How to pass with Grade 5

Answer all three questions with accurate comprehension and clear summary.

Complete both Section A and Section B with controlled, mostly accurate writing.

Grade 5 candidates show they have understood both texts accurately. You don't need dazzling analysis - you need correct comprehension and sensible comment.

• Answer what the question actually asks (underline key words)
• Pick clear, short quotations to support your points
• Explain what the quote suggests, even if briefly
• Cover at least two or three points per long question
• Use your own words for summary answers

Your writing should communicate clearly. Most sentences should be punctuated correctly, and your ideas should connect from one paragraph to the next.

• Start with a one-minute plan - three or four bullet points
• Use paragraphs - one idea per paragraph
• Vary sentence openings (not every sentence starts with “I” or “The”)
• Use basic punctuation accurately: full stops, commas, apostrophes
• Keep tenses consistent throughout the piece

Most Grade 5 candidates are held back by careless errors - not by lack of ability. Fixing these can push you into Grade 6 territory.

• Read the question twice before starting
• Check the mark allocation - don't overwrite a 2-mark question
• Leave 5 minutes at the end to proofread
• Cross out mistakes with a single line - don't scribble
• Attempt every question - blanks score zero