Teacher resources
Skills for Life
Change to Test Materials
Please note that in the Skills for Life Entry 1 - 3 Speaking and Listening pack for 2008, at Entry 3 the Phase 2a task has been modified. Instead of one gist question and THREE detail questions, each candidate now answers one gist question and TWO detail questions. The Assessment Scales for Entry 3 have also been modified to reflect this change.
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The following downloads are available from this page:
Skills for Life Handbook – Provides an overview of each paper and the administration of the exams.
Pass Rates – Pass rate data for each mode at each level is provided for centres to use for benchmarking purposes. The data is based on the performance of learners taking the examinations during the previous academic year, October to September.
Information on Candidature – Information on candidature is provided for centres to use for planning purposes. The information consists of a statistical breakdown of candidates by age, gender, length of time learning English and first language. The information relates to learners taking the Writing examinations during the previous academic year, October to September.
Sample Papers – Papers made to the same specifications as real tests, but which were made only as examples, and were never used as live tests.
Past Papers – Papers which were used as live tests but which are now available for classroom practice. Please note that not all past exam papers are released in this way, and any versions not available below remain confidential.
Benchmarking – For benchmarking purposes we recommend that past papers are used rather than sample papers.
Exam Reports – Reports on candidate performance on the past papers, including a selection of sample candidate scripts and commentaries (Writing only) and tips for teachers and candidates.
Markschemes – These are provided for each Reading paper. For writing, one marksheme applies to all the papers at each level.
All Modes
(1.01m)
Individual Modes
Choose one of the options below and you will be taken to materials specific to that mode.
ReadingWriting
Speaking &
Listening
Entry 1
Entry 2
Entry 3
Levels 1 & 2
In common with other awarding bodies providing Skills for Life examinations, Cambridge ESOL makes use of the National Literacy Test at Level 1 and Level 2 to provide the Reading examination at those levels.
Practice versions of the National Literacy Test can be found at: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/learning
All Levels
Entry 1
(83k)
Entry 2
(108k)
Entry 3
(187k)
Level 1
(96k)
Level 2
(90k)
All Levels
Entry 1
Entry 2
Entry 3
Level 1
Level 2
