Managing your time and getting ready for exam day
By the end of this lesson you know how to use your time well in each test and how to get ready in the last weeks and on exam day.
5 min · Level A2+
In written tests with questions: if a question is difficult, move on to the next one and come back later. If a wrong answer costs no points (read the instructions), don't leave answers blank at the end. When you manage the time yourself, keep 5 minutes at the end to check and, if there is an answer sheet, to copy your answers onto it.
We can't tell you which documents you need: read the notice or ask your exam centre. A little anxiety is normal: breathe, read the first instruction calmly and begin.
CILS: each test has its own time (listening 30 minutes, reading 40, writing 40). In listening the recording includes the time to answer: follow the audio. In listening and reading a wrong answer scores 0, like a blank one: always answer.
CELI: reading and writing share one single time of 2 hours. Decide beforehand how to split it between the 4 reading tasks and the 3 writing tasks, and watch the clock.
PLIDA: each test has its own time (listening about 40 minutes, reading 40, writing 60). In writing count your words: a text under the minimum is annulled.
CERT.IT: listening, reading and writing are one single 90-minute block. Make a plan, especially for splitting your time between reading and writing.
On the page
Ho saltato la domanda 4: ci torno alla fine.
I skipped question 4: I'll come back to it at the end.
Prima di cominciare leggo tutte le istruzioni.
Before starting I read all the instructions.
Ho ancora cinque minuti per controllare.
I still have five minutes to check.
Domani esco presto per arrivare in anticipo.
Tomorrow I'm leaving early so as to arrive ahead of time.
Questa settimana ripasso i miei errori, niente di nuovo.
This week I'm reviewing my mistakes, nothing new.
Common mistakes
✗ Resto dieci minuti su una domanda difficile.→ Passo alla domanda dopo e torno alla fine.
A single question is worth few points; the time you lose is missing for the easy questions.
✗ La sera prima studio fino a tardi un argomento nuovo.→ La sera prima ripasso i miei errori e vado a dormire presto.
At the last minute a new topic confuses you. Sleep helps more than one extra hour of study.
✗ Non leggo le istruzioni: so già com'è l'esame.→ Leggo ogni istruzione, anche se conosco l'esame.
The instructions say what to do in that task: reading them avoids careless mistakes.
Check yourself
Una domanda è troppo difficile. Che cosa fai?
Nell'ultima settimana è meglio studiare molti argomenti nuovi.
Quali documenti porti il giorno dell'esame?
Una simulazione completa con il tempo ti aiuta a capire come dividere il tempo.
CELI: quanto tempo hanno lettura e scrittura?
CERT.IT: quanto dura il blocco con ascolto, lettura e scrittura?
In one line
Skip and come back, keep 5 minutes to check and, if mistakes cost no points, leave no blanks; in the last weeks a mock exam and reviewing your mistakes; documents and rules: follow your exam centre.
civicoach practice booklet · not an official document