Writing from 2028
Practise the revised 40-mark paper and use its task-completion and language criteria accurately.
Exam scope and assessment notes
All German texts, listening scripts, prompts, model responses, examples and exercises here are original StudyForA practice, not Cambridge assessment material. The map covers the five broad topic areas, the published grammar categories and the paper formats for both syllabus cycles; Cambridge describes its topic sub-lists as examples rather than an exhaustive vocabulary boundary. The separate 2028 vocabulary spreadsheet is linked but has not been reconciled word by word. German-language specialist review, comprehensive vocabulary auditing and full timed paper simulations remain outstanding. Browser speech synthesis is not Cambridge audio and cannot guarantee accent or pronunciation. Speaking checklists and writing review are practice aids, not an examiner mark or Cambridge moderation. This is not a complete 130-hour course. Confirm exam year, series, zone and entry with your school and Cambridge. Use the paper lesson that matches your examination year; speaking and writing practice does not award official marks.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
How are 2028 Q2's 10 marks divided?
What you will learn
- Complete short form entries with relevant German facts.
- Write a directed response of about 80–90 words and separate task completion from language quality.
- Develop an extended email, letter, article or blog of about 130–140 words.
- Use the revised 5/10/25 allocations and 5/5 and 9/9/7 criteria for self-review.
Use the revised question structure
From 2028, Paper 4 is one hour and 40 marks: Q1 form (5), Q2 directed writing about 80–90 words (10), and Q3 an extended email/letter or article/blog about 130–140 words (25).
Q2 divides its marks equally between task completion (5) and range/accuracy (5). Q3 allocates 9 for task completion, 9 for range and 7 for accuracy. These are published criteria, not an automatic grade generated by StudyForA.
Make the evidence visible
Before writing, mark each prompt point. After drafting, quote or underline the phrase that answers it. Then review range (connectors, time frames, varied structures) separately from accuracy (word order, endings, tense, spelling).
If using a word counter, treat the syllabus range as guidance and follow the actual question. A longer response does not compensate for a missing requested detail.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
Which extended-writing length is the published guidance for Q3?
Worked example
A 2028 Q2 prompt asks for a favourite school activity and why you enjoy it. A response gives the activity and a relevant reason but uses very limited structures and has several agreement errors. How should you review it?
Show the worked solution
- Check task completion separately from language.
- The activity and reason answer both requested points.
- Name one specific range or accuracy improvement without inventing a score.
Answer Task completion appears covered. Next, improve range with a connector or time detail and correct the agreement errors. The syllabus assigns 5 marks to completion and 5 to range/accuracy, but this review does not award a Cambridge mark.
From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Review a response to a 2028 Q2 prompt asking for an activity and reason. Make one note for completion and one for range/accuracy.
Give me a hint
Use the two official criteria as separate headings.
Compare my reasoning
- Check that the activity is named.
- Check that a reason is stated.
- Give one language improvement.
Example: «Completion: activity and reason are present. Range/accuracy: add a time phrase and check adjective agreement.» The two criteria are five marks each in the exam; this formative note does not award marks.
Look for these in your work
- Checks both prompt points
- Separates the criteria
- Gives a specific language next step
Plan a 130–140-word German article about a local event: what happened, your view, one challenge and a suggestion for next year.
Give me a hint
Use 9/9/7 to organise feedback, not to predict a score.
Compare my reasoning
- List evidence for every prompt point.
- Plan connected language and varied structures.
- Review range and accuracy separately.
A strong plan includes the event, an explained view, a challenge and a practical suggestion. For the 2028 Q3, the published criteria are 9 task completion, 9 range and 7 accuracy. A self-review cannot award those marks.
Look for these in your work
- Covers all requested elements
- Plans connected language
- Uses the criteria accurately
Compare two drafts: one has fluent language but misses a prompt point; the other covers every point but has frequent case errors. Set a different revision priority for each.
Give me a hint
Separate task completion from range and accuracy.
Compare my reasoning
- Identify the missing point in the first draft.
- Name one case-error pattern in the second.
- Prioritise the revision without assigning a grade.
First add the missing task point, then polish. In the second, retain complete content and correct the case pattern by checking each article/preposition. These priorities reflect separate criteria and are not official marks.
Look for these in your work
- Repairs missing completion first
- Targets case accuracy
- Avoids claiming an examiner mark
Common mistakes
- Applying the earlier 5/12/28 mark split
- Reviewing grammar while overlooking an omitted bullet
- Presenting the self-check as an official grade
What can you explain now?
How are 2028 Q3's 25 marks divided?
Compare with the explanation
9 task completion, 9 range and 7 accuracy
That is the revised published allocation.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
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Make it stick
Before leaving writing from 2028, explain one idea from memory, answer the checkpoint and name one point to practise again.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.