BEC Dos and Donts
BEC Dos and Donts
Read the whole text in Part 2 and try to predict what kind of
information is missing from each of the gaps, before working on the
extracts.
Keep vocabulary lists and try to use new vocabulary that you learn.
This will be particularly useful for Part 4.
Look carefully at the sentences in Part 4. Does the word you have
chosen usually go together with a certain preposition or grammatical
structure? Does it make a good collocation with the surrounding words?
DON'T
Dont choose an answer just because you find matching words, in Part
1. There are usually some similarities between sections and you need
to make sure that your choice matches the complete meaning of the
question.
Dont forget that tenses in the Part 2 extracts need to fit logically with
those already present in the text.
Don't choose more than one letter for any of the answers in Parts 14.
Write in paragraphs.
Check the question and your work again after you have finished
writing.
DON'T
Don't use white correction fluid but do cross out mistakes with a single
line.
Don't panic if other people in the exam start writing straight away. Its
better to read the question carefully and plan before you start writing.
Don't copy too many words and phrases from the question paper try
to use your own words.
Don't waste time writing addresses for a letter, as they are not
required.
Content focuses on how well the candidate has fulfilled the task if
they have done what they were asked to do.
Each response is marked from 05 on each of the four subscales and these
scores are combined to give a final mark for the Writing test.
Read the instructions and task carefully in the time before the first
listening, think about what you are going to hear, and underline key
words in the instructions and questions.
Answer all the questions you won't lose marks for wrong answers,
and there's a chance that you'll guess correctly.
Carefully copy your answers in pencil onto the answer sheet during
the 10 minutes at the end of the test.
DON'T
Don't spend too long thinking about a question: leave it until the
second listening.
Dont forget that you should only choose the option that actually
answers the question in Part 3 even if an option is true, it may not
answer the question that has been asked.
Get plenty of speaking practice in small groups, especially on topics that are
likely to be used in the exam.
Collect and keep records of words and phrases that are useful for carrying out
the exam tasks.
Speak clearly and loudly enough for the examiners to hear you.
Use all the opportunities youre given in the test to speak, and extend your
responses whenever possible.
DON'T
Don't memorise and practise long answers for Part 1. You only need to give short
answers in this part.
Dont try to talk much more than your partner or interrupt in an impolite way.
Don't worry about not knowing a word or phrase explain what you mean using
other words.
Don't worry too much about making mistakes you don't have to be word
perfect.
Don't just respond to what has been said be prepared to give your own ideas,
ask for your partners opinion and develop your partner's ideas and contributions.
your grammar and choice of words to get your meaning across. In other words, you do
not need to be accurate all the time to pass. Also, remember that Grammar and
Vocabulary is only one of the four areas that are assessed in the exam. The others are
Discourse Management, Pronunciation and Interactive Communication.
What sort of topics might I be expected to speak about?
Some examples: personal information, the office, general business environment and
routine, entertainment of clients, travel and conference meetings, using the telephone,
health and safety, buying and selling, management skills, promotion, training courses.
These topics are spread across the four components of the exam (Reading, Writing,
Listening and Speaking).
Is it an advantage to know your partner in the Speaking test?
No. You should be encouraged to change partners in class so that you get used to
interacting with a variety of people, including people you dont know well.
What if I am paired with someone much better than me?
As all students are assessed on their own performance and not on how they compare
with their exam partner, this would not be a problem. So, similarly, if you have difficulty
in understanding your partner, your grade will not suffer. It is important to try to
communicate and interact with your partner, whatever their level.
marked on your language and not on your knowledge of the topic or the originality of
your ideas.
What if the two candidates have very different personalities, e.g. one is very shy
and one is very outgoing?
Examiners know how to deal with this situation, and give both of the candidates an
opportunity to speak make sure you take this opportunity. It is important both to talk
and to give the other candidate the chance to talk. The examiner can use the questions
after the Part 3 task to encourage a quieter student to speak more.
What happens when there is an odd number of candidates left at the end of a
Speaking test session?
In this case, the last candidates would be examined as a group of three.