Foundation Dictation — Getting All 8 Marks
🎯 Foundation Dictation — Getting All 8 Marks
The AQA Foundation dictation (Paper 1, Listening, Section B) is a short passage — roughly 4–5 sentences and around 30–35 words — using common vocabulary from the AQA 8662 word list, mostly present and perfect tense. You hear it three times.
Earn the mark scheme marks
💡 Exam Tips & Common Errors
- On the 3rd play: fill any remaining gaps FIRST, then check Grid B features — don't waste time re-reading what you already know is correct.
- For perfect tense: write the helper verb when you hear it, leave a space, then add the past participle when it comes at the end.
- Remember: profession nouns ending in -in are feminine (Ärztin, Lehrerin, Köchin) — always capital A/L/K.
- The two-dot system for umlauts: add ä, ö, or ü whenever you hear the rounded vowel sound.
❌ Common error: leaving a blank for a word you didn't catch.
✓ Correct: writing your best phonetic attempt using German spelling rules.
Why it costs marks: a blank scores zero on both Grid A and Grid B. A sensible phonetic attempt can still earn the Grid A content mark even if the spelling is imperfect. Always write something.
❌ Common error: treating Grid A and Grid B as linked — thinking a spelling error loses you the content mark too.
✓ Correct: Grid A and Grid B are independent. You can earn the Grid A content mark even if your Grid B spelling is imperfect.
Why it matters: students who don't know this abandon a word when they can't spell it perfectly, throwing away a free Grid A mark.