Key Idea: Paper 1 is the writing paper. You choose one of three tasks and write 450 to 600 words in 1 hour 30 minutes. It is worth 30 marks: 25% of your grade.
Your strategy
- Read — Read all three tasks before you pick.
- Choose — Take the task and text type you have ideas for.
- Plan — Plan before you write.
- Write — Use the right form and tone for the reader.
| Criterion | Marks | What it checks |
|---|---|---|
| A Language | 12 | Range and accuracy of your German |
| B Message | 12 | Relevant ideas, each developed and organised |
| C Conceptual | 6 | The text type's conventions and a fitting tone |
| Total | 30 |
C is 6 marks you can bank by form alone: write the right text type for the right reader.
You wrote 200 words. What is the problem? It is too short. You need at least 450.
Which two criteria carry the most marks? A and B, 12 each.
Why not take the first task you read? Another task may suit your ideas better.
Good ideas, but an essay instead of a letter. Which criterion suffers? C, because the text type is wrong.