I managed to finish school even before the Unified State Exam was introduced. Of course, there are many more opponents of such an examination system than supporters, but this is our reality, which is much easier to put up with than to resist.

The Unified State Exam in English is a difficult exam. In 2017, it is unlikely that you will be able to enter a good university with a basic level of passing the English language exam. To get a high score, you need to start preparing for the exam as early as possible.

As we know, the written part consists of 40 tasks, for which students are allocated 3 hours, and includes:

  • listening test;
  • reading test;
  • lexical and grammatical tasks, also in the form of a test;
  • letter consisting of two stages.

It is worth saying that for the first part of the English language exam, a maximum of 80 points is given; if a student needs to increase his score, then he must come on the second day to pass the oral part.

If the written part can be trained by studying independently using all kinds of manuals, then for the oral part you need a teacher.

This post will be devoted to the most successful study guides for preparing for the Unified State Exam in English on your own.

1. Macmillan Exam Skills for Russia

This is the only book to date for preparing for the Unified State Exam, which consists of 15 complete tests in the new Unified State Exam format, including the oral part. When working on the tests, all changes in the exam format were taken into account. The tests were created in collaboration with M.V. Verbitskaya, chairman of the subject commission on foreign languages ​​of the Unified State Examination. The website Macmillan.ru provides additional materials on the Unified State Exam for students and teachers: online tests, audio files, video tips, etc.

2. A.I. Nemykina, A.V. Pochepaeva - Unified State Exam. Oral part

The manual is a collection of tests for testing oral speech skills, as well as a simulator for practicing the skills of passing the oral part of the Unified State Exam in English on a computer. It is with this textbook that you should start preparing for the oral part if you study on your own. At the beginning, a complete analysis of the oral part tasks is given, and then 20 tests with explanatory materials.

3. Afanasyeva O., Evans V., Kopylova V. - Practice Exam Papers for the Russian National Exam

This study guide with an audio application contains 20 versions of English language tests in the Unified State Exam format.
Distinctive features of the textbook are variable tasks corresponding to advanced and high levels of preparation for the Unified State Exam, as well as texts of various genres for listening and reading. It should be noted that there are excellent examples of completing tasks in all types of speech activity.

Download the 2010 manual from this link.

Textbooks from 2007 along with audio are available.

4. Muzlanova E.S. - English language. Unified State Exam textbook

The manual is compiled on a thematic basis and consists of 16 thematic blocks that cover the entire range of topics provided for by the Unified State Examination codifier in English. The blocks consist of 5 sections: reading, listening, speaking, grammar and vocabulary, writing. Each section includes exam-type tasks, as well as useful tips for completing them, which will allow students to successfully prepare for the exam. After completing all tasks, students will be able to check the answers with the keys.

5. Verbitskaya M.V. - Unified State Exam. English language. Typical exam options. 10 (30) options

This textbook is part of the “Unified State Exam” series, known to all graduates. FIPI - school", which was prepared by the developers of control measurement materials for the unified state exam. Available in 2 types: 10 test options and 30 options. The difference, as you understand, is only in the number of tests. The collection of 30 tests contains 15 thematic options for all sections of the Unified State Examination, 15 standard exam options, oral part tasks, instructions for implementation, answers to all tasks, etc.

You can download a textbook from 2015 with 30 options.

6. Yuneva S.A. — Opening up the world with English. 150 essays for the Unified State Exam. Getting ready for the Unified State Exam

The manual is addressed to students independently preparing for the Unified State Exam in English, as well as to teachers who can use it in class and when preparing students for tests, exams or Olympiads. It includes 150 essays compiled in accordance with all the requirements for a written statement with elements of reasoning. The main purpose of this guide is to help students excel in essay writing.

Have you ever tasted saltwater? I guess you have and if so, you will agree with me that it’s not very refreshing. In fact, drinking more than a few cups worth can kill you.

According to the United States Geological Survey, whose mission is to collect and disseminate reliable, impartial, and timely information that is needed to understand the nation’s water resources, about ninety-seven percent of the water on our planet is saltwater; the rest is stored in lakes, rivers, glaciers and aquifers underground. Moreover, only about one-third of the world’s potential fresh water can be used for human needs. As pollution increases, the amount of usable water decreases.

Water is the most precious and taken-for-granted resource we have on Earth. It is also one of the most threatened resources. Increased population and possible climate change will put more and more strain on supplies of this vital resource as time goes on. What could we do in this situation? Though it may seem like science fiction, the solution could lie in outer space.

I’m not saying we’re going to be teleporting to a spring on the other side of the galaxy or colonizing another planet just to have longer showers - it’s much more mundane than that. What we could achieve realistically in this century is the successful use of the solar system’s rare metals and water, barring the invention of the matrix.

You may be surprised to learn that the metal in your keys, coins, cell phone, computer, car and everywhere else, originally came to this planet from space. When Earth formed, the heavy metals sank to the center and formed a solid core. The lighter elements formed the mantle and the crust we live on. Asteroids and comets that struck the Earth brought water and metals to the surface.

