2015 Exam Focus Workshops for Bavarian Gymnasien

and FOS/BOS schools

Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment

(University of Cambridge)

◦ A globally accepted test for high achievers

◦ Accepted globally for study, work and immigration purposes

◦ Trusted and accepted by over 3,000 organisations

◦ Proof of high-level English language skills.

General English examination at CEFR Level C1

Tests real-life English skills

From 2015 - Exam made up of 4 papers*:

◦ Paper 1: Reading & Use of English (*New combined paper from 2015)

(1hr 30 minutes). 40% of total marks.

◦ Paper 2: Writing

(1hr 30 mins). 20% of total marks.

◦ Paper 3: Listening

(ca. 40 mins). 20% of total marks.

◦ Paper 4: Speaking

(15 min). 20% of total marks.

Certificates awarded for performances CEFR Levels B2 and C2.

◦ Grade A (80-100 %)

These candidates demonstrated ability at Level C2

◦ Grade B (75-79 %) or C (60-74 %)

These candidates demonstrated ability at Level C1

◦ CEFR Level B2 (45-59 %)

These candidates’ performance is below Level C1, but falls

within Level B2.

8 Parts.

New for 2015 – Combined paper

Time: 1 hour 30 mins.

Contains task types:

Multiple-choice/multiple matching

Cloze tasks

Word formation/transformation

Gapped Text

Parts 1 & 2: Cloze tasks

◦ Test mainly control of grammar/structure.

◦ Missing words could be:

Prepositions

Articles

Conjunctions

Collocations & fixed phrases.

◦ TIP: Read whole text quickly.

◦ TIP: Read the sentences before and after the one with the gap.

Part 3 – Word formation

◦ Forming words from different parts of speech

E.g. forming adjectives from nouns, nouns from verbs

E.g. using negative prefixes, or suffixes

◦ TIP:

Read whole text quickly – get general impression.

Part of speech needed? noun, adjective, verb, adverb?

Decide on meaning of the gap and suitable form of the word

needed.

Part 4 – Key Word Transformation

Focus on lexis & grammar

Three parts to each question:

lead-in sentence

key word

second sentence with a gap.

Fill the gap - keep same meaning as lead-in sentence.

Use 3 - 6 words, one must be key word.

Remember: The key word must not be changed!

TIP: Prepare by reading a wide variety of English texts.

Part 5: Multiple Choice

Tests detailed understanding

Use elimination technique

TIP: questions in same order as the information in text

TIP: Beware – do not simply match vocab items in the

question and text!

TIP: Reading the whole text first in detail may waste time –

may result in vocabulary problems not being tested.

Parts 6 & 8: Multiple-matching

Tests ability to find specific information in a long text/series of

short texts (linked by theme).

TIP: Reading the whole text first in detail may waste time on

information not being tested.

Prepare by reading a wide range of material eg. newspapers,

magazines, brochures, journals.

Part 7: Gapped Text

A single page of text with numbered gaps representing missing

paragraphs.

Read the text and “missing” paragraphs

Decide which paragraph best fits each gap.

TIP: Don’t spend too long on one gap. Move on and come back when

the paragraphs remaining are fewer.

Remember: there is one piece of text that does not fit!!

2 Parts, 1 hour 30 mins. 50% of the total marks for each task.

◦ Part 1: Compulsory Essay (discursive task)

220 – 260 words.

Essay based on two points given in the input text.

Explain which of the two points is more important and give reasons.

◦ Part 2: Choice of Task (contextualised task)

220 – 260 words.

Choice of 3 tasks. Write one of the following:

• letter/email

• proposal

• report

• review

◦ Try to choose tasks suited to own interests and experience

◦ Read tasks carefully and underline important parts

◦ Plan your answer - include all points required

◦ Check word limits and write legibly!

◦ Examiners are looking at:

Content

Effect on target reader

Range of vocab and grammar

Format & Register

Organisation &cohesion

Accuracy

4 Parts. Approx 40 mins (incl. 5 mins transfer time)

30 questions, 1 mark for each correct answer.

