Ultimate Exam Guide: Tips & Strategies for Success
General Exam Strategies
1. Master Time Management
✅ Divide your time effectively:
1 hour for Reading Section
1 hour for Writing Section
1 hour for Grammar and Revision
✅ Prioritize high-mark questions:
Spend more time on Reading 4 and Free Writing II, as these carry
significant weight.
✅ Leave time for review:
Reserve 10–15 minutes for checking grammar, coherence, and
spelling errors.
2. Read Instructions Carefully
🔹 Misreading instructions = lost marks.
🔹 Check word limits, required formats, and specific directives (e.g., "Write in
about 100 words").
🔹 If unsure, reread the question before answering.
3. Attempt Every Question
📝 There’s no negative marking, so write something for every question,
even if you’re unsure.
4. Stay Focused and Confident
💡 Avoid last-minute cramming – revise strategically.
💡 Stay calm and trust your preparation.
💡 Get enough sleep before the exam for better concentration.
Reading Section Strategies (40 Marks)
1. Read Smartly
👀 Skim the passage first for the main idea.
🔍 Scan for key details when answering questions.
2. Understand Question Types
🔹 Literal Comprehension → Find direct answers from the text.
🔹 Reorganization → Summarize or rephrase given information.
🔹 Inference → Read between the lines to deduce meanings.
🔹 Evaluation → Express a well-supported opinion based on the text.
3. Master Vocabulary-Based Questions
🔹 For Reading 4, understand words in context rather than memorizing
definitions.
4. Practice Unseen Passages
📚 Read news articles, biographies, advertisements, and editorials to
improve comprehension.
5. Answer with Precision
✅ True/False: Look for keywords to confirm correctness.
✅ Fill in the Blanks: Use context clues to determine the best word.
✅ Short Answer Questions: Keep answers concise yet complete.
✅ Matching & Ordering: Identify relationships before matching.
Writing Section Strategies (35 Marks)
1. Guided Writing (10 Marks)
📝 Stick to the format (e.g., notices, biographies, letters).
🔹 Use structured layouts (headings, bullet points when necessary).
🔹 Keep language clear and concise.
2. Free Writing (14 Marks)
✅ Plan before writing → Outline the introduction, body, and conclusion.
✅ Use varied vocabulary and sentence structures for fluency.
✅ Check coherence, grammar, and punctuation.
3. Writing Different Types of Essays
📖 Narrative Essays → Follow a chronological structure.
🖋 Descriptive Essays → Use sensory details to enhance imagery.
🗣 Argumentative Essays → Provide logical reasoning and evidence.
4. Formal & Creative Writing
📩 Formal Writing → Use polite, professional language (e.g., formal
letters, applications, emails, notices, etc.).
✍️Creative Writing → Use vivid examples, logical flow, and engaging
descriptions.
Grammar Section Strategies (11 Marks)
1. Common Grammar Topics to Revise
🔹 Tenses – Understand all 12 tenses and their uses.
🔹 Articles & Prepositions – Avoid random guessing; learn their rules.
🔹 Voice (Active & Passive) – Ensure correct transformations.
🔹 Reported Speech – Check tense shifts and pronoun changes.
🔹 Subject-Verb Agreement – Ensure correct verb forms.
🔹 Question Tags & Conditionals – Follow proper rules for structure.
🔹 Relative Clauses, Modals, & Causative Verbs – Focus on their correct
usage.
2. Answering MCQs & Transformations
✅ Read the full sentence before choosing an answer.
✅ Eliminate incorrect options first.
✅ Pay attention to subject-verb agreement and tense consistency.
✅ Practice daily with past papers.
Final Exam-Day Tips
🔹 Stay Calm and Confident – Stress lowers performance. Take deep
breaths.
🔹 Write Neatly and Clearly – Examiners appreciate organized answers.
🔹 Use a Pencil for Rough Work – Plan before writing long responses.
🔹 Stick to the Answer Sheet Limits – Avoid excessive, off-topic writing.
1. Master Time Management
Divide Your Time Wisely:
o Reading Section (40 marks): 1 hour
o Writing Section (35 marks): 1 hour
o Grammar Section (11 marks): 30 minutes
o Revision: 30 minutes
Prioritize High-Mark Questions: Spend more time on Reading 4 (15
marks) and Free Writing II (8 marks).
Don’t Get Stuck: If you’re unsure about a question, move on and
return to it later.
2. Reading Section (40 Marks)
Strategy for Success:
1. Skim and Scan:
o Quickly skim the passage to understand the main idea.
o Scan for specific details when answering questions.
2. Understand Question Types:
o Literal Comprehension (16 marks): Find direct answers in the
text.
o Reorganization (8 marks): Summarize or rephrase
information.
o Inference (8 marks): Deduce answers by reading between the
lines.
o Evaluation (3 marks): Reflect on the text and give your
opinion.
3. Practice Unseen Passages:
o Read different text types (e.g., news articles, biographies,
advertisements) to improve comprehension.
o Focus on understanding the context for vocabulary-based
questions in Reading 4.
