C1. Written Exam Overview

Argument Analysis & Written Exam Topics

Tips for exam success

• Before the exam

  • Read: aim to read the news, in English, for about 30 minutes a day. This will give you valuable background information on all the 8 possible exam topics, as all of these topics are current issues around the world.

  • Write: You should also be writing a paragraph or more each day; writing about what you have read in the news is ideal, but any writing in English will give you good practice at the writing process: planning, writing, editing, and re-writing.

• During the Exam:

  • Time management: finishing on time is the most challenging part of this exam. Aim to spend 1 minute per mark on each question (so for a 6-mark question you should be done within 6 minutes)

  • Plan/brainstorm before writing the essay questions (#3d & #4).

    • Failure to plan = planning to fail: If you try to just start writing, stream-of-consciousness style, you will likely not be awarded marks for structure & organization.

    • Instead, plan for success: 3 developed points are necessary to earn top marks for #3d, and 4 developed points are necessary for #4. Planning these before writing will ensure you actually write the necessary number of points for full marks.

  • If you are struggling to finish the essays: do them first. That's right - start with questions 3d & 4, and then move on to finish the rest of the exam once you have finished the high-value essay questions.