How to use the exam system for your English reading exam

For Open Awards we use an online system called XAMS. This allows you to type your answers and view a source at the same time.

You can find a link to the Open Awards mock for level 2 English reading here.

You can find a link to the Open Awards mock for level 1 English reading here.

1. You will see these instructions when you first open the exam. They tell you how long you have and how many marks the exam is worth, as well as some other information. The English reading exam is a 60 minute exam worth 30 marks.

You will see these instructions when you first open the exam. They tell you how long you have and how many marks the exam is worth, as well as some other information. The English reading exam is a 60 minute exam worth 30 marks.

2. You can change the colours of the page if this is something you require. Click default.

You can change the colours of the page if this is something you require. Click default.

3. You can then choose the colour contrast you would like.

You can then choose the colour contrast you would like.

4. For example, this is 'White on Black'

For example, this is 'White on Black'

5. To start the exam, click start in the top right corner.

To start the exam, click start in the top right corner.

6. This is the layout out of the exam, you have the question and answer box on the left hand side, and the text on the right hand side. The marks for the question is displayed underneath the question. You can zoom in and out of the text using the + and - buttons that are highlighted.

This is the layout out of the exam, you have the question and answer box on the left hand side, and the text on the right hand side. The marks for the question is displayed underneath the question.You can zoom in and out of the text using the + and - buttons that are highlighted.

7. Use the bar on the right hand side to scroll the text.

Use the bar on the right hand side to scroll the text.

8. Using the text on the right, answer question and type your answer in the box. You can move onto the next question by clicking the arrow.

Using the text on the right, answer question and type your answer in the box. You can move onto the next question by clicking the arrow.

9. You can also move between questions by clicking the three lines in the top right.

You can also move between questions by clicking the three lines in the top right.

10. From here, you can navigate through the questions and see how many marks each question is worth. Questions that have been answered are shown in green and ones that are blank are grey. You can go back to a question at any time during the exam.

From here, you can navigate through the questions and see how many marks each question is worth. Questions that have been answered are shown in green and ones that are blank are grey. You can go back to a question at any time during the exam.

11. Work through all the questions until you reach the end. Make sure you have answered all the questions to the best of your ability and use ALL the time. Once you are finished and are happy, click the 'FINISH' button at the top.

Work through all the questions until you reach the end. Make sure you have answered all the questions to the best of your ability and use ALL the time. Once you are finished and are happy, click the 'FINISH' button at th

12. Click on OK, to submit. If you have left a question blank you will receive another message that will ask you if you are sure you have completed 100% of the exam.

Click on OK, to submit. If you have left a question blank you will receive another message that will ask you if you are sure you have completed 100% of the exam.

13. You will see the message once you have submitted your exam.

You will see the message once you have submitted your exam.