Tips & Tricks for iGCSE Exams

When I was marking papers for an exam board last year, I kept thinking to myself that so many mistakes were being made that weren’t necessary. I started making notes in my head about how I would teach my own child to tackle the iGCSE English paper if she were going to take it this year.

These notes have now turned into a ten-session revision course for CIE iGCSE English exams. I have called in Dreaming Spires Revision because I live near Oxford, and who wouldn’t want to dream of getting a university place at such a good university?!!

Dreaming Spires Revision courses are delivered on-line so that anyone, anywhere can take advantage of my experience. This keeps costs low for the student, and it’s also convenient.

There are, of course, other companies and schools who do revision classes, but I think I have unique offerings for you that are unavailable elsewhere.

For example, I’m not a mega-crammer for hundreds of students; I take only 20 at a time.

I’m not plonking you down in front of your computer for an automated multiple-choice quiz; I provide you with interactive slide shows and live commentary, during which you can ask as many questions as you like.

I’m also not taking your money and assigning you to any Tom, Dick, or Harriet who happens to be teaching that on-line course at that time.

No, this is me.

• A homeschooling mum of 4 who has taught English in universities, at secondary schools, as a one-on-one tutor, as an on-line lecturer using the same delivery system, CourseSites by Blackboard, as I’m intending to use for Dreaming Spires Revision.
•  An experienced examiner who knows the papers and what’s required to succeed in them.
•  A highly qualified English specialist who knows how to take exams, but also loves the subject that’s being examined.

Experienced. Educated. Enthusiastic.

So that’s the teacher — what about the course? What kinds of tips and tricks might you expect on my revision course?

Well, let’s take something simple like sentence construction. I have seen many students miss out on a good, solid mark simply because their writing skills were poor. Even students who are otherwise strong will often begin a sentence with “But”.

Considering the fact that “but” is a conjunction that links two words, sentences, or phrases together, it can’t be at the start of the sentence, because then it isn’t linking anything. Oh, I know, I know … it’s common to write like this in modern discourse, but grammatically, it’s wrong, and doing so can have a damaging effect on one’s attainment in an English exam.

It makes me want to yell at students, “Just don’t start a sentence with “but”!!!”

You see, it’s little tips and tricks like that from people who know that will improve your chances of a decent mark on your iGCSE English exam.

If you want to give yourself that advantage, why not look into signing up with Dreaming Spires Revision today? Short courses over Easter are now enrolling to prepare for the CIE iGCSE English – First Language 0500 papers. My contact details can be found on the “Contact", or fill in the form in the sidebar.