Key Idea: Paper 1 is the writing exam. You choose one of three tasks and write 250–400 words in 1 hour 15 minutes. It is worth 30 marks: 25% of your grade.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| Read | Read all three tasks, not just the first one |
| Choose | Pick the task and text type you have the most ideas for |
| Plan | Note the parts your text needs and your main points |
| Write | Use the right form and tone, and reach the word count |
| Criterion | Marks | What it checks |
|---|---|---|
| A Language | 12 | Range and accuracy of your English |
| B Message | 12 | Relevant ideas, each developed and well organised |
| C Conceptual | 6 | The conventions of the text type, and a tone that fits the reader |
| Total | 30 |
Criterion C is the easiest 6 marks: write in the right form, with a tone that suits your reader.
How many tasks do you write? One, out of three.
Which two criteria carry the most marks? A (Language) and B (Message): 12 each.
What is the danger of taking the first task? You may run out of ideas. Choose the one you have most to say about.
You write a perfect essay when the task asks for a blog. Which criterion suffers? C: you wrote the wrong form.
How long should your text be? 250–400 words.