How would you like to feel in your EOI Writing Test? I bet you’d like to feel confident, to feel you have it under control because you know the types of tasks you can find, and at the same time, use nice structures and connectors that you know are going to raise your score in the test.
In that case keep reading because this article is definitely for you!
Hi! This is Toya Santa-Cruz. I’ve been an EOI teacher for 15 years.
Back in 2019 I created a website called The Way Experience with resources for teachers that EOIs all around the country use to prepare their official students.
But then I realised that I could help a lot more people and I created EOI Por Libre to help you succeed at your EOI Exam.
Which problems are you likely to face?
- One of the main problems that you can encounter is that you may not be familiar with the structure of the writing task. This usually affects your confidence, you may lose your focus, which will in turn affect the quality of your production.
- Another problem that you may have on the day of the exam is that you can get stuck either at the beginning or at the end of your writing, either because you can’t find the right way to start and engage your audience, or the proper way to conclude your writing.
- Sometimes the problem is that you are not familiar with the topic you are asked to write about…what will you write about if you can’t come up with nice ideas that you feel are worth sharing in your piece of writing? You don’t know what to say!!
Something you may sadly realise on the day of the exam when you are faced with the writing tasks in that you didn’t practise enough before the exam, and in that very moment you wish you had!
If only I had done some more writing practice! – is a regret that I have heard hundreds of times at the door of the exam room after the test.
Now, what can you do to feel really prepared in your EOI Writing Test, when you are there in front of your exam paper facing the two tasks that you have to write in about 90 minutes:
I’m going to give you 5 tips that you can start applying tomorrow.
TIP 1. Get hold of a reliable sample structure for type of writing
One of the best things you can do is to find a template that will help you organise your piece of writing depending on the type of text.
This is super important, as on the day of the exam you will not add extra tension to the exam situation. You will know exactly what you’ll need to include in your writing so it stands out, how many paragraphs you need to write, as well as how to introduce and close your writing.
TIP 2. Prepare an introduction and a closing paragraph for each type of writing that you can easily adapt on the day of the exam
This is a very effective way to prepare strategically for your exam.
Create a version of the introduction and closing paragraph for each type of writing. It’s not that much work and you will be so glad you did it when you get to the exam and you have the clarity of a guide that you created yourself.
TIP 3. Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
Look at examples of writings that you know come from reliable sources. Use them as a model for your own creations. And then write your text using them as a reference but adapting them to your own writing style developing your own ideas.
TIP 4. Make a list of key structures that you will be able to use in different types of writing tasks
Together with tip 2, this is a really effective way to make your writing stand out.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Which connectors are appropriate for my level?
- Which collocations will I be able to use in several writing tasks?
- And what’s more, which structures that are characteristic of my level do I feel comfortable using?
For example, the structures “It’s high time somebody did something” and “Have something done” in B2, Conditionals in B2 and Mixed conditionals in C1, inversions in C1 and C2 are good examples of structures that will give your writing the right-level touch.
You can check our articles about How to use the structure “Have something done” in 5 different topics, or How to use reporting verbs in your EOI speaking and writing test to get an idea of how to do it.
TIP 5. Create a list of popular topics for the EOI Test. Then, read articles and listen to podcasts about it
It wouldn’t be wise to go to an exam without having prepared for it conscientiously, would it?
That’s why it’s a brilliant idea to create a list of topics that you can use as a reference to plan your training strategically.
And as many of you already know at EOI Por Libre we have created an exclusive mobile APP where you can find videos, audios with their scripts about the EOI exam topics, speaking plans, readings, listenings and writing exam tasks to prepare for your EOI Exam. I’m sure you’re gonna love it!
You can download it TOTALLY FREE just by clicking this link and start using the free resources to prepare effectively, to save time and find guides, strategies and exam tasks that can’t be found anywhere else.
And remember, PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT so keep up with the hard work and see you soon!
