Mastering the Writing Sections of CambridgeExams: Stratagies, Tips, and Templates for Success.

The Cambridge English Exams are a set of prestigious and globally recognized qualifications that assess a learner’s proficiency in English across a range of skill levels. One of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of these exams is the Writing section, which evaluates a candidate’s ability to produce clear, structured, and contextually appropriate written texts. Whether you’re preparing for the A2 Key (KET), B1 Preliminary (PET), B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), or C2 Proficiency (CPE), this comprehensive guide offers in-depth tips, strategies, and templates tailored to each level to help you excel.

Overview of the Writing Sections by Exam Level

A2 Key (KET) Writing

Time: Included in the Reading and Writing paper (60 minutes)
Tasks:

• Part 1: Sentence transformation (e.g., completing sentences using different grammatical structures)
• Part 2: Short message (25–35 words), such as a note, postcard, or email

B1 Preliminary (PET) Writing

Time: 45 minutes
Tasks:

• Part 1: Write an email (about 100 words)
• Part 2: Write either a story or an article (about 100 words)

B2 First (FCE) Writing

Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Tasks:

• Part 1: Essay (compulsory, 140–190 words)
• Part 2: Choose one of: article, letter/email, report, review, or story (140–190 words)

C1 Advanced (CAE) Writing

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Tasks:

• Part 1: Essay (compulsory, 220–260 words)
• Part 2: Choose one of: proposal, report, letter/email, review (220–260 words)

C2 Proficiency (CPE) Writing

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Tasks:

• Part 1: Essay (compulsory, 240–280 words)
• Part 2: Choose one of: article, report, proposal, review, or letter (280–320 words)

General Writing Tips for All Levels

1. Understand the Task Requirements
   Each level has specific requirements regarding format, tone, and length. Read the question carefully and highlight keywords. Make sure you identify:

   • The purpose (to inform, persuade, recommend, etc.)
   • The audience (friends, teachers, the public)
   • The register (formal, semi-formal, informal)

2. Plan Before You Write
   Spend 3–5 minutes brainstorming ideas and structuring your response. This helps avoid repetition and keeps your text coherent.

3. Use Linking Devices and Paragraphs
   Organize your text with clear paragraphs (introduction, body, conclusion). Use connectors like “Firstly,” “Moreover,” “However,” and “In conclusion.”

4. Proofread
   Always leave time at the end (3–5 minutes) to check for:

   • Spelling errors
   • Grammar mistakes
   • Sentence structure
   • Punctuation

Templates and Tips by Level

A2 Key (KET)

Part 1: Sentence Transformation
Tips:

• Focus on basic grammatical transformations (e.g., verb tense, pronouns).
• Practice using synonyms and sentence structures.

Part 2: Short Message Template (Note/Postcard/Email)

Structure Template:

Hi [Name],
Thanks for your [invitation/message/question]. 

I’m happy to [give info/respond].

[Give extra detail or reason]
[Close politely]

See you soon!
[Your Name]

Example:

Hi Anna,

Thanks for your message. I’d love to come to 

your party on Saturday. I’ll bring some snacks 

with me.

See you soon!
John

B1 Preliminary (PET)

Part 1: Email Writing Tips

• Use informal language (but not slang)
• Respond to all prompts in the question
• Use contractions and friendly tone

Email Template:

Hi [Name],

It was great to hear from you. I’m writing to 

[reason for writing].

[Answer first prompt]

[Answer second prompt]

[Answer third prompt / Add more detail]

See you soon!
[Your Name]

Part 2: Article or Story

• Article: Make it interesting; give opinions
• Story: Use past tenses; include an interesting ending

Story Template:

It was a [description of day]. I was 

[doing something] when suddenly...

[Describe the problem or interesting event]

[Explain what happened next]

In the end, [conclusion with a twist or 

reflection].

B2 First (FCE)

Part 1: Essay

Tips:

• Formal tone
• Develop arguments with examples
• Use connectors (Firstly, Secondly, In contrast)

Essay Template:

Introduction:
In today’s world, [paraphrase topic]. 

This essay will discuss [Point A] and [Point B]

and give my opinion.

Paragraph 1:
One important aspect is [Point A]. 

For example, [example]. 

As a result, [effect or opinion].

Paragraph 2:
Another factor to consider is [Point B]. 

This can be seen in [example]. 

Therefore, [consequence or opinion].

Conclusion:
In conclusion, while both points are important, 

I believe that [final opinion].

Part 2: Optional Texts (Article, Report, Review, etc.)

Article Template:

Title: [Catchy Title]

Introduction:
Have you ever [engaging question]? 

In this article, I’ll tell you about [topic].

