B1a, B2c, C1a - exam advice

So, the exams are nearly here, and as promised, here is a little advice (much of which is common sense) in preparation...

Before the exam

- Prepare well, but then ...sleep well before the exam - go to bed early to 'charge your battieries'!

- Eat well - have a good breakfast (it sounds crazy, and I may risk sounding like a parent, but...) ...food gives you energy, and energy is what you need!

- For the same reason eating a bar of chocolate before your exam can often give you a good, quick energy input (don't eat too many bars or you'll feel sick!).

- Take your correction fluid out of your pencil case, so you don't risk using it by mistake.

- Remember, black or blue pen, dictionaries (2nd years), 'libretto', etc.

At the exam

- Breathe, relax - you have prepared for this, you've tried past papers, so feel courageous.

- Keep an eye on the time - organise your work for the amount of time you have.

- Remember to write your name, student number etc. on all the necessary papers.

- Remember to write your final answers in blue or black pen only - and DO NOT USE correction fluid.

- Use normal letters and avoid 'block capitals'.

- Don't forget to read the general instructions and the instructions of each exercise with care (it's so easy - and unfortunate - to lose points just because you didn't read the instructions carefully).

- Read the questions carefully. In the reading comprehension and the composition be sure that you answer the actual question (and not what you'd like the question to be).

- Before you write your composition, think about what you want to say. What does the question ask you? What are you going to write? Plan briefly before you write then check that you follow your plan as you are writing.

- Divide your composition into logical paragraphs.

- INDENT your paragraphs (I will never tire of saying this).

- In the grammar test, try not to leave blank spaces. Try to answer all questions - often it can be a good idea to do the questions you find easiest first. Don't spend a long, long time trying to answer one small grammar question when you could dedicate that time to answering the other easier grammar questions first.

- Aim to leave yourself enough time to look through your work and look for possible errors (check especially for your own 'common mistakes' - they're different for everyone).

After the exam

- Treat yourself - an icecream (if you didn't eat too much chocolate before the exam) or something nice, you deserve it.