If you are a student who is preparing for the Ordinary Level (O/L) examination in Sri Lanka, you might be wondering how to download 2020 O/L English paper. The O/L exam is a General Certificate of Education (GCE) qualification that is conducted by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is based on the Cambridge University Ordinary Level qualification and it is usually taken by students during the final two years of senior secondary school (Grade 10 & 11).

The O/L exam is an important milestone for students as it determines their eligibility to pursue further studies at the Advanced Level (A/L) or vocational training courses. The exam consists of six mandatory subjects and three optional subjects that can be selected according to the student’s preference. One of the mandatory subjects is English Language, which tests the student’s ability to communicate effectively in English in different situations.

One of the best ways to prepare for the O/L English exam is to use past papers as a study tool. Past papers are previous exam papers that are available for students to download or view online. They help students to familiarize themselves with the format, structure, and types of questions that are asked in the exam. They also help students to assess their level of understanding, identify their weak areas, and practice their time management skills.

In this article, we will show you where to find 2020 O/L English paper and how to use it effectively to improve your English skills and performance in the exam.

What is O/L Exam in Sri Lanka?

The O/L exam is a national examination that is conducted annually by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is based on the Cambridge University Ordinary Level qualification, which is an internationally recognized qualification that is equivalent to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in the UK.

The O/L exam consists of nine subjects, six of which are mandatory and three of which are optional. The mandatory subjects are:

• Sinhala Language or Tamil Language
• English Language
• Mathematics
• Religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, or Christianity)
• Science
• History

The optional subjects can be selected from a range of subjects, such as:

• Art
• Commerce
• Dancing
• Drama
• French
• Geography
• German
• Health and Physical Education
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
• Literature (Sinhala, Tamil, or English)
• Music
• Agriculture and Food Technology
• Civic Education and Governance
• Design and Technology
• Home Economics and Livelihood Education
• Media and Communication Studies

The O/L exam is graded on a scale of A to F, where A is the highest grade and F is the lowest grade. The grades are based on the percentage of marks obtained by the student in each subject. The grading scheme is as follows:

To pass the O/L exam, a student must obtain at least six subjects with grades C or above, including the mandatory subjects. A student who fails to meet this requirement can re-sit the exam in the following year.

Why is O/L Exam Important?

The O/L exam is important because it determines the eligibility of the student to pursue further studies at the A/L or vocational training courses. The A/L exam is a two-year course that prepares the student for university admission or professional qualifications. The vocational training courses are one-year or two-year courses that provide the student with practical skills and knowledge for various occupations.

The O/L exam also serves as a benchmark for the student’s academic achievement and potential. It reflects the student’s proficiency in various subjects and skills, such as language, mathematics, science, history, and art. It also indicates the student’s interests and aptitudes, which can help them choose their future career path.

Therefore, it is important for students to prepare well for the O/L exam and aim for the best possible grades. By doing so, they can increase their chances of getting into their preferred A/L stream or vocational training course, and achieve their educational and career goals.

How Can Past Papers Help Students Prepare for O/L Exam?

One of the most effective ways to prepare for the O/L exam is to use past papers as a study tool. Past papers are previous exam papers that are available for students to download or view online. They help students to familiarize themselves with the format, structure, and types of questions that are asked in the exam. They also help students to assess their level of understanding, identify their weak areas, and practice their time management skills.

Some of the benefits of using past papers are:

• They help students to understand what is expected of them in the exam. By solving past papers, students can get an idea of how the exam is designed, how much time is allocated for each section, and how the marks are distributed. They can also learn about the instructions, guidelines, and rules that they need to follow in the exam.
• They help students to test their knowledge and skills. By solving past papers, students can check their answers using the marking scheme and see how well they have mastered the syllabus. They can also identify their mistakes and areas for improvement, such as grammar, spelling, vocabulary, calculations, diagrams, etc.
• They help students to improve their confidence and performance. By solving past papers, students can practice their speed and accuracy under exam conditions. They can also learn from their feedback and improve their weak areas by revising the concepts or practicing more questions. They can also develop strategies to tackle different types of questions and avoid common errors.

Therefore, it is advisable for students to use past papers as part of their revision plan and solve them regularly before the exam. By doing so, they can enhance their preparation and boost their chances of scoring high marks in the O/L exam.

