Cambridge exams are a certification that before or after, most English learners will try to pass once in their lives. It’s not easy, but with dedication and effort you can get ahead.
Here are the best tips for you to achieve your goal of passing the Cambridge exam the first time.
1- Practice with test exams
Many students who take a Cambridge exam have not taken any full exams before test day. They have performed partial exercises, but have never tried to take the whole test. That’s a big mistake, you should take a full exam and even with the actual times of the test, to know if you’re on the right pace to finish it on time. On the Cambridge University website you can download two exams to practice, and if you’re going to an academy, try to get many of them.
2- Read a lot and of all kinds
Reading the Cambridge exam will require you to understand very different texts, so don’t settle for reading standard books. You have to read specialized journals and different topics (economic, scientific, political, etc.), opinion articles, interviews or conferences in order to expand your vocabulary and not keep the words of middle level.
3- Practice all the types of Writing you might see on the exam
You may be asked to write an essay, letter or email, proposal, review, or report. You should know how to write each of these types of texts. You can sign up for an academy preparation course or you can buy a book, so you can practice it and get to the test with some ease in all of them.
4- Don’t leave any answers unanswered
Choosing the wrong answer won’t subtract points from you, so don’t be afraid to point out an answer you’re not quite sure about but sense may be the right one. Don’t be afraid to opt for an answer when you hesitate between two or more options.
5- Don’t write for filling, if you’re not sure, get to the point
Think carefully about what you’re going to write before you do it and sketch with the points you’re going to try. This will help you stay out of the branches and address all the points you’ve set out to write. Use some of the resources you’ve studied in preparing your exams such as phrasal verbs, idioms, collocations etc.
6- Write ideas with full sentences
It tries to write with phrases with a complete meaning, clearly expressing the main idea of the paragraph. Don’t write loose words or phrases that are too short, or too long. Each paragraph should express an idea, so don’t mix concepts. And remember to link everything with appropriate linking words, not the typical “so” or “then”. Be a little more creative to show your wealth of vocabulary.
7- Read the questions and statements well
In principle you will believe that this advice is not very well founded, but you cannot imagine that of mistakes that are made because you have not read well what is requested. It is best to make a quick first reading, without singing in the details, that gives you a general idea. After that, a second, slower reading, trying to identify the type of text you’re reading, and the important points. Once you do, you’ll know how to perfectly address what you’re required to do.
8- Perform a balanced Speaking
You don’t want to grab the full weight of the conversation, but don’t fall behind either. Together with the partner assigned to you, you must carry out a conversation in which you can both speak and expose your ideas and vocabulary, without stepping on each other and being able to make a proper argument. In fact, using terms and vocabulary to help the other student get into the conversation will be well valued.
9- Review and review the exam once you’ve finished it
This point, even if it seems otherwise, is extremely important. Once you finish the exam, you should go through it ina deep way, as long as the remaining time allows, since you will surely find errors or improvements that during the writing of the same you have not noticed, but that once you read it “cold”, you will realize right away.
10- Take an exam preparation course abroad
Without a doubt, if you want to prepare a test well and gain ease in the language, it is best to take a course in a country where you speak. This is always going to increase your level much more than any academy you can go to in your home country.
Ynsitu offers you a wide range of Cambridge exam preparation courses abroad so you can pass the exam without any difficulty. You’ll finally achieve that level you’re so craving. The best investment for your future.