last few days before you take the test. Last-minute studying probably won’t help your score and will leave you tired. You need to be alert for the test. The night before the test, don’t study at all. On the day of the exam, wear comfortable clothing because you will be sitting in the same position for a long time. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the testing centre. If you have to rush, that will only add to your stress.

5, USE TIME WISELY DURING THE TEST

In the Reading / Writing / Listening sections of most exams there is no time limit on individual items, but you need to be careful to give yourself a chance to answer all the questions. You need to find a balance between speed and accuracy. Work steadily. Never let yourself get stuck on an item. If you are unable to decide on an answer, guess and go on.

6, LEARN TO FIGHT TEST ANXIETY

In most cases, a lot depends on these ‘high-stakes’ tests. They can have a major influence on your plans for your education and career. A little nervousness is normal and it can actually help by making you more alert and focused. However, too much nervousness can slow you down and cause you to make mistakes.

If you begin to feel extremely anxious during the test, try taking a very short break – a ‘ten-second vacation’. Close your eyes or look away from the monitor and lean back in your chair. Take a few deep breaths, shake out your hands, roll your head on your neck, and relax. Then get right back to work.

A positive, confident attitude toward the exam can help you overcome anxiety. Think of the test not as a test of your knowledge or of you as a person but as an intellectual challenge, a puzzle to be solved.
 

READING
 

MULTIPLE MATCHING

• Look at the title or headline, then quickly read through the first few paragraphs to get a general idea of what the text is about. Then read the headings or summary sentences.
• Then as you read each paragraph carefully, underline four or five words which together give the main idea of what the paragraph is about.
• Read each paragraph several times and try to match the paragraph to one of the headings or summary sentences.
• Keep an open mind and be prepared to change your answers as you read further into the text.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

• Quickly read through the first few paragraphs of the text to get an idea of what the text is about. Then read the whole text carefully.
• When answering the questions, first decide which part of the text a question relates to.
• Before deciding which option (A, B, C or D) is correct, find reasons in the text to eliminate the other three options.
• When answering questions about the whole text, think about the layout, the type of information the text contains and its style.

GAPPED TEXT

• First predict from the title or headline what the text might be about and quickly read through the text to confirm this.
• Read the paragraphs or sentences that go in the gaps and identify what the topic of each one is. Use this information to work out how they might logically fit into the sequence of the text.
• Think about what the articles, pronouns, conjunctions and time expressions in the paragraphs or sentences might refer to.
• Closely read the sentences before and after each gap, and work out what function the missing sentence or paragraph must have.
• Make your decisions, not necessarily in order. After filling most of the gaps you may be able to work by a process of elimination.
• Finally, when you have made all your decisions, read through your completed text to make sure it makes sense.

MULTIPLE MATCHING OR SELECTION

• Quickly familiarise yourself with the main text, the title and headings and how the text is divided up. Then read the questions.
• Read the text to locate information rather than to understand it in detail. Look at each question and then scan the text to locate where the information might be found.
• When you think you have located the correct information, decide whether the word or phrase you have located in the text is an accurate paraphrase of the word or phrase in the question.
• Be prepared to change your first answers, because you may change your mind when you read the text further in search of another piece of information.
• Mark the places in the text where you locate answers so that you can quickly check through at the end.

WRITING
 

TRANSACTIONAL LETTERS

• Read all the information included in the question very carefully and underline all the points you are told to include.
• Before writing, decide:

— your reason for writing;

— who you are writing to and how this will affect your style of writing;

— what result you hope the letter will achieve.

• Make a draft or outline of the letter to check that you have included all the points and grouped or organised them in a logical way.
• Read your letter through when it is written and think about the person who is going to receive it and whether it would have the right effect.

LETTER, ARTICLE, COMPOSITION, ETC.

• Choose a question where you have a good idea of the style and format the piece of writing requires.
• Answer the question. Do not just write in a general way or make something you have written before try to fit the question.
• Follow this procedure for writing:

— brainstorm your ideas on paper;

 — organise and link your ideas;

— write a first draft;

— edit your first draft;

— write your final draft.

• Go into the exam with a clear idea of the kinds of writing mistakes you often make, then when you are editing your work, keep a special look-out for these kinds of mistakes.

LISTENING
 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

• You may have to pay attention to the stress and intonation, the speed at which the speakers speak and/or their sex, rote, age, manner, hesitation, etc.
• Listen for information which helps you to eliminate wrong options as well as identify correct ones.
   

NOTE TAKING OR BLANK FILLING

• Questions in both types of task follow the same sequence as the information heard on the recording.
• You will not lose a mark for incorrect spelling if it is clear what word you intended to write, except where a word is spelt out for you on the recording.
• Try to write down an answer to all the questions as you listen to the recording the first time and then confirm whether your answer is right or needs changing as you listen the second time.
   

MULTIPLE MATCHING 

• Read the questions through carefully beforehand in the time you are given. Think about the focus of the question. For example, are you listening to decide on the speaker, the place, etc.?
• Don't try to understand every word or every part of the listening text. Concentrate on listening for ideas or words on the recording that relate to key words in the questions.
• Try to write down the answers when you hear the recording the first time and then confirm or change them the second time you hear the recording.
   

MULTIPLE CHOICE OR SELECTION

• Use the time you are given before the recording starts to read through the questions and think about the options. Predict, for example, what you might hear on the recording if something is true or what you might hear if it is false.
• The information is given on the recording in the same order as the questions, so make sure you focus on the right question at the right time.
• Try to note down the answers the first time you hear the recording and then confirm or change them the second time you listen.

SPEAKING

INTERVIEW

• Relax!
• Listen carefully to the interlocutor's instructions.
• This part of the paper is your opportunity to give information about yourself. Answer the questions fully and naturally. Remember to expand on short answers.
   

PICTURE DESCRIPTION

• The interlocutor will ask you to compare and contrast two photographs and to speculate or give an opinion about one aspect of them.
• Think about using language that will allow you to move comfortably from one photograph to the other and back again.
• Make meaningful comparisons between the pictures that relate to the interlocutor's question.
• If you dry up, simply talk about another aspect of the pictures.
   

COLLABORATIVE TASK

• Listen carefully to the instructions the interlocutor gives, and make sure you follow them. If you don't understand, ask for further explanation.
• Try neither to dominate your partner nor to be dominated. Give your opinion, get your partner's opinion, and talk about your opinions together.
• Don't overuse expressions you have learnt, as you will make your discussion sound unnatural if you do.
• If you can't remember or don't know any language, don't worry. Find another way of saying the same thing.
   

DISCUSSION

• Listen carefully to the interlocutor's questions and make sure your answers are relevant. Again, ask for explanation if you don't understand.
• Listen carefully to your partner's answers as you may think of things you wish to add.
• Expand on your answers: give reasons, examples, etc. and relate the questions to your own experience.