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- Exam timing and question-by-question plan
Exam timing and question-by-question plan
Timing is one of the biggest differences between a good and a great grade. Use the marks to decide how long to spend.
Paper 1 (1 hour 45 minutes, 64 marks)
Pearson's front cover advice is about 1 hour on Section A and about 45 minutes on Section B.
Paper 2 (2 hours 5 minutes, 96 marks)
Pearson's front cover advice is about 1 hour 20 minutes on Section A and about 45 minutes on Section B.
Golden rules
Use the marks as your guide: Pearson's examiners advise using the marks and the space available to judge how long to spend.
Never leave Section B until the last 20 minutes: it is 40 marks.
If time runs out on a reading answer, move on and come back.
Keep 5 minutes to proofread your writing.
Never leave Section B until the last 20 minutes: it is 40 marks.
If time runs out on a reading answer, move on and come back.
Keep 5 minutes to proofread your writing.
You have 15 minutes left on Paper 1 and have not started Section B. What should you do?
- Section B is 40 marks: the biggest single question.
- Stop the reading answer at once.
- Plan for 2 minutes, write a shorter but complete piece, and keep a minute to check.
Answer: Move to Section B immediately and write a short, complete, controlled piece.
Paper 1: about 1 hour reading, 45 minutes writing. Paper 2: about 1 hour 20 minutes reading, 45 minutes writing. Spend time in proportion to marks and never squeeze the writing task.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
Check you have got it
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