The CA exam is worth 5% of the student's grade. It is the third of four CA exams and will be taken in the regular classroom for 60 minutes. Students must write at least 50 words to receive full marks and will lose points for writing less. The exam will be graded on word count, task fulfillment, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and organization. The highest score in each category is 3. Studying stories and practicing writing can help students prepare. Spelling, grammar, punctuation, and clearly answering all questions are important.

1. CA ESSAY EXAM STUDY GUIDE
By Belinda Baardsen, American Ex Pat
TEFL Certified ESL Instructor
King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
November 2012

2. Section 135
Marking Criteria
How much is this
Exam worth?
This is one of four
tests, and it is
valued at 5%

3. How many CA Exams are there?
There are four (4)
CA exams total.
You have already
taken 2 CA exams.
This will be your
third (3rd) one.
You will have one
more after this one.

4. Where will I take my CA Exam?
You will
take the CA
exam in your
regular
classroom.

5. How long will the exam be?
The CA Exam
will be 60
minutes!

6. How many words do I have to write?
You have to write 50
words to have the
option of a full mark.
If you write 25 – 40
words; your mark will
be deducted – 1point
for task fulfillment.
Less than 50% - you
will be deducted: 1
mark in all four
categories = - 4

7. What are they grading me on?
1. Word count
2. Task Fulfillment
3. Vocabulary &
spelling
4. Grammar &
punctuation
5. Organization

8. What’s the highest mark for each category?
The best score for each
category is a 3 (three.)
The lowest score is a 0
(zero) if write nothing
about what are asked to
write.
Best scores are a 3
(three) in each category =
12

9. What can I study to help me get a great grade?
 Please review all of the stories
you read in each unit of your first
book.
 Units 1 through 8 have themes:
holidays, travel, and more.
 Look how these stories were
written.
 Read, and practice.

10. Answer all of the questions you are asked.
Where do you live?
I live in Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia, with my parents.
What does your house
look like?
 It’s big. It’s white with green
trim. It has a lot of windows,
but it has a wall around it so
you cannot walk in without
knocking.

11. Does spelling matter?
If I can’t read it; how can I give
you a good mark?

12. Does it make sense?
If it does not make
sense; then I cannot
understand it.
If I cannot understand
it; I cannot give a
good grade.

13. Vocabulary! Use it!
You have worked very
hard these past few
months to learn words
like:
cosmopolitan,
international, credit
card, because, A/An,
The, This is – why not
use it?

14. Grammar! Whatttt….?
Use the grammar
you know:
Plurals
I am
To be
Singular
And more.

15. Punctuation!
Don’t forget to:
Put a period at end of the
sentence.
 Use capitals at the beginning
of a sentence, and when
appropriate: Saudi Arabia,
America, Milano, Belinda,
King Saud University, etc.
 Use comas, and more.

16. Organize your thoughts so I can read it.
Remember to use
paragraphs, and spaces.
Remember to answer the
first question, and then
the next in order, so it
makes sense.
Don’t skip a question, or
leave it out.

17. Exam Rules
1. There is no talking in
class.
2. You cannot use a
dictionary.
3. You cannot ask your
neighbor for help.
4. You cannot go to the
bathroom alone.
5. You must stay in class
until the exam time is
finished.

18. Believe in yourself the way I believe I you!
Remember: to study is to provide
the tools to your own success, and
to have belief that through hard
work that you can achieve your
goals, and dreams.
I believe in you!
Your teacher, Belinda