The Complete Guide To Get A 7 For IB Spanish Initio

Taking a language exam can be intimidating. That is because it is difficult to understand a completely different language. However, it is not impossible and can easily be done if you focus and work hard.

Getting 7 points is a difficult job when it comes to IB examinations but with the right preparation techniques, you can get there. Here is your complete guide to getting 7 points in IB Spanish Initio examination.

IB Spanish Initio Exam

Before we dive into preparations you need to understand the structure of the IB exam so that you can prepare accordingly and score well. Two kinds of assessments take place in any IB language initio course. These include:

1. Internal Assessment
2. External Assessment

The internal assessment is introduced to test the listening and speaking ability of the student in a conversation format. This is done to engage interactive, productive, and receptive skills.

In this assessment, there are follow-up questions that an examiner will ask based on a visual stimulus. Apart from that, you also have to engage in a general conversation with the teacher, and you are marked on your verbal skills. The paper consists of 30 marks.

The second type of assessment is the external assessment. This includes 2 examination papers:

1. Paper 1: This tests your receptive skills as you have to demonstrate the ability to understand the written language (30 marks)
2. Paper 2: This includes a written assignment and 2 short writing exercises (25 marks for listening and 40 marks for reading)

The Spanish Initio topics will come from a total of 3 themes. These include:

1. The rural and urban environment
2. Individual and society
3. Leisure and work

You have to understand the topics that cover all these three themes and study accordingly so that you can score well in the subject.

Tips For Preparing For IB Spanish Initio

Now that you know what the exam will consist of, it is time to understand how to score well so you can get that 7.

Here are the most important tips that will come in handy when preparing for the IB Spanish Initio exam:

#1. Learn Time Management

It can take time to finish a language paper because you have to make sure you comprehend everything correctly. This is why you need to practice managing your time in the right way.

To practice this, you should first read all the questions of the paper and then go back to the text to find the answer, especially in Paper 1. This way you will not have to waste time reading every single thing as you can only look for the answers to the questions.

When you sit down to study and solve past papers, you should always time yourself and work consciously towards reducing your time in every practice. Doing this will help you during the exam as you will be done early and then you can spend time on revision and double-checking your answers.

#2. Prepare Your Vocabulary List

This is something many people miss out on but if you want a 7 then you need to prepare a vocabulary list for your exam. Firstly, you should prepare a list of some terms and synonyms that can be used frequently and applied to any topic.

Doing this will help you have a list that can be used for anything and anywhere. Once this is done, you should also make a list of vocabulary that can be applied to specific topics. This will help you narrow your list and give you a set of vocabulary that can be applied to different topics.

Both your vocabulary lists should include a list of connectors, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. This will diversify your language and will make the examiner think that you know the language inside out.

So, it doesn't matter if you choose to write about science, technology, leisure, health, or cultural diversity and traditions as you can prepare a list for every topic. Doing this early on during your preparation will save you a lot of time and effort during your exam.

This is a technique many people overlook but you should do this if you want to score well and not waste time during the paper.

#3. Show The Examiners You Know How To Use Verb Tenses

This is something every examiner looks for because they need to know if you know how to use verb tenses. So, they will be expecting a lot of verb tenses as this displays the ability to understand a new language. However, this doesn’t mean that you fill the paper with verb tenses. You have to use them with the right conjugation.

If you want to make your Spanish writing stand out from the rest of the students then you will need to build a vocabulary list of general verbs that you can utilize throughout the exam.

Apart from that, you will also have to make a vocabulary list of some irregular verbs so that your writing can stand out from the average students. Another important thing you must remember is the structure.

You have to write the verb tenses in proper past, present, and future tenses. This demonstrates the ability that you know the relevant composition and structure of your writing. So, you have to understand the verb tenses in these three different structures when you are revising for your exam.

Knowing the language is one thing but applying it to your writing is a completely different game and you need to excel at both if you want to score well.

#4. Make Studying A Priority

Hard work pays off. This is why you need to give time to your Spanish exam preparation every day. You have to set aside a time and make sure that you study for that duration every day.

Unless you prioritize this time you will not score well. This is because doing so will ensure that you have prepared everything beforehand and you will have ample time left before your exam for revision.

At least try to set aside two hours of your time every day for your Spanish Initio Exam preparation. This will give you plenty of time to practice past papers, make vocabulary lists, and understand the language in different contexts.

You have to be willing to give this much time so you can at least score a 7 in your exam. Also, start studying months before your exam so that you can divide your studying over a long period.

Doing so will ensure that you are not overwhelmed or overburdened with a lot of studying in one go. Dividing it in this way will make the task easier and enjoyable for you.

#5. Make Flashcards

If you are not having fun while learning a new language then you are doing it wrong. So, make the experience fun by adding some fun things such as flashcards to your studying time.

Make flashcards of different topics, themes, words, structures, and much more to help you divide your language into a few subtopics. This will make it easier for you to learn as you can refer to the required flashcard whenever you have a query or need to revise.

Once you do this, you can ask someone to test you based on your flashcards. Even science backs up the fact that you retain more information when you are studying through flashcards.

If you want to take this one step further then you can place flashcards in different places of your room that you see every day. For example, you can place some flashcards on your nightstand, dresser, bathroom mirror, study table, and other places you visit frequently.

This way every time you go to your mirror or dresser you will be compelled to pick up the flashcard and learn again. This will help you in retaining the information and in remembering it easily. When you see a lot of something you automatically remember it.

#6. Practice Past Papers

Download past papers here: https://www.spanishfaster.org/ibspanishpastpapers.htm

This will help you in a myriad of ways. It will help you understand and expect the different kinds of questions that can come in your exam. Apart from that, it will aid you in managing your time so that you can be done early on the day of your exam.

Practice makes perfect and this is why you should solve past papers every day. At least aim for solving one paper every day so that by the time your exam comes near you can be done with almost all of them. If you have difficulties, consider getting a private IB tutor to help you.

This is something everyone does but if you need to score a 7 then you will have to do this too because it will benefit you in many ways.

Final Words

As a student that wants to score 7 in IB Spanish Initio, you need to follow this complete guide. Apply these tips to your everyday studying time and remember to be consistent. You have to work hard and apply these techniques consistently to see amazing results.

Also read: The Ultimate Guide to IB Tuition in Singapore