Preparing for English

Each candidate will answer two longer writing tasks. It is very important to pay attention to the wording of the questions and instructions. The task will say if a narrative, an argument, a personal recount, a procedural text, etc. should be written. Candidates should familiarise themselves with the different text types that come up in each stage. Please see the table below for text types:

It is very important to read the instructions for each writing task, so candidates know exactly what to write. Here is a sample writing task for Stage 3:

Looking at the task above, it is clear that to answer this question fully, candidates must include several different components. It is a good rule of thumb to write down all the KEY WORDS from the instructions when planning an answer. This will help candidates ensure they are including ALL the necessary information in their answer.

To score high marks for this question, ALL components of the question must be included in the written text, and it must be written as the correct text type. Candidates often write very solid pieces of work, but they lose marks because they have not followed the conventions of the text type required in the question.

In the sample question above, it is a narrative, so the text should include a plot, storyline, and dialogue. It also must include a materials list. As well as writing a narrative about a birthday, it must include how it was celebrated AND if it was better/worse than your typical birthday.

This is a computer-based test. Candidates are expected to know how to use a computer keyboard. Candidates should note that when typed answers are required (longer writing tasks), it is important to write the same way you would by hand. Paragraphing, punctuation, capitalisation, etc. are all graded. If candidates are not familiar with using a computer keyboard, they should practise before the test.

In the listening/speaking part of the test, candidates are interviewed by an avatar. Candidates are asked 10 questions. The first two questions are general, and the rest deal with topics appropriate for the age and stage of student.

Candidates are encouraged to listen carefully to each question asked. It is important to answer EXACTLY what is asked. Candidates can take notes to help them prepare their answer. Candidates should remember that this is an important stage of the test for them to express themselves and show their level of English-speaking ability. However, they can demonstrate their listening ability by only including information pertaining to the question asked.

Candidates have a maximum of two minutes, once they press record, to answer each question. Some questions can be answered more briefly than others. It is important to remember to answer the question fully but also to be concise. Candidates often lose marks for going off topic or “talking for the sake of talking”. Depending on the question asked and the stage of the test the candidate is sitting, the length of answers can vary. It is normal that higher stages of the test might necessitate longer answers, but this depends on the question asked, and students should exercise common sense when preparing their answers.

Many of the multiple-choice questions in all stages will contain some of the following instructions.

Being familiar with the following question types and the sample questions will help students prepare for the test.