How to smash the KS3 Exam

Thursday 21st May

LO: To understand the structure of

the exam

The structure

• The exam is 1 hour 45 minutes long• The paper is split equally into reading and

writing – 40 marks for each• There are 4 reading questions and 1

writing question• There will be a colour insert containing 2

sources on a vaguely related topic• How many marks available should help

you decide how long to spend on each question – Just like the GCSE exam timing is crucial!

• (There will be a clock if you are watchless)

BEFORE YOU START

• The first task should be to read both texts you are given.

• Before even looking at the questions, just get it straight in your head what is “going on.”

• Try and identify the genre of each text – you may be told this if you look carefully! –consider how is each text different?

No more than 15 minutes reading time just to digest

the two texts

Question 1• As the whole year group is taking this

test, question 1 is designed to ease you in gently – to give you confidence and basically ensure nobody in the hall leaves with a zero.

• It will test your skimming and scanning skills – can you spot information in the given source?

• There will be a series of statements that you will have to decide are true or false

4 marks = no more than 4 minutes! It’s just not worth it!

Question 2• Question 2 is a bit longer and so is worth 8 marks• There will be a similar theme to the 2 texts and you will

be asked to write a summary of what is being talked about

• Can you identify and interpret the information you have been given?

• Top marks will involve some precisely chosen quotes used but majority of your answer will be your own words.

• Inference will be required to get above 2 out of 8 -

8 marks = try around 8-9 minutes

Question 3

• Question 3 will ask you to look at one of the texts in particular, asking you how language is used for effect

• This will test your knowledge of any language techniques you have learnt in forever

• Words / Phrases / Language features / Language techniques / Sentence forms

• You will need to analyse the choice of language, offer precise quotes and use a range of subject terminology appropriately to get the top Level

12 Marks = 12-13

minutes on this

question

Question 4

• Question 4 will ask you to look at both sources – you need to compare how each text presents a particular theme

• You will need to compare ideas in a perceptive way – so comparison connectives must be used – how many do you know?

• Quotations must be precise and well-chosen (You get the picture by now!)

16 marks –spend

around 16-18 minutes

on this question

Question 5 - Writing

• Now you are onto the writing! If you are scared about timing yourself, you may think of starting with Question 5 as it is longer

• however, you may want to read the reading texts first as your task will normally be on the same theme – so on this practise paper there is an animal theme!

• So there may be facts or statistics that you may wish to borrow for your writing (but do not copy word for word – not so good….)

Question 5 - Writing

• Question 5 will set you a statement which you will use to give your point of view – it will either be to explain or to argue your point of view. Be careful as there is a subtle difference.

• To explain – to inform readers by providing facts using clear statements

• Giving unbiased detailed answers

• Style is linked to the given audience

• Use of structural features to order your answer

• Linguistic devices used for effect

• Sophisticated vocabulary

You will get to spend the

whole remaining 45 minutes

on this question –

which includes

time to plan it out!

Question 5 - Writing

• 24 marks for content and organisation

• (Is the writing interesting to read? Is it well organised? Have they used ambitious words and features?)

• 16 marks for accuracy

• (Spelling, punctuation and grammar)

You will get to spend the

whole remaining 45 minutes

on this question –

which includes

time to plan it out!

Practise Writing task

• “People become too attached to their pets. Animals are here to be useful, not to be spoilt.”

• Write the text to appear on a website about the treatment of animals in which you explain your point of view on this statement.

Animals - how should they be treated?

What reasons for each of the sides could you think of?

We love being attached to our pets –they should be spoilt!

This is a problem. Animals are here to be useful