There are thousands of asteroids orbiting near Earth. Most asteroids are made of rock, but some are composed of metal, mostly nickel and iron. Probes could be sent out to these to identify useful ones. Then larger probes could push them towards the Earth where they can be handled in orbit.

In order to fuel ships and probes, we simply need to find a source of water, such as a comet or the surface of the moon. We collect the water and pass an electric current through it from a solar panel. The water separates into oxygen and hydrogen, which in liquid form is a powerful rocket fuel.

Is this really possible? We may soon find out. Private company SpaceX has already started delivering equipment to the International Space Station (ISS).

The ISS is proof that countries once at each other’s throats, like America and Russia, can work together and pull off multi-billion dollar projects.

Recently, a company called Planetary Resources Inc. made the news for getting big names like Google and Microsoft to invest in exploring asteroids for material gain. Although it will take many decades, it is wise to put the gears in motion now.

We’ve already landed probes on the surface of asteroids and taken samples from them. We can put something as large as the ISS, which weighs just short of 500 tons, according to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in orbit.

We can make a half-million-mile round-trip to get rocks from the moon. We can do all of these things already. They just need to be applied and developed in a smart way.

Oh, this wonderful school time, with its bright (and not so bright) memories, teachers, subjects, last bells, which, as usual, ends with one special touching event - the last bell. Parents are worried about their child, who will soon take his first step into adulthood.

But before celebrating graduation and entering the desired university, eleventh-graders are forced to play an insidious game called “Unified State Examination in English.” Now, what d"ya know about it?

The Unified State Exam in English is taken when enrolling in humanities majors, for example: philology or linguistics, translation studies or teaching, international relations or regional studies, etc. As you may have already noticed, training in the above-mentioned areas is based on a foreign language, therefore English is considered a core subject.

The exam itself consists of written and oral parts, which are not conducted on more than one day. In the first, students take the written part, which includes: listening, reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary. In total, on this day the graduate needs to complete 40 tasks in 180 minutes. Can you deal with that? A student can receive a maximum of 20 points for each section. So, on the first day you can and should score 80 points.

The second part - the oral part of the Unified State Examination in English - takes place on another day and is taken at will. It lasts only 15 minutes and consists of 4 tasks. During this time, students will have to answer questions and describe pictures. On this day, a graduate can earn another +20 points.

It is logical that taking the oral part makes sense: in case of unsuccessful answers, you do not lose anything, and in case of successful ones, you will earn additional points. Think about it! Thus, a graduate can score a maximum of 100 points in the exam. The minimum score to pass the exam is 22 points. If it’s lower, then everything is lost! Below is the number of Unified State Examination points in English and the corresponding score:

Obviously, I would like to pass the exam with a high score, because there is a chance to enroll, for example, on a budget, and throughout my studies receive a decent scholarship and all sorts of goodies from the state.

Below we present the best ways to prepare for the Unified State Exam in English.

Dates for the Unified State Exam in English 2019

The approved examination schedule should be published in January 2019 (so far we know about the period for passing the main part of the subjects from May 28 to June 20). But today there is an opportunity to learn something interesting:

  • from the second half of March to mid-April 2019, for example, early examinations will take place from March 21 to April 4. However, not all schoolchildren can take the Unified State Exam early. These graduates include those who graduated from school earlier than the 2018/2019 academic year, unsuccessful students from previous years without a certificate, as well as evening school students. Those who decide not to enroll in a university but to serve in the army can also take the test ahead of schedule; children leaving to live abroad; applicants to foreign universities, or those who came to study from abroad. An exception is made for children leaving for sports, cultural or scientific competitions or competitions, as well as for schoolchildren who are prescribed medical procedures during the main testing;
  • From the last days of May to the beginning of June 2019, the main period of the Unified State Examination is scheduled. We hope that the first exams will begin on May 28, 2019;
  • The start of the additional period of the Unified State Exam is announced on September 4, 2019. Additional examinations will take place during the first half of September.

Changes in the Unified State Examination in English 2019

In principle, no special innovations have been noticed at the moment. Although there are some clarifications. For example, according to the wording of the criteria, which have become more specific and unambiguous. If previously questions arose regarding what was considered a violation, then from now on there will be no more such questions. Comparison:

  • 2017 (the task is completed in full: the content reflects all aspects specified in the task (complete answers to all questions are given, three questions are asked on the specified topic); the style of speech is chosen correctly, taking into account the purpose of the statement and the addressee; the norms of politeness accepted in the language are observed);
  • 2018 (the task is completed in full: the content reflects all aspects specified in the task (complete and accurate answers to all questions are given, three questions on the specified topic are asked correctly); the style of speech is chosen correctly, taking into account the purpose of the statement and the addressee; the norms of politeness accepted in the language are observed ( 1 incomplete or inaccurate aspect is allowed). The wording of task 4 in the “Speaking” block has been clarified.

Bonuses are good, but to successfully overcome this challenge, it is important to understand its strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, now we’ll talk about the structure of the exam, which is divided into four main blocks and one additional one (195 minutes).

