How to pass with flying colours your Cambridge writing exam

A strong answer is usually clear, organised and appropriate for the task. It does not need to be the longest answer or the most complicated one.

To do well, you need to focus on three things: answering the question fully, using the right format and showing accurate, natural English.

Good Cambridge Writing is not about writing more.
It is about writing clearly, answering the task and using the right language for the situation.

This sounds obvious, but it is one of the most common reasons students lose marks in Cambridge Writing.

Every word in the task matters. If the question asks about famous sports people, you should not write only about famous people in general. If the task asks you to discuss two given ideas and add one of your own, you need to include all of that.

Before you start writing, check these points:

• What type of text do you need to write?
• Who are you writing for?
• Which points must you include?
• What tone should you use?
• What is the word limit?

Spending two minutes on this can save you from writing a good answer to the wrong question.

A short plan makes your answer clearer and helps you avoid repeating yourself.

You do not need a long outline. In most Cambridge Writing tasks, a simple structure is enough.

Use an introduction, two or three main paragraphs and a conclusion. Your ideas should be balanced and connected clearly.

Use clear headings, short sections and a final recommendation. The reader should be able to find the information quickly.

Include a strong opening, description, opinion and recommendation. A review should sound natural and interesting, but still controlled.

Make the reason for writing clear, include the necessary details and finish with an appropriate closing.

Planning is especially useful in B2 First and C1 Advanced because the examiner is not only checking your English. They are also looking at how well you organise your ideas.

The tone of your answer depends on the task. This is where many students lose marks.

An email to a friend can be friendly and relaxed. A report for a school director should be more formal. An essay should usually be neutral and balanced.

For example:

Too informal for a report:
I think this is a great idea and we should totally do it.

Better for a report:
This option would be beneficial for students and is therefore worth considering.

This does not mean you should fill your writing with difficult words. It means choosing language that fits the situation.

Many students ask this because contractions can cause confusion in Cambridge exams.

Contractions such as didn’t, isn’t or I’ll are normally counted according to their full form. For example, didn’t means did not, so it counts as two words.

In the Writing paper, there is another important point: contractions are more suitable for informal writing. They may be fine in a friendly email, but they are usually not appropriate in essays, reports, proposals or formal letters.

Practical rule:
Use contractions only when the task is clearly informal. Avoid them in essays, reports, proposals and formal letters.

A common mistake is thinking that advanced writing means using very long sentences and unusual words.

It does not.

Good Cambridge Writing is clear, accurate and well controlled. It is better to write a simple sentence correctly than a very long sentence full of mistakes.

Compare these two examples:

Too forced:
It is an undeniable and dramatically significant fact that young people are absolutely influenced by the technological environment surrounding them.

Clearer:
Technology has a strong influence on young people, especially in the way they communicate and study.

The second version is easier to read and still sounds natural.

You do need to show a good range of grammar and vocabulary, especially at C1 and C2. But range only helps if it is accurate.

Useful language includes:

• linking words such as however, therefore, in addition or on the other hand
• collocations such as highly effective, deeply concerned or a strong argument
• passive structures such as It is recommended that…
• conditionals such as If this were introduced, students would…
• more precise vocabulary such as beneficial, essential, convenient or relevant

The key is not to use all of these in every answer. The key is to choose what fits the task.

Many students finish writing and stop. That is a mistake.

You should always leave a few minutes to check your answer. Do not rewrite everything. Just look for the mistakes that cost easy marks.

Check your verb tenses, spelling, word order, missing words, repeated vocabulary and punctuation. Most importantly, check that you have answered the full question.

A short correction at the end can make a real difference.

Before finishing your answer, ask yourself:

• Have I answered all parts of the question?
• Is the format correct?
• Is the tone suitable?
• Are my paragraphs clear?
• Have I used some good linking language?
• Have I avoided unnecessary repetition?
• Have I checked grammar and spelling?
• Am I close to the word limit?

This checklist is simple, but it covers many of the things that affect your score.

To pass the Cambridge Writing exam, you do not need to write something perfect. You need to write something clear, complete and appropriate for the task.

Read the question carefully, plan before writing, use the right tone and leave time to check. If you do that consistently, your writing will become much stronger.

At Speak English School, we work on Cambridge Writing with real exam tasks, correction and practical feedback, so students can understand exactly what they need to improve before exam day.

If you need help with your writing, you can contact us for English classes in Oviedo.