Where to Find 2020 O/L English Paper?

There are several sources where students can find 2020 O/L English paper and the corresponding marking scheme. Some of these sources are:

Official Website of Department of Examinations

The official website of the Department of Examinations is http://www.doenets.lk, where students can access the past papers and marking schemes of O/L and A/L exams from 2010 to 2020. To download the 2020 O/L English paper and marking scheme, students need to follow these steps:

1. Visit the website and click on the “Examination” tab on the top menu.
2. Select “G.C.E. (O/L)” from the drop-down list.
3. Click on the “Past Papers” link on the left sidebar.
4. Select “2020” from the year list and “English Language” from the subject list.
5. Click on the “Download” button to download the paper and marking scheme in PDF format.

The official website also provides other useful information, such as exam timetables, results, circulars, and notices.

Past Paper Websites and Apps

There are also many websites and apps that offer past papers and marking schemes for O/L and A/L exams for free or for a fee. Some of these websites and apps are:

• https://pastpapers.lk/: This website provides past papers and marking schemes for O/L and A/L exams from 2010 to 2020 in Sinhala, Tamil, and English mediums. It also provides model papers, notes, syllabuses, and online tests.
• https://www.papacambridge.com/: This website provides past papers and marking schemes for Cambridge International exams, including O/L and A/L exams. It also provides syllabuses, specimen papers, learner guides, and teacher support materials.
• https://www.pastpapersz.com/: This website provides past papers and marking schemes for O/L and A/L exams from 2010 to 2020 in Sinhala, Tamil, and English mediums. It also provides model papers, notes, syllabuses, and online tests.
• https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pastpapers.gceol&hl=en&gl=US: This is an app that provides past papers and marking schemes for O/L exams from 2015 to 2020 in Sinhala, Tamil, and English mediums. It also provides model papers, notes, syllabuses, and online tests.
• https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pastpapers.gceal&hl=en&gl=US: This is an app that provides past papers and marking schemes for A/L exams from 2015 to 2020 in Sinhala, Tamil, and English mediums. It also provides model papers, notes, syllabuses, and online tests.

These websites and apps are convenient and easy to use, but students should be careful about the quality and accuracy of the content. They should always cross-check with the official sources or their teachers before using them.

School Support Hub and Support Sites

If the student is studying at a Cambridge International school, they can access past papers and marking schemes from the School Support Hub, Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Lower Secondary support sites. These are secure online platforms that provide teaching and learning resources for Cambridge International schools. To access these platforms, the student needs to have a username and password provided by their school. To download the 2020 O/L English paper and marking scheme, the student needs to follow these steps:

1. Visit the School Support Hub website at https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/support-and-training-for-schools/ and log in with their username and password.
2. Select “Cambridge O Level” from the “Qualifications” menu.
3. Select “English – First Language (1123)” from the “Syllabus” menu.
4. Select “2020” from the “Series” menu.
5. Select “Question Paper” or “Mark Scheme” from the “Resource Type” menu.
6. Click on the “Download” button to download the paper or marking scheme in PDF format.

The School Support Hub and support sites also provide other useful resources, such as syllabuses, specimen papers, learner guides, teacher support materials, and online training courses.

How to Use 2020 O/L English Paper Effectively?

Once the student has downloaded or viewed the 2020 O/L English paper and marking scheme, they need to use it effectively to improve their English skills and performance in the exam. Here are some tips on how to use the past paper:

Review the Syllabus and Marking Scheme

Before solving the past paper, the student should review the syllabus and marking scheme to understand the aims, objectives, and assessment criteria of the exam. The syllabus outlines the content and skills that are covered in the exam, such as reading comprehension, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation. The marking scheme explains how the marks are awarded for each question, what are the key points or features that are expected in the answers, and how to avoid common errors or pitfalls.

The student should use the syllabus and marking scheme as a guide to plan their revision and focus on their weak areas. They should also use them as a reference to check their answers and evaluate their performance after solving the past paper.