Listening Comprehension

In the first block (30 minutes), the student completes 3 tasks. The examiners turn on the recording and do not stop it until the very end, but there are pauses between fragments to read the tasks and transfer the answers to the form. For each correct answer in this and other parts of the exam, the student receives 1 point.

  • The first task is to listen to 6 statements and correlate them with statements, one of which is redundant, that is, you will need to identify correspondences between the main ideas and audio fragments.
  • In the second exercise, dialogue and remarks are given - it is necessary to determine which statements are false (false) and which are true (true), in addition, identify which statements were not stated in the text (not stated).
  • In the remaining 7 tasks (No. 3-9), you are asked to listen to the interview and mark the correct answer out of the three proposed. The student listens to the audio recording and selects the correct answer to each question. For this task you can also get a maximum of 7 points.
Adviсe: delve into the meaning of the words that the announcer says. Answers to assignments may be hidden there.

Reading

In the second block (also 30 minutes), the ability to analyze and isolate basic information from the text is tested. It, like Listening, consists of 3 parts (9 tasks).

  • In task 10, 7 mini-texts are given (3-6 sentences each) and 8 headings that must be selected for each text, with one heading being extra. Maximum points: 7.
  • In task 11, taking into account cause-and-effect relationships and the logic of presentation, you will have to fill in a special text with six gaps. There are 7 passages to fill out. Therefore, there is one extra. Maximum points: 6.
  • In the remaining 7 tasks (No. 12-18) you read a short English text and 7 questions to it. For each question there are 4 possible answers, from which you need to choose the correct one. Maximum points: 7.
Adviсe: try not to spend more than 10 minutes on one task; delve into the meaning of the text (look for keywords); learn/repeat how complex sentences are constructed; in the third task, the questions after the text are arranged in the order in which the answers to them are given in the text. That is, the answer to the first question will be at the beginning of the text, the second question - after the answer to the first, etc.

Vocabulary & Grammar

70% of tasks (No. 19-31) are aimed at knowledge of word formation and the school curriculum on English grammar. In the last seven (No. 32-38) exercises, you need to make a choice in favor of one of the four proposed answers, taking into account the context and the desired grammatical form. You are given 40 minutes to do everything.

  • First, a text with 7 missing words is given. To the right of it there are words that require grammatical transformation (putting a verb in the right tense, for example) and insertion. Max. number of points: 7.
  • In the second task there is a text with 6 gaps. Again, you will need to grammatically transform (form a single-root word that matches the text in meaning) and insert the words into the text. Max. number of points: 6.
  • Again, a text with 7 gaps, you need to choose 1 correct option out of 4 proposed. Max. number of points: 7.
Adviсe: allocate no more than 12 minutes for all tasks (except for the second - there are 15); read the context; review: tenses and forms of verbs, voices (active and passive), comparative and superlative adjectives, ordinal numbers, formation of suffixes and prefixes in English.

Written part (Writing)

In the fourth block there are only 2 tasks (but what kind!), for which you are given 80 minutes (for them you need to have time to write and check your work).

  • First, an informal letter to a friend (about 100-140 words). The text of a short letter from this same “friend” is given, after which there are questions. You need to read the text with questions and write an answer (that is, answer your friend’s questions and ask your own). Max. number of points: 6.
  • Secondly, an essay on a given topic (about 200-250 words). In this section, a statement is given (usually quite controversial), and the student writes an essay on this topic, expressing his opinion, demonstrating the studied vocabulary, knowledge of grammatical rules, the structure of various written works, and, finally, the ability to describe and argue his point of view in writing . We need to do it in 80 minutes. Max. number of points: 14.
Adviсe: do not write the entire essay on a draft, it is better to jot down your thoughts and ideas on it; do not forget about a high-quality introduction (description of the relevance of the problem) and conclusion; do not write addresses (even fictitious ones); look at examples of friendly letters in English on the Internet; don’t forget to thank your friend for the letter (at the beginning); ask questions in a letter; love paragraphs (but not 1 sentence); use " I believe...», « I assume...», « In my opinion..."; conversational style is also acceptable (“ Guess what?», « What's up?», « Howdy!», « See ya!», « Later!"); write in a neutral style (task 2); justify and confirm your point of view by describing different ones; draw conclusions and summarize.

Speaking

The oral part of the Unified State Examination in English is not mandatory, but speaking is necessary to get the highest possible score. This block is the shortest and takes only 15 minutes. It consists of four tasks for which you can get a total of 20 points: reading an English text aloud, asking questions about an advertisement using keywords; description of the picture/photo; comparative analysis of two proposed photographs, guided by a given plan. The student submits assignments in front of a computer on which the clock is displayed and his answers are recorded. In this case, there is an organizer in the audience who monitors the progress of the exam and at the first doubtful situation has the right to use firearms (jk).

