Exam task techniques.

Here are my suggestions on how to approach some of the typical FCE exam tasks. I hope you'll find them useful.

You can, and should, practice them on this website. Being familiar with the exam tasks is essential.

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/strategy/index.htm

Exam techniques.

Word Formation:

First predict the form of the missing Word. Is it a verb, an adjective, a noun perhaps? This may seem like a waste of time under exam pressure, but it will get you better marks.

Gapped reading:

1.       Read missing phrases.

2.       Skim text, underlining anything that seems connected to the missing phrases

3.       Now complete the gaps which seem clearest.

4.       Finally, read the paragraphs you haven’t completed, paying special attention to the sentences immediately before and after the gaps.

5.       Remember to answer everything. Even if you’re guessing, you may be right.

Reading: (See suggestions in SB p.58-60)

1.       Read the questions carefully, they test detailed understanding.

2.       Skim the text, underlining anything that seems connected to the questions.

3.       Now answer the questions that seem clearest to you.

4.       Look for the sentences specifically related to the questions you haven’t answered yet. (They are asked in the same order as the paragraphs in the text.)