Spanish

    OCR
    GCSE

    This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

    14

    Topics

    0

    Objectives

    56

    Exam Tips

    59

    Pitfalls

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    Key Features

    • Master key concepts
    • Develop exam technique
    • Apply knowledge effectively

    Assessment Objectives

    AO1
    25%

    Listening: Understand and respond to different types of spoken language.

    AO2
    25%

    Speaking: Communicate and interact in speech.

    AO3
    25%

    Reading: Understand and respond to different types of written language.

    AO4
    25%

    Writing: Communicate in writing.

    What Gets Top Grades

    A*/Grade 9

    Knowledge & Understanding

    Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge

    • Uses correct subject-specific terminology
    • Shows detailed understanding of concepts
    • Makes accurate connections between topics
    • Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge

    Application

    Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts

    • Selects relevant knowledge for the question
    • Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
    • Uses examples appropriately
    • Shows awareness of context

    Analysis & Evaluation

    Develops sophisticated analytical arguments

    • Constructs logical chains of reasoning
    • Considers multiple perspectives
    • Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
    • Acknowledges limitations and nuances

    Key Command Words

    OCR
    State
    1 mark

    Give a single fact or term

    Identify
    1 mark

    Name or select

    Describe
    2-4 marks

    Account of process or features

    Explain
    3-6 marks

    Give reasons with BUSINESS-FACING outcomes

    Analyse
    6-9 marks

    Examine methodically showing cause→effect→outcome

    Evaluate
    9-12 marks

    Judge, weigh up evidence, reach SYNOPTIC conclusion

    Common Exam Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

    • •Confusion between 'ser' and 'estar' when describing people (e.g., using 'estar' for permanent personality traits).
    • •Failure to agree adjectives with the subject in gender and number (e.g., writing 'mi madre es alto').
    • •Incorrect use of possessive adjectives, specifically confusing 'su' (his/her/their) with 'tu' (your).
    • •Omission of the personal 'a' when referring to specific people as direct objects (e.g., 'visito mis abuelos' instead of 'visito a mis abuelos').
    • •Confusion between 'ser' and 'estar' when describing locations of towns versus characteristics of the region.
    • •Incorrect use of 'por' vs 'para' when discussing causes of pollution or purposes of recycling.
    • •Gender errors with deceptive nouns such as 'el problema', 'el clima', 'el planeta', and 'el mapa'.
    • •Overuse of the present tense when the task requires narration of a past holiday or future plans.

    Top Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for exam success

    • •In the Photo Card task, use the PALM strategy (Physical, Action, Location, Mood) to generate sufficient detail for the 'Describe the photo' prompt.
    • •For the 150-word essay, ensure you include at least two distinct time frames and two justified opinions to satisfy the content criteria.
    • •In Listening, anticipate 'distractors'—answers that are mentioned but negated (e.g., 'I used to like football, but now...').
    • •When translating into Spanish, check the position of object pronouns; they must precede the conjugated verb.
    • •Speaking: In the General Conversation, extend answers using the 'Point + Opinion + Justification' method to access higher mark bands.
    • •Writing: Use the 'se impersonal' (e.g., 'se debe reciclar') to formulate general recommendations for environmental problems.
    • •Reading: Watch for negation and qualifiers (e.g., 'apenas', 'ya no') that alter the meaning of positive statements about local facilities.
    • •Listening: Focus on the tense of the verb heard to distinguish between what 'has happened' regarding local improvements and what 'is planned'.

    Specification Topics

    14 topics

    Identity and Culture

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Current and Future Study and Employment

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Verb Tenses

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Pronouns

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Adjectives

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Adverbs

    0 objectives4 tips5 pitfalls

    Sentence Structure

    0 objectives4 tips5 pitfalls

    Conditional Sentences

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Passive Voice

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Listening Comprehension

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Reading Comprehension

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Speaking Skills

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Writing Skills

    0 objectives4 tips5 pitfalls

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