  • In the first task there will be a text of a semi-scientific nature, which needs to be read aloud in the most expressive way. 1.5 minutes will be allotted for this (+1.5 for preparation). Accordingly, the entire task will take no more than 3 minutes. The task is worth 1 point.
  • The second task is an advertisement for which you need to come up with 5 questions based on keywords. Preparation - 1.5 minutes, formulation of each question - 20 seconds. Total - 3 minutes. Here you can earn 5 points.
  • The third task will show 3 pictures/photos. We choose one and describe it according to the proposed plan. The task takes about 3.5 minutes. For successful completion, 7 points are given.
  • And in the fourth task we are again offered pictures. This time there are 2 that need to be compared and their similarities and differences described. You will also need to explain why the chosen topic is close to the graduate. The number of minutes and points is equal to the number of the same in the previous task.
Adviсe: practice pronunciation and read texts on various topics with the correct intonation and expression (watch YouTube for Christ's sake!); observe pauses, stress and intonation; do not forget about the time and try to read clearly, but drag out; learn to ask questions to texts on different topics; know how to write questions correctly; read the tasks carefully and answer all questions; tell us which photo you chose at the beginning of the answer (“ I"ve chosen the photo number..."); Most likely you will have to describe a photo of a “friend”; use speech cliches like: “ the 1st picture depicts ...», « whereas the 2nd shows us ...», « the main difference is that ...», « also, they have the same ...», « in comparison to the first picture, this one is ...».

English language: preparation for the Unified State Exam 2019

To save your nerves, we strongly recommend that you contact us directly and try online Unified State Exam courses in English or our Unified State Exam preparation course in English via Skype. We will help you prepare and not fall on your face.

Online Unified State Exam course in English.

Here you can prepare for the Unified State Exam in English online!

  • A unique methodology from leading teachers with experience in the online English language school EnglishDom.
  • Diverse exercises on vocabulary, grammar and listening comprehension of native speaker speech, divided into situational and thematic blocks.
  • It is possible to practice speaking skills in role play; voice recognition is supported.
  • Convenient and simple interface.

Peculiarities:

  • More suitable for students with a high level of language who have been studying with an English-speaking or Russian-speaking teacher for a long time.
  • Also, it will appeal to students who are 100% confident in their knowledge of English and are familiar with the features of the Unified State Examination in English.
  • The course is aimed at self-study, so it is an excellent solution for reviewing and updating knowledge and exam structure.
  • There is no teacher control; accordingly, responsibility and progress depend entirely on the motivation and interest of the student (watch out!).

Unified State Exam in English in ED Class.

  • Each lesson consists of two main sections: " Class" & « Home" In class you will find cool warm-ups ( Warm up) to recharge yourself with positive emotions for the whole lesson. Next, it is proposed to familiarize yourself with the new vocabulary ( Vocabulary), each word is given a transcription and a picture, which makes it easy to build an associative series.
  • Grammar section ( Get to know) is presented in convenient tables, where exactly the information that you should pay attention to is presented in clear and accessible language. And its use in practice will be demonstrated by examples with voice acting below, as well as subsequent exercises to consolidate the rules in practice ( Grammar practice).
  • To have a lot of fun and be ready to cope with listening in the exam, we suggest plunging into the English-speaking world and watching entertaining videos ( Life stories). This is not only funny, but also useful, because... The task necessarily contains previously studied vocabulary.
  • And for dessert, sweet tasks for speaking in the form of dialogue ( Role play), questions ( Discussion) and finally an exciting game ( Game).

Well, are you intrigued? But that's not all! To ensure that all the material remains in active memory and does not get lost anywhere, be sure to go through the block “ Home" at a convenient time for you. Repetition is the mother of learning!

Peculiarities:

  • Suitable for students of any level who are going to take the Unified State Exam in English.

Materials for preparing for the Unified State Exam 2019 in English

To do it perfectly, you will have to spend a lot of time on preparation. Keep in mind! It is necessary to plan and devote time to preparing each section. Listening, for example. Not every school teacher devotes enough time in his lessons to teaching listening comprehension of foreign speech. Audio books, songs by your favorite artists, films or television series in English will come to the rescue. Watch at least a couple of episodes of your favorite TV series or movie, and listen to an audiobook on the way to school.

The following resources may help you:

  • The Macmillan Exam Skills for Russia textbook series includes books on preparation for each part of the Unified State Exam. With authentic texts and exercises, this series is one of the best for exam preparation. However, we draw your attention to the fact that the books are quite complex, so it is recommended that students with a level of at least Intermediate study them.
  • A good selection of Unified State Exam textbooks for past years is on this site. You can also read books online. For example, there is one tempting one that promises to prepare you in a month. Basically, the resource presents training versions of exam papers that can be used as practical material for preparing for the Unified State Exam. Each option is equipped with keys and texts for listening.
  • quizlet.com and barabook.ru are convenient online services for learning new words. Create your own sets of cards with new words and study them using applications of the same name or directly on the website. Easy!
  • podcastsinenglish.com, britishcouncil.org, bbc.co.uk - sites with educational podcasts in English. Of course, there are no standard tasks for the Unified State Exam, but you can practice your listening comprehension skills in an interesting way and take a little break from the same type of exam tasks.
  • fipi.ru is the official website of the Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements, which presents a large bank of standard tasks for the Unified State Exam. On the specified page, click on the inscription “English” and in the tab that opens on the left, select the skill that you want to train. There are no answers on the site, so to ensure that your efforts are not wasted, we advise you to study with a teacher and submit completed assignments to him for checking.
  • “Typical exam options for the Unified State Examination, edited by Verbitskaya” - the book exists in various variations, including standard Unified State Examination tasks with answers. Using the book, you can check how well a graduate is prepared to take the exam.

