Here are some important tips and strategies for students who are preparing for the Cambridge examination.
Preparing for Cambridge Examinations, whether in International Education or Language, is often perceived as a challenging task for Indian students. When schools lack quality in-house tutors, students frequently seek additional tutorials from various sources to feel confident about succeeding in their end-of-year examinations.
With extensive experience in coaching for various Cambridge Examinations, we have found the RRR approach, which stands for Read-Raise-Review, to be highly effective in achieving excellence and obtaining the sought-after Grade A in these assessments. John D’Souza, Director of The English Advantage (T.E.A), provides valuable advice based on this approach.
To excel in Cambridge assessments, students must prioritize becoming well-read individuals. Extensive reading is crucial, as it helps them better understand passages and questions encountered in the exams. Developing a regular reading habit is vital to staying motivated and informed about diverse topics, enabling them to gain a global perspective.
Beyond knowledge improvement, students should focus on enhancing their English language skills, covering Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. Engaging with podcasts, talk shows, interviews, debates, and casual conversations proves immensely beneficial. Discussing current affairs and personal interests with friends reinforces contextual vocabulary and language usage.
Language-based apps like Exam Lift offer language practice games, while tools like ‘Write and Improve’ and ‘Test and Train’ provide exam writing practice with immediate feedback. The Cambridge Assessment website offers over 170 short tasks (5-10 minutes) to practice exam skills at different levels.
Candidates should thoroughly review the official rubrics and sample papers provided by Cambridge. Analyzing these rubrics helps students understand the examination expectations and assessment criteria. Cambridge provides examiners’ evaluation guidelines, accessible on its website. Additionally, reviewing past question papers reveals high-frequency topics and recurring themes, allowing students to prepare thoroughly. Reading sample answers and comments aids in structuring their own responses based on the rubric.