GENERAL TIPS FOR TAKING AN EXAM

- Before doing each exercise, read carefully the instructions. If you have questions or
doubts, ask your teacher.
- Before finishing the exam, review all your answers and check for possible mistakes.
- Be aware of the time. If you are stuck in one answer or exercise, don’t worry, continue
with the next one.

GRAMMAR - VERB TENSES (PRESENT AND FUTURE)

- For studying grammatical forms, learn a sentence for each verb tense that shows
perfectly when it is used and how it is formed correctly. To save time and effort,
memorize a sentence for each verb tense in affirmative and transform it into other forms
such as negative or questions.
- In your grammar practice, if you have made a mistake try to figure out the reason for
the mistake and finally, correct it. Make a list of your most common mistakes or the
ones you have the most problems with, then, focus on them by practicing more.

PRACTICE: https://transforma.fusalmo.org/cursos/ingles-para-call-center-
2021/lecciones/tenses-in-english/
 WRITING
- Writing well has four fundamental steps:

- STEP 1. Identify key words by reading the task:

- STEP 2. Organise your ideas:

A plan is essential to organize the content into paragraphs that transmit your ideas
clearly. You have three methods:
A. Brainstorming

B. A chart
C. A list:

⯈ Introduction: Introduce topic

⯈ Idea 1:

⯈ Idea 2:

⯈ Idea 3:

⯈ Conclusion: Evaluate & summarize ideas

- STEP 3. Write
Write the recommended number of words. You will NOT be directly penalised for
writing more, or less, than the recommended word limit. However, it may negatively
affect your grade in other areas:

⯈ Writing that is too long:

• Content. You have included content that is irrelevant.
• Language. You have run out of time and are unable to check your work and correct
mistakes.
⯈ Writing that is too short:
• Content. You will lose points if you have not included all the points and developed
your ideas sufficiently.
Tip: Before the exam, practice the recommended word limit in the time
allowed.DO NOT waste time counting words in the exam.
- STEP 4: Check
Stop writing and check your work: It is essential to check, check and check again to
maximise your grade in language.
- Time management:

- Register - Formal or informal?

Using the correct style (register) is critical to scoring high in Communicative
Achievement.
To determine the style, you first need to decide:

⯈ To whom you are writing.

⯈ What your purpose is.

- Formal or informal linking words and discourse markers?

Formal and informal discourse markers should NOT be mixed in the same piece of
writing.
 WRITING CHECKLIST
- In order to practice your writing, take into consideration this checklist.
 READING
- Firstly, skim the text in order to get a general overview of the material.
- Secondly, read the questions and answers before reading the text because you will
only need to scan the text for the right information. Moreover, while you read the
instructions and answers circle/underline the most important information.
- Thirdly, underline in the text where you find the extract that helps you deciding the
correct answer of a question.
*Skimming is reading rapidly in order to get a general overview of the material.
Scanning is reading rapidly in order to find specific facts. While skimming tells you
what general information is within a section, scanning helps you locate a particular fact.

STUDY SKILLS TIPS

There are some things that good language learners do and some things they don't do.
Here are some of the most useful suggestions from studies.

- Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Once you’ve located your mistakes, correct them
and understand why you have done them.
- Make notes during every class. Notes help you to remember new language. Look at
your notes when you do your homework. Moreover, you could create mind maps to
help you organise your ideas (https://app.mindmapmaker.org/#m:new).
- Use a dictionary (Cambridge Dictionary / Word Reference). Good language learners
often use dictionaries to check the meaning of words they don't know. They also make
their own vocabulary lists.
- Think in the language you're learning outside the classroom. When you're shopping or
walking down the street, remember useful words and phrases. Sometimes, when you're
at home, say new words to practise your pronunciation (Cambridge Dictionary).
- Do extra practice. Test and improve your language, reading and listening skills with
self-study material. You can find a lot of this online.
- Enjoy the process. Good language learners have fun with the language. Watch a TV
series or film, listen to songs, play video games or read a book.
- Keep in mind to have time each day to read and write something.