When preparing and using the above materials, pay attention to essay writing. Try to write at least 10 mini-essays on different topics before the exam. Inspiration can come to you after watching a good movie, for example. Download previous years' tickets and sharpen your writing skills. Each new essay will help you better formulate your thoughts and present arguments in favor of your point of view.

By the way! If you want to learn how to correctly write an essay in English for the Unified State Exam 2019, then read!

Let's look at the changes that the Unified State Exam has undergone compared to last year.

Typical mistakes when preparing for the Unified State Exam

The collection of the main typical mistakes when preparing for the Unified State Exam in English, first of all, includes the inability to correctly allocate preparation time. The student knows what he has problems with. More time should be devoted to this. Another common problem is the inability to speak. You can practice this skill by constantly replaying small dialogues with everyday situations in your head, or by describing objects, people and buildings that you see on your way (to perfection) to school, a cinema or a supermarket.

In addition, there are the following mistakes when preparing for the English exam:

  • Outdated tutorials or resources on the network can also cause significant harm during preparation. Graduates are offered many materials that promise the best preparation. But not everyone copes with this task. It is better to use those teaching aids that are recommended by professionals. It is definitely recommended to visit the FIPI website, where the latest data is always published.
  • Inconsistent preparation. The student either does not sit down at textbooks at all, or sits at them without rest. You need to make a plan over time and strictly follow it. You need to start preparing for exams in the fall of the 11th grade, or even better, in the 10th grade. The amount of knowledge is large, it takes a lot of time.
  • Ignoring incomprehensible material. When preparing for an exam, you should start repeating what is not clear. To fully understand the material, read the topic in the textbook, contact a tutor or your teacher, sign up for courses and learn what you don’t understand, do not try to calm yourself down. It will be much easier with the material that you master: a few days before the exam, you will be able to quickly remember and go over all previously weak areas.
  • Not comprehensive training. During lessons, teachers themselves most often pay attention to reading and grammar, while forgetting about correct pronunciation and comprehension. Alas, such a sad trend can still be seen in many schools. It is worth remembering that during the exam, all components of the program will be presented in the tasks. And it is extremely important to pay attention to each one.
  • Cramming. The difficulty of the exam is that it is designed for understanding the material; some tasks are designed for impromptu answers. Typically, such tests allow you to get the most points and compensate for lost ones. Having memorized all the material, you will not be able to explain similar examples that will be presented in the test. In addition, you will not have enough time to memorize the entire volume of material.
  • Passing test texts only. Yes, they are definitely needed, but don’t expect that if you get the maximum score on these, then the main exam is in your pocket. Assignments are completed in different ways, tests are mixed, and become, in their own way, individual.
  • Wrong psychological attitude may interfere with passing the exam. The ability to concentrate and relax at the right moment will help you get in the right mood. Positive thoughts also play a role. They help you complete tasks. Believe in yourself, but don't get carried away - too much arrogance can turn out to be a treacherous insidious enemy. Everything should be in moderation.

Conclusion

Is it difficult to pass the Unified State Exam in English? No! Preparing for the Unified State Exam in English is really important because... An exam is a kind of challenge that must be approached with all responsibility. The higher the Unified State Exam score, the more freedom you have when choosing a worthy educational institution, which will subsequently help you make your dream come true and become an outstanding specialist in a field of interest. Don't miss the opportunity - sign up for an introductory English lesson via Skype.

Don’t be afraid of difficulties, come to us and we will help you pass the Unified State Exam with the highest score! You can do that!

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Find out the main things about the English Unified State Exam 2016 and start preparing today. Nuances, tips, useful links - start your path to successfully passing the exam by reading our article. Don't be afraid of the Unified State Exam - pass it with 100 marks!

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What is the Unified State Exam: numbers, facts

The Unified State Exam (USE) is a general state certification of eleventh grade graduates, the results of which are counted for admission to a secondary specialized educational institution (secondary educational institution) or a university (higher educational institution).

Currently, the Unified State Examination is conducted in 14 subjects, of which 4 are foreign languages ​​(English, German, French and Spanish). To receive a certificate, a graduate must pass 2 mandatory exams: Russian language and mathematics. Additionally, each university independently determines which exams applicants for a particular specialty are required to take. From 2020, the Unified State Examination in English is also planned to be made mandatory.

In 2016, the trial Unified State Exam in English is planned to be held in early April: the oral part - on the 8th and the written part - on the 9th (these results are not counted). The main exam will begin on June 10.If, for a valid reason confirmed by the facts, the graduate is unable to take part in the certification, he has the opportunity to take the exam later, during the reserve period.