4. Answer Smartly:
o Look for keywords in questions and locate them in the passage.
o Keep answers concise but complete for short-answer questions.
o Avoid over-explaining; stick to the point.
3. Writing Section (35 Marks)
Guided Writing (10 Marks):
Follow the Format: Stick to the required format (e.g., notice, letter,
recipe).
Be Precise: Use clear and concise language.
Stick to the Word Limit: Write around 100 words.
Free Writing (14 Marks):
Plan Before Writing: Spend 2–3 minutes outlining your response.
Structure Your Answer:
o Introduction: Start with a strong topic sentence.
o Body: Add supporting details and examples.
o Conclusion: Summarize your points or provide a final thought.
Use Connectors: Words like "however," "therefore," and "in addition"
improve coherence.
Vary Sentence Structure: Mix short and long sentences for a natural
flow.
Formal Writing:
Letters and Applications: Use polite and professional language.
Include all necessary details (e.g., sender’s address, date, subject,
salutation, closing).
Essays: Use descriptive language and vivid examples.
4. Grammar Section (11 Marks)
Key Areas to Focus On:
1. Reproduction/Transformation (6 marks):
o Practice changing sentences (e.g., active to passive, direct to
indirect speech).
o Memorize common question tags and tense rules.
2. Multiple Choice Questions (5 marks):
o Read the entire sentence before choosing the answer.
o Eliminate obviously wrong options.
3. Common Grammar Topics:
o Articles: Use "a" before consonant sounds and "an" before
vowel sounds.
o Prepositions: Memorize common prepositions (e.g., in, on, at,
by).
o Tenses: Understand the context to choose the correct tense.
o Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the verb matches the subject
in number and person.
5. Specific Tips for Each Question Type
1. True/False:
o Look for keywords in the text to confirm the statement.
2. Fill in the Blanks:
o Use context clues to choose the correct word.
3. Matching:
o Read both columns carefully before matching.
4. Short Answer Questions:
o Be concise and to the point. Use evidence from the text.
5. Paragraph Writing:
o Start with a topic sentence, add supporting details, and end with
a conclusion.
6. Final Exam Day Tips
1. Stay Calm and Confident:
o Anxiety can affect performance. Take deep breaths and stay
focused.
2. Write Neatly and Clearly:
o Examiners appreciate well-organized answers.
3. Use a Pencil for Rough Work:
o Plan before writing long answers.
4. Revise Before Submitting:
o Spare 10–15 minutes at the end to check for errors in grammar,
spelling, and coherence.
7. Last-Minute Preparation Plan
Day 1-2: Revise grammar rules and practice transformations.
Day 3: Practice reading comprehension (both seen and unseen
passages).
Day 4: Write at least one essay, one letter, and one application.
Day 5: Solve a full SEE model question under timed conditions.
Day 6: Review mistakes and revise weak areas.
Day 7 (Before Exam): Light revision and relaxation.
8. Bonus Tips
Answer Every Question: There is no negative marking, so attempt
all questions even if unsure.
Stay Positive: Believe in your abilities and stay confident.
Practice Regularly: Solve sample questions and past papers to build
confidence.
Rest Well: Get a good night’s sleep before the exam to stay fresh and
focused.
Sample Answers for Practice
1. Guided Writing (Rules for Park Visitors):
o Visitors must keep the park clean and use trash bins.
o Do not pluck flowers or harm plants and animals.
o Avoid loud noises to maintain peace.
o Children must be accompanied by adults.
o Follow all park rules for a pleasant experience.
2. Formal Message (Congratulations):
o Dear [Friend's Name],
o I am thrilled to hear that you won the title of 'Best Player' in the
inter-school volleyball tournament. Your hard work, dedication,
and teamwork have truly paid off. This achievement is a
testament to your talent and perseverance. Congratulations on
this well-deserved success! I wish you many more victories in the
future.
o Warm regards, [Your Name]
3. Paragraph (Impact of Video Games):
o Excessive playing of video games can have both mental and
social impacts. Mentally, it can lead to addiction, reduced
concentration, and poor academic performance. Socially, it may
cause isolation, as players often spend hours alone, neglecting
real-life relationships. However, moderate gaming can improve
problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. It is essential
to balance gaming with other activities to maintain a healthy
lifestyle.
4. Essay (Favorite Food):
o My favorite food is momo, a delicious Nepali dish. Momo looks
like small, steamed dumplings with a thin outer layer of dough.
The filling inside can be chicken, vegetables, or buff, seasoned
with spices. When served, momo smells heavenly, with a mix of
garlic, ginger, and herbs. The taste is a perfect blend of savory
and spicy, especially when dipped in tomato chutney. The soft
texture of the dough and the juicy filling make every bite
delightful. Momo is not just food; it’s an emotion that brings
people together.
With these stronger, actionable, and concise tips, your students will be
well-prepared to tackle the SEE English exam confidently and effectively.
Best of luck to them!
