Tips for the Writing Test

1. Highlight/circle key words.
2. Clearly divide paragraphs.
3. Don’t repeat ideas in a different way.
4. Stick to the topic.
5. Careful with timing - don’t rush! Task 2 is longer and carries more weight.
6. Use one idea in each paragraph.
7. Avoid informal language.
8. Learn to recognise how long 150 words is in your handwriting. You don’t really have time to count.
9. Don’t write too many words, particularly for Task One.
10. Get used to always spending several minutes re-reading and correcting your essays.
11. Don’t memorise model answers, they won’t fit the question and you will make more careless mistakes.