How can I get an A* in my Spanish written exam?

I have some really handy tips for helping students get an A* in your Spanish written exam.My first tip is - READ the question. So often students will write a long essay, without having answered the question or discussed what the exam question is asking. Read the question carefully, and slowly - and translate into English if this helps you. My second tip is - planning is essential. This not only helps the examiner to show you've thought about what you're writing, but it's amazing what a difference it can make spending a few minutes at the start of the exam. This will give you a clear direction of your writing/guideline of what to follow. My third tip is - learn random vocabulary. This might seem unusual, but more often or not a word will come up which the exam board has included to try and throw you off. If you learn say, five per week - this will add up before the exam! Try to take note of words in class which you hear/don't recognise, and look them up. These are on the exam syllabus so likely to be in the exam. Use apps like Memrise or Quizlet.My final tip is - make a list of A* structures. At the start of your essay, you might like to note down some A* structures which you know examiners will like and then tick them off as you use them. You can then proceed to put a neat cross through them after you have used them.