If you disagree with the exam results, you can file an appeal - your answers will be rechecked.

After successfully passing the Unified State Exam, the participant is issued a corresponding certificate valid for the current year and 4 subsequent years. It must also be presented at school to receive a certificate of secondary education.

When entering a university, the applicant submits an application indicating his Unified State Exam scores; the selection committee checks their accuracy. You can simultaneously submit documents to no more than 5 universities in 3 areas.

At the end of 2015, to pass the Unified State Exam in English, it was enough to score 22 points. However, to enter the language departments of prestigious universities in the country, it was necessary to obtain 60-70 points in this type of exam (according to the admissions committees of Moscow State University, Moscow State Linguistic University, etc.); University passing scores are updated annually.

  • In Moscow Independent Diagnostics Center opened, where you can take the trial Unified State Exam and Unified State Exam at any time (not only for schoolchildren, but also for parents), and you can take it as many times as you want.

What to take with you to the Unified State Exam and how to behave during the exam

Be sure to take your passport and a black gel (capillary) pen with you.

The list of prohibited items is much more extensive: this includes any storage media (phone, tablet, etc.), any video and audio equipment, books, notes and “cheat sheets,” as well as proofreaders and pencils.

During the exam you cannot stand up or talk - naturally, with the exception of the oral part “Speaking”. If you need to leave the room temporarily, you will do so accompanied by one of the examiners. Participants are under video surveillance and any violations may be punished by removal from the exam (and the issue of retaking will be decided by the State Commission).

Structure of the Unified State Exam in English

The test consists of four compulsory written parts, for which the test taker receives a maximum of 80 points: Listening, Reading, Grammar and Vocabulary and Writing.

The fifth, optional speaking part, was introduced very recently and is called “Speaking”: it can earn you a maximum of 20 points. Taking “Speaking” is a must, even if you don’t intend to attend a language university: this is a fairly easy way to score an additional 10-15 points (which is not so little).

Listening

9 tasks, 30 minutes

Listening is the perception of speech by ear. After listening to several fragments in English, you should understand what was said in them and answer several questions in writing about each fragment. Fragments are played twice, the time to respond is fixed. The topics of monologues and dialogues that will be offered for listening include weather forecasts, announcements, television and radio programs, interviews, reports.

An error typical for this part of the exam: takers choose the answer option that contains the words most often heard in the audio fragment. But you are unlikely to be able to answer questions correctly without understanding the essence of what is happening. To better understand the meaning of the conversation, pay attention to the intonation of the speakers and the sounds that you hear in the audio clip (sea noise, car horns, music, etc.). It is very important to be able to recognize subtext and sarcasm in the speaker’s speech, which can radically change the meaning of the statement.

Preparation

Only regular listening to English speech and learning unfamiliar words will help.

At the first stage, reading and listening to books voiced by native English speakers will be very useful. At the same time, be sure to choose books adapted to your actual level: pre-intermediate, intermediate, etc.

Watching English-language films “in three touches” is very effective: without subtitles, with English subtitles (with new words written out) and with double subtitles (in Russian and English). It is advisable to limit viewing sessions to 5-15 minutes (then the level of perception decreases). To prevent your vocabulary from developing one-sidedly, try to watch diverse films: on everyday topics, from the lives of lawyers, doctors, scientists. And preferably, these should be TV series: by watching several seasons, one episode a day, you will be able to hone the relevant vocabulary to perfection, after which you can move on to a TV series on a different topic.

A little later, it makes sense to move on to listening to radio news: without visuals and subtitles, information is more difficult to perceive, especially considering the fast pace of reporters’ speech. We recommend listening to BBC radio programs, because the videos for listening to the Unified State Examination will be read in British pronunciation.

Reading

9 tasks, 30 minutes


This task tests your ability to read and understand unfamiliar text without a dictionary: you should be familiar with about 97% of the words. Again, read the assignment carefully; a typical mistake in this part is misunderstanding the question asked.

Preparation

Use all available means to expand your vocabulary, tirelessly repeat learned words and try to use them in context - this way they are better remembered. According to the 2016 codifier, popular science publications and excerpts from works of fiction will be offered for reading. Read modern online newspapers and magazines: The Guardian, The New York Times, BBC, Listverse, etc. It will be very useful to study the Unified State Exam workbook in English reading, analyzing the mistakes you make.

Grammar and vocabulary

20 tasks, 40 minutes

In fact, this is almost the easiest section of the exam in terms of format. The first half of the section consists of reading small fragments of text and substituting missing words. To substitute, the proposed word must be grammatically changed (or left in its original form, if the rules require it) or a suitable single-root word must be selected, for example, absolute - absolutely, win - won, Russia - Russian.

The second half involves filling in the gaps in the text with the suggested words - there is no need to modify the word, you just need to choose one of four options. As with all multiple choice tests, if you don't know the answer, choose one at random - there is a chance it will be correct.

