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