Solve the Past Paper Under Exam Conditions

After reviewing the syllabus and marking scheme, the student should solve the past paper under exam conditions, such as following the instructions, timing themselves, and avoiding distractions. The 2020 O/L English paper consists of two parts: Part 1 (Reading) and Part 2 (Writing). Part 1 has two sections: Section A (Comprehension) and Section B (Summary). Part 2 has one section: Section C (Writing). The total duration of the paper is two hours.

The student should allocate the time for each part and section according to the marks and difficulty level. For example, they can spend 40 minutes on Part 1 Section A, 20 minutes on Part 1 Section B, and 60 minutes on Part 2 Section C. They should also leave some time for checking and revising their answers at the end. They should follow the instructions carefully and answer all the questions in the paper. They should avoid looking at the marking scheme or any other sources while solving the paper. They should also avoid any distractions, such as phone calls, messages, or noises, and create a quiet and comfortable environment for themselves.

Check the Answers and Identify Mistakes

After solving the past paper, the student should check their answers using the marking scheme and identify their mistakes and areas for improvement. They should compare their answers with the expected answers in the marking scheme and see how they have performed in each part and section. They should also calculate their total marks and grade according to the grading scheme.

The student should identify their mistakes and analyze the reasons behind them. They should also identify their weak areas and gaps in their knowledge or skills. For example, they can find out if they have made any errors in grammar, spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, calculations, diagrams, etc. They can also find out if they have missed any key points or features in their answers, or if they have written irrelevant or incorrect information. They can also find out if they have answered all the questions completely and clearly, or if they have left any blanks or vague statements.

Learn from Feedback and Practice More

After checking their answers and identifying their mistakes, the student should learn from their feedback and practice more using other past papers or resources. They should revise the concepts or topics that they have found difficult or confusing. They should also practice more questions or exercises that are similar to those in the past paper. They should also seek help from their teachers or peers if they have any doubts or queries.

The student should repeat this process with other past papers until they feel confident and comfortable with the exam format and content. They should also monitor their progress and improvement by comparing their marks and grades in different past papers. They should also celebrate their achievements and reward themselves for their hard work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using past papers is a great way to prepare for the O/L English exam. It helps students to familiarize themselves with the exam format, structure, and types of questions that are asked in the exam. It also helps students to assess their level of understanding, identify their weak areas, and practice their time management skills.

To use past papers effectively, students need to find 2020 O/L English paper from reliable sources, such as the official website of Department of Examinations, past paper websites and apps, or school support hub and support sites. They also need to review the syllabus and marking scheme before solving the past paper under exam conditions. After solving the past paper, they need to check their answers using the marking scheme and identify their mistakes and areas for improvement. Finally, they need to learn from feedback and practice more using other past papers or resources.

By following these tips, students can improve their English skills and performance in the O/L exam and achieve their desired grades.

FAQs

• Q: When is the O/L exam held?
• A: The O/L exam is usually held in December every year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the O/L exam for 2020 was postponed to March 2021.
• Q: How many marks are there in the O/L English paper?
• A: The O/L English paper has a total of 100 marks. Part 1 (Reading) has 50 marks and Part 2 (Writing) has 50 marks.
• Q: How can I improve my writing skills for the O/L English exam?
• A: To improve your writing skills for the O/L English exam, you need to practice writing different types of texts, such as essays, letters, reports, articles, speeches, etc. You also need to pay attention to the purpose, audience, tone, and format of your writing. You also need to use appropriate grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, and spelling. You also need to plan, draft, edit, and proofread your writing before submitting it.
• Q: How can I improve my reading comprehension skills for the O/L English exam?
• A: To improve your reading comprehension skills for the O/L English exam, you need to practice reading different types of texts, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, etc. You also need to use various reading strategies, such as skimming, scanning, predicting, inferring, summarizing, etc. You also need to answer different types of questions, such as factual, inferential, evaluative, etc. You also need to use context clues, reference words, and word formation to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases.
• Q: How can I prepare for the O/L English exam during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• A: To prepare for the O/L English exam during the COVID-19 pandemic, you need to follow the health and safety guidelines issued by the authorities. You also need to adapt to the online learning mode and use various online resources and platforms to study and practice. You also need to maintain a regular study schedule and a healthy lifestyle. You also need to seek support from your teachers, parents, and peers if you face any difficulties or challenges.