Spelling - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering spelling questions in Abstract Reasoning tests
Test Format and Structure
Important facts
- Misspelled words reflect most common errors from research studies
- Focus on plausible misspellings, not obvious errors
- Test measures basic skill necessary for academic and vocational pursuits
- Low spelling scores affect courses requiring written communication
Key definitions
Spelling Test
Example
Choose the misspelled word: cycle, gurl, arrow, wrote (answer: gurl)
A test measuring ability to identify correctly and incorrectly spelled common English words
Format Pattern
Example
Options A, B, D correct; Option C incorrect
Three correctly spelled words and one misspelled word per question
Common Spelling Error Patterns
Important facts
- Double consonants in middle of words are frequently missed
- Silent letters at beginning of words often forgotten
- Vowel combinations (ie, ei, oo, ea) commonly confused
- Word endings (-ence/-ance, -ible/-able) frequently mixed up
- Compound words may have unusual spelling patterns
Key definitions
Homophones
Example
there/their/they're, your/you're, its/it's
Words that sound alike but are spelled differently
Double Letters
Example
accommodate (double c, double m), occurrence (double c, double r)
Words with repeated consonants that are commonly misspelled
Silent Letters
Example
wrought (silent w), knowledgeable (silent k)
Letters that are written but not pronounced
Diagrams to know
- Error pattern recognition chart
- Common prefix/suffix combinations
High-Frequency Misspelled Words
Common values
Value
Double letters omitted
Symbol
accommodate → acommodate
Quantity
Most Common Error
Value
Wrong vowel combinations
Symbol
receive → recieve
Quantity
Second Most Common
Important facts
- abbreviate (not abreviate) - double b
- absence (not absense) - c before e
- accommodate (not acommodate) - double c, double m
- accessible (not accesible) - double c, ible ending
- occurrence (not occurence) - double c, double r, ence
- knowledgeable (not knowlegable) - silent k, able ending
- acquaintance (not acquiantance) - cqu combination
- procrastinate (not procastinate) - cr combination
- chauffeur (not chafurre) - French origin spelling
- idiosyncrasy (not idosyncrasy) - io not o
Error Detection Strategies
Formulas
Elimination Method
Meaning
Remove obviously correct options first, focus on remaining choices
Watch out
Don't rush - check each option carefully
When to use
When multiple options look correct
Important facts
- Look for words that sound right but are spelled wrong
- Check for missing or extra letters systematically
- Pay attention to word endings and prefixes
- Consider etymology (word origin) for unusual spellings
- Practice with commonly confused word pairs
Key definitions
Sound-Spelling Mismatch
Example
colonel sounds like kernel but spelled differently
When pronunciation doesn't match spelling pattern
Punctuation and Format Errors
Important facts
- Periods required after abbreviations: St., Ave., Brgy.
- Commas separate address units: street, district, city
- Hyphens indicate sub-units: 247-B Silver St.
- Missing cor. (corner) in address descriptions
- Proper comma placement in salutations and closings
Key definitions
Address Format
Example
No. 37 De Vera St., Brgy. Mariblo, Quezon City
Specific punctuation rules for addresses and contact information
Abbreviation Rules
Example
St. (Street), Ave. (Avenue), Brgy. (Barangay)
Proper use of periods in standard abbreviations
Diagrams to know
- Standard address format layout
- Punctuation placement guide
Must remember
- Three correct, one incorrect word per question - find the misspelled one
- Double letters are the #1 source of spelling errors (accommodate, occurrence)
- Silent letters at word beginnings often dropped (knowledgeable, wrought)
- Check word endings: -ence vs -ance, -ible vs -able
- Homophones sound right but spelled wrong (their/there/they're)
- Eliminate obviously correct options first, focus on remaining choices
- Address format requires periods after abbreviations (St., Ave., Brgy.)
- Commas separate address components: street, district, city
- Missing 'cor.' (corner) is common error in address questions
- Practice high-frequency words: absence, accessible, chauffeur, idiosyncrasy
Last minute tips
- Read each option aloud mentally - misspelled words often 'sound wrong'
- For address questions, check every comma and period placement
- Watch for doubled letters in middle positions (accommodate, occurrence)
- If unsure between options, choose the one with more complex spelling
- Don't overthink - first instinct on spelling is usually correct
Comparison tables
Common Word Pairs - Correct vs Incorrect
| Correct Spelling | Common Mistake | Memory Aid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| accommodate | accommodate | acommodate | double c, double m |
| occurrence | occurrence | occurence | double c, double r |
| accessible | accessible | accesible | ible not able |
| knowledgeable | knowledgeable | knowlegable | silent k + able |
| procrastinate | procrastinate | procastinate | cr not c |
Address Format Rules
| Component | Correct Format | Common Error | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street abbreviation | St. | St | Missing period |
| Corner indicator | cor. | missing | Omitted entirely |
| Unit separator | 247-B | 247B | Missing hyphen |
| Comma placement | St., Brgy. | St, Brgy | Missing commas |
Diagrams
Spelling Test Overview
Complete overview of spelling test components and common error patterns
Spelling Question Strategy
Step-by-step process for systematically identifying misspelled words
Most Common Spelling Error Types
Distribution of most frequent spelling error types in exams