Each part is heard twice.

◦ Part 1 - Multiple Choice (sample & audio)

◦ Part 2 – Sentence Completion (sample & audio)

◦ Part 3 – Multiple Choice (sample & audio)

◦ Part 4 – Multiple Matching (sample & audio)

◦ Listening Part 1- Multiple Choice

(sample & audio)

Use elimination – first rule out the unlikely answer(s)

Listen to whole part before choosing answer.

Beware - check carefully answers where the same vocabulary

appears in the recording and in the question.

◦ Part 2 – Sentence Completion (sample & audio)

Use the pause before tasks to predict type of information

required (nouns, proper names etc.).

Answers are usually single words/noun groups.

◦ Listening Part 3- Multiple Choice

(sample & audio)

Use elimination - rule out the unlikely answer(s)

Listen to whole part before choosing answer.

Beware of choosing answers where the same vocabulary

appears in the recording and in the question.

◦ Part 4 – Multiple Matching (sample & audio)

Do both tasks simultaneously while CD is playing.

Read Task 1 and 2 before the CD starts so you can anticipate

language/information.

◦ 4 Parts, 15 Minutes

◦ Paired format (or group of 3)

◦ 2 examiners (one conducting test, the other listening and taking notes)

Part 1 – Interview (2 mins)

Part 2 – Long Turn (4 mins)

Part 3 – Collaborative Task (4 mins)

Part 4 – Discussion (5 mins)

Candidates‘ spoken performances assessed according to 5 criteria:

Grammatical Resource

Lexical Resource

Discourse Management

Pronunciation

Interactive Communication

General Speaking Test Tips

Don‘t worry if the examiner stops you during test

Be active, interact with your partner, but don‘t dominate.

Extend your answers naturally and appropriately

Don‘t be afraid to ask for repetition. This does not count

against you.

Part 1 - Interview (2 mins)

◦ A short conversation between interlocutor and each candidate

(spoken questions).

◦ Part 1 Tip: Avoid overlong, pre-prepared replies to the predictable

initial questions regarding where you live etc.

◦ Part 1 Info: questions of a more familiar or personal nature, for

example:

Friends & family

Interests

Personal experiences & ambitions

Current study/work life etc.

Part 2 – Individual Long Turns (4 mins)

◦ Part 2 Tip: Compare 2 (out of 3) pictures simultaneously rather

than describing each picture separately.

◦ Part 2 TIP: Prepare language of comparing/contrasting.

◦ Part 2 Tip: Use the written prompts on the exam material to

remind you of both task parts.

◦ Part 2 Tip: Don‘t worry if the examiner stops you – you have only

1 minute.

Part 3 – Collaborative Task (4 mins)

◦ Part 3 Tip: Discuss each idea fully together before moving on

to a new idea.

◦ Part 3 Tip: Show you are listening to your partner -

agree/disagree/comment on/add to partner‘s ideas.

◦ Part 3 TIP: You don‘t need to agree with your partner – but give

reasons for your own opinions.

Part 4 – Discussion (5 mins)

◦ Part 4 TIP: Give reasons for your opinions.

◦ Part 4 TIP: Listen to your partner - you may be asked if you

agree/disagree.

Part 4

Examiner Script

Result received only if all parts of the exam are taken.

Candidates - personal online results access

Online results - released within 4 weeks of exam (but

mostly earlier than this).

Certificates - sent to schools within 8 weeks of the exam.

Exam location – at your school or at a school nearby

Next exam: March 2015

For the exam:

Must have photographic ID (Passport, ID-card, Student card...)

No dictionaries of any kind are allowed

No electronic devices are allowed

Main changes from January 2015:

• Overall 45 minutes shorter.

• The exam will have four papers, not five.

• The Reading & Use of English papers are combined

• Some new tasks and tests in the Reading and Use of English,

Writing and Speaking papers.

• No set texts in Writing paper