Language exams, such as Cambridge and IELTS, are the best way to refine and assess all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). That is because these tests are carefully designed around the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the ultimate international standard for describing language ability.
Hundreds of thousands of candidates from 147 different countries take these exams each year since the Cambridge language certificates are accepted by 25, 000 business and government organizations, including some of the most prestigious universities around the globe, as reliable proof of one's English language ability.
Due to the high demand and expectations, the Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency are among the most challenging language exams in terms of difficulty, length, and depth, testing a wide range of skills and sub-skills to guarantee a solid level of accuracy and fluency so that you can be linguistically prepared for all sorts of professional and academic contexts.
Add to that the pressure of the financial investment, and, as you can see, the stakes are pretty high. That is why you need to make sure you are not wasting time and resources when preparing for exams of that caliber.
In my 30-year teaching career (eleven of which, I have been helping students successfully pass Cambridge exams), I've seen candidates make a great deal of mistakes. I have selected the top 5 of them for you. Here they are:
Mistake # 1 - Doing mock test after mock test without working on improving your overall level of proficiency first
Practice tests (mocks) should be spread out strategically and done (under exam conditions!) throughout regular stretches of time, but only AFTER you have
consistently worked on the content of each part of the exam papers,
filled in any gaps in grammar knowledge (you’ll need feedback and guidance from a qualified teacher to do that),
acquired a good range of appropriate vocabulary for that level (in particular, collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs, as these are tested throughout all Use of English parts),
developed the skills tested in each part of the exam.
Mistake # 2 - Not working on ALL four skills
Both receptive (reading and listening) and productive (speaking and writing) skills are important, along with intentional grammar and vocabulary study.
ALL skills complement and build upon one another. I cannot stress this enough.
Reading allows you to notice structural patterns of the language and then replicate them in your Writing.
Writing develops your thinking and helps you expand on your ideas, which makes your Speaking faster, richer, and more natural, as the brain is already trained to recognize (and eventually reproduce) a coherent discourse.
Speaking and Listening are also inextricably intertwined as you need both skills to be able to communicate. The more you listen to authentic speech, the more natural it is for you to decipher and produce the same individual sounds, intonation, pausing, word stress, and sentence stress. The more you participate in spontaneous conversations, the more you will be able to understand messy spoken language.
In addition, listening to the same text several times and occasionally transcribing challenging bits from it (writing!), then comparing it with the transcript (reading!), is the best way to decode the intricacies of connected speech in spontaneous utterances and later reproduce the same features.
Mistake # 3 - Not knowing the format of the exam and/or the assessment criteria inside out
A huge factor in passing an exam is knowing how to navigate through its different parts, both strategically and time-wise. Understanding what skills are tested helps you develop those skills, instead of simply relying on luck and improvisation.
Knowing exactly what the examiners are looking for in the Speaking and Writing papers, and what marking criteria they use, gives you a clear picture of where you are and what you need to work on to improve.
A set of clearly defined marking criteria (descriptors) makes the assessment process more transparent for both the examiner and the candidate and ensures that your exam results are valid and reliable. Familiarizing yourself with those guidelines gives you direction and focus.
Mistake # 4 - Not leaving sufficient time for preparation
According to Cambridge, it takes a massive average of 200 hours of guided learning to pass from one level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) to the next one - for example, from B2 to C1 or from C1 to C2.
It may take a bit longer or less than that time, depending on your age, your linguistic aptitude, how many other languages you speak, the intensity and consistency of your studies, and your motivation.
Rushing through your exam studies will only lead to frustration and insufficient preparation, resulting in a disappointing score at best or a failed exam at worst.
According to 2018 grade statistics from cambridgeenglish.org, 22% of all B2 First candidates, 20% of all C1 Advanced candidates, and 23% of all C2 Proficiency candidates fail the exam. That’s one in five candidates worldwide. Just think about the emotional and financial toll of that failure!
Do yourself a favor and make sure you have plenty of time for preparation. Do not attempt the exam unless you are ready (I’d say, unless your overall score is above 70% on each of your last three mock tests).
Mistake # 5 - Not getting the right (or any) feedback
Ongoing, objective, and trustworthy feedback from a language professional specialized in exam preparation is absolutely priceless!
It will guide you and keep you on track.
It will bring clarity as to what your strengths are and what you need to work on.
It will help you focus on the right skills and resources and prevent you from wasting precious time and energy.
It will keep you accountable and consistent.
It will boost your motivation.
I hope you have found these tips helpful. Exams can be physically, mentally, and emotionally strenuous, but with the right type of tutor, your accomplishment is guaranteed. If you have been struggling with Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, lacking professional guidance and corrective feedback, I am here for you. I've helped lots of candidates ace their Cambridge exams, and I can help YOU too. See what some former students of mine say about working with me:
“I had the opportunity and the good fortune to have Bistra as my English teacher, and it was a wonderful experience. She is a competent professional, with great expertise, always available, kind, and very patient. Even the most complex topic becomes clear, as she explains it in a simple and precise way. Finally, errors are dealt with in a constructive way, as they become an opportunity for learning and deepening. Bistra is one of the best English teachers I have ever had. With her help, I was able to obtain the Cambridge C2 Proficiency certificate and become a teacher myself.”
Desirée Di Raimondo, Italy (C2 Proficiency exam prep)
“Studying with Bistra was what I had always dreamed of. As I am a demanding person, I had found a competent, patient, and supportive teacher. Her lessons were never boring and her explanations and feedback were extremely precise. What I really appreciated is that she believed in me, and for this reason, I did my best. For me, Bistra is an excellent teacher, whose smile and gentle voice make you feel at ease and encourage you when you are in difficulty.”
Cinzia G., Italy (C1 Advanced exam prep)
“Bistra has all the qualities of a perfect and competent teacher from all points of view. I made huge progress with her in every skill and ended up obtaining the Cambridge C1 Advanced certification with merit. It took constant commitment, and Bistra was always by my side. She encouraged me to always do my best and never get discouraged. When I didn't feel ready, she also acted as my mental coach, always motivating me 100%. Kind and helpful, Bistra always made me feel at ease. With her, I learned English without even realizing it, because she never made it feel like a burden. Quite the opposite!”
Miriam Rizza, Italy (C1 Advanced exam prep)
Interested in working together towards the successful realization of your language goals? Get in touch by booking a FREE 20-minute Zoom call here or simply write to me at englishwithbistra@gmail.com
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