5 tips to help you pass a Cambridge speaking exam
The speaking test can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the exam. But, with the right preparation, you can go in feeling calm and confident. If you want to get your top score in Cambridge B2 First (FCE) or C1 Advanced (CAE) exam, read on.
Here are five tips and what you need to do.
1. Get to know each part of the exam
Cambridge speaking tests are short but very structured so you need to know what to do in each of the four parts of the test. It’s important that you use the right kinds of language and give answers which are not too long and not too short. Remember the examiner isn’t just listening to your grammar and vocabulary: how you interact with your partner and the examiner will help you get those top marks too. So, knowing when and how to respond is key. Plus, if you know what to do you will be less nervous and more confident.
How?
Watching real videos of students doing speaking tests on the Cambridge YouTube channel is really helpful here. But a real-life teacher and Cambridge expert who can help you and answer all your questions is the best! I spend a lot of time practising and reviewing with my students as just knowing what to do is so important.
2. Take time to prepare
There is a lot to learn and a lot to remember so it does take time! Give yourself enough time before the exam (most preparation courses are between three and nine months) so you can practise everything lots of times. This way, you are more likely to be confident in the exam and remember what you learn after it.
How?
If you spend the three weekends before your exam practising intensively, you might pass, but you’ll forget everything you’ve learned afterwards. An easier and more effective plan is to spend 20 minutes practising every day for three months. It will make you a much better English speaker in the exam and forever!
Practising and getting feedback from a teacher is the most effective way but practising with your friends and on your own (recording yourself) are also fantastic. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel. (If finding 20 minutes every day seems like an impossible task, download my free habit tracker and I’ll help you find time you didn’t know you had!)
3. Listen!
Listening is as important as speaking! Listen to your partner as the examiner might ask you to respond to or comment on something they have said, particularly in C1 Advanced. If you don’t understand something, ask your partner to clarify (this is very important in Part 3 of both exams). Don’t be afraid to ask the examiner or your partner to repeat something. I often see candidates try to guess a question because they haven’t heard. It’s okay to ask them to repeat.
How?
Practise the different parts of the exam but also learn some key phrases for repetition (Can you repeat that, please?) or clarification (So, I think what you mean is…). Learn these phrases and practise them in conversation.
4. Improving the other three skills helps your speaking
Now, of course, to get better at speaking, you need to speak, so you probably want to focus on speaking practice. However, reading, writing and listening ALSO help you to improve your speaking skills. Reading and listening help you to see and hear complex language and how it is used. Writing gives you the opportunity to produce complex language but with more thinking time than speaking. So, if you practise more complicated grammar and vocabulary in your writing, you are more likely to use it in your speaking.
How?
Spend time on all the skills. And remember, I mean short amounts (20 minutes) of regular focused practice. This will really help you see results. For some quick ideas to help you practise all four skills, download my FREE pdf.
5. Use language at the level of the exam
This is probably the most important tip. It might sound obvious but when I’m examining I see a lot of candidates who don’t. If you’re nervous, you might want to ‘play it safe’ and just use grammar and vocabulary that you are confident about. Many candidates do the exam tasks and answer all the questions but use simple language. However, to get higher marks you must use more complex language.
How?
Memorising key phrases and expressions which you can use in each of the tasks is an easy way to do this. For example, in B2 First Part 2 you should learn some key phrases for making comparisons like, ‘…whereas in the second picture…’. For C1 Advanced Part 2, learn some phrases for speculating such as, ‘They might have chosen/decided/opted to do this because…’ Remember, you can get marks for trying to use more complex language, even if it isn’t perfect.
Good luck with your exam!
*I’ve written these with Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced in mind but they are also good advice for other levels and even other exams such as IELTS, Linguaskill and APTIS.
Useful links
Find 20 minutes to practise every day with my free habit tracker
Cambridge Information for Candidates booklet
Cambridge Speaking test videos playlist - this includes all levels so scroll through to find B2 First and C1 Advanced