Preparation

If you know English well, this section will not be difficult for you. No special preparation is required for the format of this task - just review English grammar (and keep working on your vocabulary).

Letter

2 tasks, 80 minutes

Since the answers from the exam forms are scanned by computer, write your answer neatly, clearly and legibly, with paragraphing and structuring.

Task No. 1: “Letter to a friend”

Volume: 100-140 words

Imagine that you receive a letter from an English-speaking friend and are writing a response. You must understand the questions asked in the text and answer them in your “letter”.

Typical mistakes:

  • Ignorance of the rules for formatting personal letters (be sure to repeat them!)
  • misunderstanding of the essence of the questions asked
  • lack of answer to one of their questions
  • inability to correctly formulate one’s own questions according to the specified plan
  • not using linking words


Assignment #2: Essay

Volume: 200-250 words

You are asked to express your opinion in writing about a certain statement according to a certain plan. And again, you need to read the task very carefully and under no circumstances deviate from the proposed plan.

The essay should be in a neutral style (avoid colloquial expressions), coherent, divided into paragraphs in accordance with the logic of the narrative.

If 30% or more of your answer coincides with the source (that is, in your answer you use words from the “problem conditions”), the task is not counted.

How to count the number of words in an essay

If the above letter contains less than 90 words, and the essay contains less than 180, they will not be counted (you will receive 0 points). If they are too long, the examiner will count only 154 words in the first case and 275 in the second; everything else will not be checked: you may lose a parting phrase or signature (in a letter) or conclusion (in an essay).

What are the rules for counting words? All words of the essay are taken into account; in the case of a letter, everything from the address to the signature. Counted as one word:

  • all numerals in digital form (12, 2015, 10,000)
  • all short forms and abbreviations (I’m, don’t, can’t, USA)
  • complex words (well-known, good-looking, sixty-four)

In numerals expressed in several words, all words are counted (two thousand and fifteen - 4 words).

Preparation

The advice is simple - write an essay. Many, on different topics. Count the words, control the coherence of the text, do not forget to highlight paragraphs (one thought - one paragraph). Well, your work should be checked by an English teacher who is familiar with the requirements for the assignment.

Speaking

4 tasks, 15 minutes

During this part of the exam, an audio recording of your answer is made, which is sent for processing (checking) at the end of the exam. In other words, the role of the examiner is performed by the computer (but one of the exam organizers is always present in the audience). You see all tasks on the monitor - a time counter is also displayed there.

At the end of the exam, all answers are submitted for verification: each exam entry is checked by two trained specialists according to the same assessment criteria.

Task No. 1

In the first task, you will be asked to read a popular science text in English in one and a half minutes - first “to yourself”, and then out loud. They also give you one and a half minutes to prepare. You need to read the passage correctly, with natural intonation, without unnecessary pauses.

Task No. 2

As a second task, you are asked to read the text of the advertisement and ask 5 questions to it - in accordance with the proposed plan. Preparation time is 1.5 minutes, each question should be no longer than 20 seconds (watch the timer).

Task No. 3

Third task: choose and describe one of the three proposed photographs. Time to prepare - 1.5 minutes, time to answer - 2 minutes. The story must be built on the points of the proposed plan. The narrative must be logically coherent and contain introductory and concluding phrases.

  • Let us recall that coherence is given to the text by expressions such as firstly, secondly, thirdly (firstly, secondly, thirdly), consequently (hence), finally (finally). The topic of introductory words and linking words needs to be worked out thoroughly.

Task No. 4

In the fourth task you are asked to compare two images. Here it is also extremely important to carefully read the text of the task and cover the proposed plan in the story: for example, find similarities between the pictures and point out the differences. A typical mistake is describing each picture separately, when what is needed is a comparison, comparison of two images.

You have 1.5 minutes to prepare - watch the timer to make sure you start on time and don't exceed the story limit of 2 minutes. Here, introductory and concluding phrases and adherence to the coherence of the presentation are also necessary.

Typical “traps” of parts 3 and 4 of the exam are questions like “where and when” (where and when), “who/why” (who/why), etc. When answering the first question of the pair, you can completely forget about the second - and lose points.

  • Advice: If you notice that you have made a mistake, do not be alarmed. Some errors are acceptable and do not affect the score, the main thing is not to get confused or become completely silent.

The total time for this part of the exam is 15 minutes.

Preparation

Speech is a skill, and the ability to speak English must be developed. Listen to English speech and repeat what you hear. Take every opportunity to communicate in English: visit speaking clubs, speak English with friends. It is extremely important that the interlocutor not only listens to you, but points out mistakes and corrects you, therefore, to prepare for this type of exam, it is very advisable to find a qualified tutor.

