In the newly formatted O-Level Oral exam, the Read Aloud portion will be replaced by the Planned Response component. Students will be given 10 minutes to watch a video clip and plan their response to an accompanying prompt, before delivering a spiel of up to two minutes. Next, students will proceed to the Spoken Interaction section, where examiners will ask questions broadly related to the theme of the video. Students must respond on the spot, demonstrating their ability to think and speak spontaneously. In short, the new format O-Level Oral exams test students’ ability to present a cohesive and coherent responses in two different sections that require very different skills sets. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the new format O-Level oral exam. First, let us understand the main differences between Planned Response and Spoken Interaction.
The 4 BIG Differences: Oral Planned Response VS Spoken Interaction
The first BIG Difference – The Question
The Second BIG Difference – Processing the Question
The Third BIG Difference – Presenting Your Answers
The Last BIG Difference – Length of Your Responses
Do You Know the Differences Between Visual and Auditory Skills?
Do you know that in the new format O-Level oral exams you are being tested for your visual and auditory skills? Do you have what it takes to ace this exam? In this blog, I would like to take the opportunity to explain more about the differences between these 2 skills – visual and auditory.
Visual skills involve processing and interpreting information through visual stimuli such as images, colors, shapes, and spatial relationships. They enable us to perceive the physical characteristics of our surroundings, recognize objects and people, and comprehend visual representations such as graphs, charts, and maps. Visual skills are closely associated with spatial awareness, pattern recognition, and visual memory. They allow us to absorb information quickly, analyze visual data, and form mental images. Hence, this is why the new format O-Level oral exams introduced the
Auditory skills focus on processing and interpreting information through sound and speech. They enable us to perceive and understand spoken language, discern different pitches and tones, and identify various sounds in our environment. Auditory skills are essential for communication, allowing us to listen, comprehend, and respond effectively to verbal cues. Auditory skills play a vital role in our daily lives, facilitating social interactions, language development, and the interpretation of sound-related information. Hence, students are being tested for their auditory prowess in the Spoken Interaction section – students must engage in a discussion with the examiners on a topic broadly related to the theme of the video prompt shown from the planned response section. The examiners will be asking questions and students must listen to the questions carefully and answer accordingly. Students need to have the auditory skills to help them capture the nuances and emotional qualities conveyed through sound and speech.
Enjoy a Smooth Transition to Tertiary Education
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