Mandatory Verbs: Every single response provided by the student must contain a conjugated verb to be considered a complete thought.
Avoidance of One-Word Answers: Simple 'yes' or 'no' responses, or single nouns, are insufficient for marks; students must frame their answers in short sentences.
Clarity and Pronunciation: While minor errors are often overlooked if the message is clear, the focus is on successful communication of the required information.
| Feature | Foundation Tier | Higher Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Information Density | 1 piece per bullet | Mix of 1 and 2 pieces |
| Tense Requirements | Present tense | Present + Past or Future |
| Total Marks | 10 marks | 10 marks |
| Duration | 1 - 1.5 minutes | 1 - 1.5 minutes |
Preparation Time: Use the 15 minutes of supervised prep time to write out full sentences for each bullet point to ensure all requirements (like verbs and tenses) are met.
Clarification Requests: If a question is not understood, students should ask for repetition in Spanish (e.g., '¿Cómo?' or 'Repita, por favor') rather than staying silent.
Bullet Tracking: Mentally or physically check off each bullet point as it is completed to ensure no required information is omitted, especially the mandatory question.
Missing the Verb: Students often lose marks by providing a correct noun but forgetting to include a verb (e.g., saying 'The beach' instead of 'I like the beach').
Insufficient Information (Higher): On the Higher tier, failing to provide two pieces of information for the specific bullets that require them will result in a loss of marks.
Ignoring the Question Prompt: Forgetting to actually ask a question when the bullet point instructs it is a frequent error that limits the maximum score.
