Listening
Make sure that you are really familiar (which I am sure you are) with GSMIRTH categories and that you have read the tips in the handbook for answering questions. You need to be strategic, writing down everything as you hear it. Keep answers simple, detailed and technical, making sure that you describe sequences of events (e.g. first the cellos have a tonic pedal then the horns enter playing a rising arpeggo).
There are plenty of spare listening tests on Moodle – make sure you do them and come to revision sessions to keep your skills fresh
Applied
You need to make 10 points to get full marks, bearing in mind the following:
- Stick to core points (discussed in the revision notes) not made up peripheral ones
- All your points should be about bar-numbered features of the score
- Briefly relate each point back to the question
- Use technical language correctly (e.g. chromatic/dissonant) and succinctly
- Write a short introduction explaining the question and setting out the terms of your answer (e.g. Expressionist composers wanted to break free of the conventions of musical language in order to convey emotions more directly and intensely)