Paragraph 1:
[Main idea or opinion]

Paragraph 2:
[Supporting argument or experience]

Conclusion:
To sum up, [your opinion or recommendation]

Review Template:

Title: A Review of [Book/Movie]

Introduction:
I recently [read/saw] [name]. 

It is about [brief summary].

Paragraph 1:
What I liked about it was [positive points].

Paragraph 2:
However, I didn’t like [negative points].

Conclusion:
All in all, I would recommend it to 

[who should read/watch it].

C1 Advanced (CAE)

Part 1: Essay (Formal and Analytical)

Essay Template:

Introduction:
The topic of [paraphrase topic] has been widely 

debated. This essay will examine [main points] 

and present a personal viewpoint.

Paragraph 1:
Firstly, [Point A] is important because 

[reason]. A good example is [example]. 

This shows that [analysis].

Paragraph 2:
Secondly, [Point B] plays a significant role in

 [context]. For instance, [example]. 

Consequently, [result or implication].

Paragraph 3 (optional):
However, it must also be considered that 

[counterargument]. Nevertheless, [rebuttal or 

defense].

Conclusion:
To conclude, both [Point A] and [Point B] 

have their merits. Personally, I believe 

[final opinion] because [reason].

Part 2: Proposal Template

Title: Proposal to Improve [Situation]

Introduction:
This proposal outlines suggestions for 

improving [situation], based on [survey/research].

Current Situation:
At present, [describe current condition].

Suggestions:
- First suggestion: [Details]
- Second suggestion: [Details]

Benefits:
Implementing these suggestions would result 

in [positive outcomes].

Conclusion:
I strongly recommend that [final recommendation].

Report Template:

Title: Report on [Topic]

Introduction:
This report aims to describe [topic] and 

recommend improvements.

Findings:
[Observation 1]
[Observation 2]

Recommendations:
Based on the above, the following actions are 

suggested:

- [Suggestion 1]
- [Suggestion 2]

Conclusion:
These measures would greatly enhance [topic].

C2 Proficiency (CPE)

Part 1: Essay (Sophisticated and Academic Tone)

Essay Template:

Introduction:
In recent years, [issue] has become increasingly 

significant. This essay will critically evaluate 

[Point A] and [Point B] before drawing a 

conclusion.

Paragraph 1:
[Point A] is often considered [description]. 

One argument in favor of this is 

[example/quote]. However, this perspective is 

limited by [criticism].

Paragraph 2:
In contrast, [Point B] offers [alternative 

perspective]. Supporting this is the fact 

that [evidence/example]. Nonetheless, it is 

worth noting [limitation].

Conclusion:
To summarise, both arguments have their 

strengths and weaknesses. However, I contend 

that [final thesis], as it better addresses 

[context or future implications].

Part 2: Review Template (Advanced)

Title: [A Thought-Provoking Journey – 

Review of ‘Title’]

Introduction:
‘[Title]’ by [Author/Director] is a [genre] 

that explores [themes]. It provides a compelling 

insight into [topic].

Evaluation:
The strength of the [book/film/play] lies in 

its [writing, acting, cinematography]. 

Particularly noteworthy is [example].

Critique:
Despite its merits, the [work] occasionally 

suffers from [limitation], which detracts 

from [impact].

Conclusion:
Ultimately, ‘[Title]’ is a [positive/negative] 

contribution to [genre/topic]. It will appeal 

to those interested in [recommendation].

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Answering All Parts of the Question
   Read carefully and tick off each requirement as you write.

2. Using the Wrong Register
   Avoid slang in formal writing and avoid being too formal in a friendly email.

3. Overusing Complex Vocabulary Incorrectly
   Use advanced vocabulary, but ensure it’s accurate and natural.

4. No Paragraphs or Bad Structure
   Always separate ideas clearly and logically.

5. Not Managing Time Well
   Practice under timed conditions to ensure you can finish and revise.

Final Tips for Exam Success

• Practice Regularly
  Write a range of text types and ask a teacher or peer for feedback.

• Read Sample Answers
  Understand what earns high marks and notice what examiners are looking for.

• Use a Grammar and Vocabulary Notebook
  Keep track of useful phrases, connectors, and sentence structures.

• Memorize Flexible Phrases
  Especially for introductions and conclusions (e.g., "It is widely believed that...", "To sum up...")

• Stay Calm and Focused
  Even if the topic seems unfamiliar, focus on clear structure and expression.

The Writing sections of the Cambridge Exams, from A2 Key to C2 Proficiency, offer a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in English. While the requirements vary across levels, the key to success remains the same: understand the task, organize your ideas, write clearly and accurately, and revise your work. With consistent practice, a good grasp of templates, and an awareness of tone and style, you’ll be well-equipped to achieve a high score. Remember: writing is not just a test of grammar, but a showcase of your thinking and communication skills.