The written components of O- and N-Level English exams consist of multiple sections that aim to assess students on different reading and/or writing skills. From editing to reading comprehension, the papers test essential English skills that are foundational to good command of the language. In order to score well, it is essential to do equally well for all components. Whether you want to cover all bases or focus on specific skills, this guide will help you choose the right assessment books to meet your exam goals.
Grammar
A grasp of basic grammar is not just applicable to the MCQ, cloze passage and editing sections—it is indispensable for expressing yourself in the language, whether it is through speaking or writing. Assessment books for grammar practice that include clear explanations of various grammatical concepts will be helpful for gaining an understanding of grammatical rules. Suitable learning resources should also include an appropriate amount of practice questions, allowing you to get familiar with applying the rules of English grammar in the different exam components.
Vocabulary
The best way to expand vocabulary is through reading. Read as much as possible from a variety of reading resources and genres, and note down any unfamiliar words you encounter, including their meanings. It is important to understand that vocabulary assessment books are not meant to help you learn new words, but to guide you on using them in the right context. There are many English words with similar meanings or similar spellings that can confuse students. Vocabulary exercises help students develop the skills to communicate with others effectively using the right words.
Editing
In this component, you are tasked to identify and correct grammatical errors within a given passage. To do well, you will need a keen eye for detail and a solid understanding of English grammar. Students usually find themselves having to read the passage multiple times in order to identify all the grammatical errors. Good assessment books that focus on editing skills will have exercises on common error types to help you familiarise with the grammatical rules involved as well as how these errors may show up in a piece of text.
Reading Comprehension
The length and complexity of the reading comprehension component is often perceived to be daunting by students, but scoring well in this marks-heavy section can have a significant impact on your exam score. The best assessment books to hone your reading comprehension skills should introduce you to the different question types that can appear in an exam, as well as the approach you should take to answer each one. For example, inference questions require you to draw conclusions that are not stated in the passage based on information that is given, and questions on the use of figurative language tests your fundamental understanding of how different figures of speech are used and for what purpose. With an improved understanding of how to answer different question types and how to extract the required information from the passage provided, you will be well on your way to acing the reading comprehension component in your exam.
Situational/Continuous Writing
These two different forms of writing are tested at the N- and O-levels. Situational writing involves writing a shorter piece based on a given visual text, paying attention to the context, audience and purpose of the writing. For instance, writing an informal email to a family member regarding holiday plans, or writing a speech addressed to the whole school about a new student club initiative. In continuous writing, students are required to choose one out of four essay questions of different topics and essay types to write about. There are many assessment books that provide a variety of sample essay questions, giving students the opportunity to get comfortable with writing different types of essays and exploring a range of topics and issues. Look out for resources that also provide writing tips and model essays which you can learn from and gain a better understanding of the expectations required in the English exam.
We hope this non-exhaustive list will aid you in your hunt for the best assessment books for your study goals, whether that is to get better at essay writing or to improve their understanding of grammar. Assessment books are useful learning companions for students seeking to improve their English exam skills. Don’t be afraid to explore the plethora of options out there, as there is bound to be something out there for every student and their academic needs.