By now, it's become a common practice: Euroexam candidates are allowed to use a printed dictionary during each and every part of the exam. Bilingual dictionaries or thesauruses, whatever. So, bring your favourite version to the exam, but check out this warning from an ex-candidate of ours:
It is worth saving the small “teleprompter” as a last resort. It really does not work in an exam situation to look up every second word in the dictionary. Csilla Vincze
Taking Csilla’s point on board, the dictionary can be a great help, admittedly, but you have to use it wisely. It is time-consuming, so you can easily run out of time if you do not use it economically. And anyway, your overall result will not depend on your knowledge of a certain word.
Imagine doing an exam where you can use a dictionary to...
- ...look for more appropriate vocabulary in writing and speaking;
- ...check words in the instructions, questions of the Reading and Listening tests to fully understand your task;
- ...check the correct use of linking words or adverbs in the Writing test;
- ...proofread your writing (e.g. checking prepositions, irregular verbs, idioms etc.);
- ...extend the range of words you want to use (e.g. during the preparation stage for the Speaking test).
What kind of dictionary can I use?
Any printed dictionary which does not have handwritten notes in it is welcome. Bring one-volume dictionaries preferably, ones you know well and can use easily and fast.
- monolingual
- bilingual (e.g. English-Mother Tongue, Mother Tongue-English)
- thesaurus, dictionary of synonyms, idioms, phrasal verbs etc.
Tips on Dictionary Use in Each Test
Reading
You can use a dictionary throughout the whole test. Most candidates will use their English-Mother Tongue bilingual dictionary at Level B2.
- Before deciding to use a dictionary to look up a word in the text, try to guess its meaning by using the context around it. This technique is faster than looking up words.
- Use your dictionary to look up key words in the questions, instructions, and prompts which you need to fully understand the tasks.
- Remember, you have limited time (40’ for 3 tasks), so only look up words or phrases you really need to know the meaning of.
Writing
You can use a dictionary throughout the whole test. At Level B2, your Mother Tongue-English bilingual dictionary would seem to be the most appropriate to look up a few words - and we mean very few - to use in your English text.
- Use the dictionary only if the task or situation itself is not clear enough.
- When writing the text, try not to look up more than 1 or 2 words, since you need all the time to plan your writing and work out how to express the key ideas.
- When you have finished writing, you could quickly check certain words you have used with your English-Mother Tongue bilingual dictionary to make sure they are correct.
Listening
While the recording is being played, you mustn’t use your dictionary. You can use it only during the last 5 minutes, when you are transferring your answers to the Answer Sheet.
- Use the dictionary to look up max. 1 word in the instructions or questions to see if you have understood the task(s) correctly.
- Don’t even try to write down unfamiliar words from the listening texts to look them up in the last 5 minutes.
Speaking
At Level B2, you can use a dictionary during the 10-minute preparation stage for the 2-minute Picture Story task (Task 2). The same applies for the Presentation task of the Euro ProB2 exam.
- Your job during the preparation is to think about the story (or presentation), to note down key words (e.g. past tense verb forms, nouns, adverbs, linking words, ideas, arguments etc.) you will need later. Try to prepare for the delivery of the task without looking up any word.
- Only use the dictionary if you need a key word which is essential to tell the story or deliver the presentation successfully.
- Don’t waste your time by looking up a new word that you may not know how to use.