10 common misconceptions when preparing for the Unified State Exam in English

  1. There is no point in studying the exam format: a person who is fluent in English will easily pass the exam with the highest score
  2. If your knowledge is initially below the Upper-Intermediate level (“above average”), you have no chance of passing the exam
  3. If you do not speak spoken English, it is impossible to pass the Unified State Exam, since “Speaking” was introduced, and without it you will not get the required points
  4. You can prepare for the Unified State Exam in English in just six months (or even faster)
  5. After reading tips, secrets and “life hacks” for passing the Unified State Exam, you will be ready for the exam
  6. To successfully pass, it is enough to listen to lectures and video lessons from teachers.
  7. The best way to prepare is to take demos of the test multiple times and check your answers.
  8. If the trial exam is passed perfectly, classes can be stopped.
  9. During the exam you can make a “call to a friend” or use a cheat sheet
  10. Answers will be available for purchase before the exam.

And remember: it is impossible to prepare for the Unified State Exam “the night before the exam”; start at least six months before the exam (or better yet, 1-2 years before the exam).
The English Unified State Exam 2016 is scheduled for June, so you need to start preparing for it immediately. High points to you!

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Since 2003, the unified state exam was conducted as an experiment, and since 2009 it has become a unified form of state certification of applicants. Nowadays, in order to enter a university, you increasingly need to take Unified State Exam in English.

As for preparing for the Unified State Exam in English, you should know that you need to prepare for it in advance, and the sooner the better. And even if you have a good level of English, you still need good preparation, and this takes time, at least a year.

To pass the Unified State Exam well you need:

  • become familiar with the exam format;
  • have a good level of English;
  • master reading and listening strategies. An excellent understanding of the main content is assumed.
  • familiarize yourself with the assessment criteria for assignments.

If you want to prepare well for the Unified State Exam, you need to study with a professional teacher. He must know the format of this exam. Also choose a teacher who has already worked with children in this area. Do not think that you have enough lessons at school to successfully pass the Unified State Exam. Remember that the most important thing is quality, not quantity, so you need to prepare directly for the Unified State Exam, and don't study everything.

Unified State Exam 2010. Exam structure.

The Unified State Exam includes 4 sections, which consist of 46 tasks.

  • Section 1 - listening. This section consists of 15 tasks. 1 task - to establish correspondence and 14 tasks in which you need to choose the correct answer options. The time given is 30 minutes.
  • Section 2 - reading. It consists of 9 tasks, with 2 tasks on establishing correspondence, and 7 tasks on choosing the correct answer. Time to complete - 30 minutes.
  • Section 3 - vocabulary and grammar. Includes 20 tasks. 13 - with a short answer, 7 tasks - to choose the correct answer. Time - 40 minutes.
  • Section 4 - written part. Includes two tasks. The first is to write an essay with a reasoning and the second is to write a friendly letter. You have 60 minutes to complete.

Total allowance for the exam 160 minutes.

Unified State Exam results for previous years

The most difficult section to complete is “Vocabulary and Grammar”. In general, the work has the lowest percentage of completion in lexical tasks. It is A22-A28. Practice has shown that it is difficult for graduates to use modified verb forms and tense agreement.

And in 2009 they removed it from the Unified State Examination "Burning". Probably, this situation arose as a result of the fact that many who took the Unified State Exam abandoned this section immediately after they began to answer it.

And now some advice regarding all sections of the Unified State Exam.

Listening

  • listen carefully! After all, such a trick is often used when they first say one answer and then correct it differently;
  • you need to read the assignment carefully;
  • look at the endings of what you wrote and try to find possible minor errors;
  • if you didn’t hear something, don’t panic, you will have the opportunity to listen again;
  • if you don’t know how to answer a question, answer at least something, but the main thing is to answer;
  • if they speak too quickly, don’t get upset, try to relax and then it will be easier for you to perceive the information.

Reading

  • if you are not familiar with the topic discussed in the text, do not worry, because in order to find the answers in the text, you do not need special knowledge;
  • if you are given tasks in which you need to insert words or phrases instead of gaps, read the sentence before and after the gaps, try to guess what exactly is missing;
  • don’t get hung up on one question, you can always return to it, but in the meantime, move on to others;
  • you always need to read the entire text to understand the meaning;
  • if you don't know the answer to a question, try to guess it;
  • When preparing for the Unified State Exam, read as many texts of different styles as possible.

Written assignment

  • it is worth writing about the same thing only in different words;
  • don't go off topic;
  • do not use the same vocabulary as in the task. Choose synonyms for words;
  • keep track of time;
  • do not write more than necessary, because this may indicate that you have written a lot of unnecessary things;
  • Remember that you need to take the time to re-read what you have written and, if necessary, correct any errors you find.

Vocabulary and grammar

  • if you need to insert a word, try to determine in what number and form it should be;
  • if you don’t know the correct answer, don’t leave any blanks anyway, look for the answer by contradiction;
  • check your spelling.

Speaking

This section was not included in the Unified State Exam 2010, but it is still worth knowing the tips for this part.

  • if you are unclear about a task, ask the examiner about what is unclear;
  • use as many words as possible, show your vocabulary;
  • you must understand that you are required to express your personal opinion and not discuss the topic with professionalism;
  • Perhaps you will forget a word, in this case there is no need to get lost, you can replace it with another word.;
  • You should be aware that this section is not intended for you to demonstrate that you can construct sentences correctly. You need to demonstrate communication skills.