Most candidates applying to study Modern Languages at Oxford or Cambridge will have to sit a written paper as part of the admissions process, The Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT) at Oxford and the Modern and Medieval Languages Admissions Assessment at Cambridge. This blog describes the latter.
There are big differences between the two tests, from what they are testing to when they are sat.
When do I take the Cambridge MML written test?
You don’t need to register in advance for the Cambridge MML written test, as you take it if you are invited to interview. The college to which you apply will make arrangements for you to do this. Interviews for Cambridge typically take place in the first half of December.
What do I have to write for the Cambridge MML written test?
The test is an hour long and based on your study of a given passage in English. There are two tasks split into sections, Section A and Section B. Your answer to Section A should be written in a foreign language (typically, one studied to A-Level) and Section B should be written in English. If you are applying to Cambridge to study two languages studied to A-Level, you can choose to respond in either one.
Twice as many marks are available for Section A, the response written in a foreign language. Cambridge therefore recommends that candidates spend 40 minutes on this task, compared to 20 minutes on the response written in English.
The test demands good comprehension, first and foremost. For Section A, you are required to write at the highest level possible in your foreign language. This means communicating clearly and accurately, using the very best of your vocabulary, and showing off your knowledge of syntax and grammar. Your answer should comprise a well-structured and effective summary of the ideas found in the passage. For Section B, the response written in English, you are marked on your analytical and rhetorical skills.
Do I need to take the MML written test if I am applying for History and Modern Languages?
You will need to sit the MML written test if you are applying for History and Modern Languages. There may also be an entrance exam for History, depending on the college to which you apply. Make sure you check with the college well in advance (on their website, or you could give them a call). The exact form of your MML written test depends on whether you are applying to study languages post A-level or from scratch, i.e. ab initio. There are sample papers available for both scenarios on the Cambridge website.
Preparation tips for the Cambridge MML written test
The MML written assessment tests your comprehension in English and your written ability in both English and one of the languages you wish to study at Cambridge.
Do:
- Revise grammar and vocabulary. You want your writing in the target language to be as accurate and impressive as possible. If you can show off some more complex structures, do!
- Read widely in English and your chosen languages for study. The passage which you will be asked to read and respond to may be on any topic - one of the given past papers is on cyborgs! The more widely you have read, the more likely you are to have the vocabulary needed to discuss the ideas the author is talking about. Newspapers in the target language are a good place to start, but don’t stick to the Current Affairs homepage – look at the Science, Technology and Culture parts, too. Read more of our languages super curricular recommendations.
- Be succinct and specific. This applies for both parts of the test. You are asked to write about 250 words in the target language, which is not much. Try to use specific vocabulary so that you can convey as much of the author’s ideas as possible in the limited space. While there is no suggested word count for the response in English, you will only have about 20 minutes to write. Get to the heart of the matter as quickly as possible so that your own ideas are the star of the show.
- Complete past papers for practice. Doing this should give you an idea of how to best approach the tasks in the time limit. Cambridge don’t make many past papers available on their website, but you can create your own papers following the test format. Find pieces of English writing that you could use for the written passage. You could look in newspaper editorials, journals, or work by essayists. When you have a source, you can practise summarising ideas you find from English into your target language.
Don’t:
- Rush when reading the passage you are given. You need to understand the text in depth first. If you don’t manage this, it will be tricky to come up with your own relevant and persuasive ideas about the excerpt.
- Just translate the passage. The response in the target language should show that you can cogently and coherently summarise complex ideas. Think about what the author’s assumptions and overarching conclusions might be and use these to structure your response.
Oxbridge Modern Languages Tuition
Keystone Tutors are able to provide subject specific support for those preparing for university applications including Languages at Oxbridge. Do get in touch if you would like further assistance with your personal statement or any other aspects of your university application, including admissions tests, interview preparation or super curricular learning recommendations.