La tarea de dictado — The Dictation Task
📝 La tarea de dictado — The Dictation Task
| Playback | Your strategy | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|
| First playback | Listen for meaning — do NOT write yet | Understand the topic, tense, key nouns |
| Second playback | Write as much as you can | Spell carefully; catch accents and special characters |
| Third playback | Check and complete gaps | Verify word endings, accents, h-, ñ, b/v choices |
⭐ The golden rule
Never leave a word blank. A word that is half-right (correct root, wrong accent) loses fewer marks than a blank. If you are unsure, write your best attempt — you may still score.
Foundation dictation: 35 words — each incorrect word = −1 mark, minimum score = 0.
Five patterns account for the majority of dictation errors. Learn to recognise each one by ear, then write the correct form without hesitation.
Earn the mark scheme marks
⚠️ Errores comunes de dictado — Common Dictation Errors
These three error types appear every year. Each one costs exactly one mark — and each one is avoidable with the right habit.
❌ Error 1: Dropping the silent h
Written: ora → ✅ hora
Why it costs marks: The h is completely silent in speech — so students assume it is not there. It is always there. Every word that begins with h in your vocabulary list must be memorised with its h. The most common offenders: hora, hablar, haber, hambre, hay, hermano, hermana, hijo, hija, hacer. Drill this list until the h is automatic.
❌ Error 2: Missing the preterite accent
Written: canto for "he sang" → ✅ cantó
Why it costs marks: Canto (no accent) = I sing (present tense). Cantó (accent on ó) = he/she sang (preterite). The examiner marks these as different words. When you hear a past-tense context, that final stressed vowel needs its accent — do not forget it on the second or third playback.
❌ Error 3: Writing n instead of ñ
Written: ano → ✅ año
Why it costs marks: ñ is a separate letter with its own distinct sound (/nj/ as in "canyon"). Omitting the tilde creates a different — and in this case, very embarrassing — word. Common ñ words to memorise: año, español, señor, señora, mañana, montaña, niño, niña, pequeño.
Now try it yourself
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