*Top exam tips: #7 the name of the game

I always say taking exams is a bit like playing a game, and, as in any game, you need to know how to play and the rules in order to score points and win. The ‘rules’ of the English Language ‘exam game’ are all laid out in black and white in the specification, mark schemes and examiners reports, which, together, make clear the type of questions candidates may be asked, how they will be assessed and the criteria examiners use to mark responses.

With this in mind, today’s top tips offer: a reminder of the assessment criteria used for this specification a summary of points to bear in mind for the directed writing task on paper 2.

I’ve distilled the key messages from the syllabus and examiners reports to compile a handy guide focusing mainly on paper 2 as typically, students find the tasks on this paper most challenging.

*Top tip #7 the name of the game – a reminder of assessment objectives for this syllabus* AO1 Reading Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings

R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes

R3 analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions, using appropriate support from the text

R4 demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects and influence readers R5 select and use information for specific purposes.

AO2 Writing

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined

W2 organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect

W3 use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context

W4 use register appropriate to context

W5 make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.