First take and I got 90 overall!!!!!!! Super thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. To pay it forward, here are the pointers and templates I used in portions I found really challenging. I dedicated most of my time in these areas. Working as of 8/26 test-taking:
Materials: APEUni VIP, PTE Pearson mock tests
SPEAKING
Read Aloud
Practiced a lot in APEUni. Just spoke as naturally and as comfortably, and I found speaking in an Aussie accent (without pronouncing letter r, kasi bulol ako lol) worked for me. That's what I did during the actual PTE exam.
Repeat Sentence
Focused on the message, not just the words. It helped to close my eyes while listening and visualise it or translate in Tagalog in my head.
Describe Image, Retell Lecture
Jimmyssem template: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDheXo2epi4&ab_channel=PTEJimmyssem%EC%A7%80%EB%AF%B8%EC%8C%A4%ED%94%BC%ED%8B%B0%EC%9D%B4
Yan lang, nothing else—worked perfectly!
Answer Short Question
Ang hihirap ng mga nakuha ko, so I missed three yata and nag-buffer talaga utak ko. So I just guess for the questions I didn't know.
WRITING
Summarise Written Text
35–38 words. I used words from the text, and did not make up my own summary. Kumbaga parang pinick apart ko lang yung text then patched it together in a way that made sense pa rin. Did not use a template.
Essay
I used the APEUni template. But instead of memorising it completely, tinake ko lang yung main points and keywords so I can map the flow of the essay. Hindi ako comfortable using a hard template kasi when writing, mas nalilito ako, so I wanted to have a more flexible approach sa Essay part. Here's what I used (I bolded the keywords that helped me remember the template):
First paragraph: These days, there is substantive controversy among individuals regarding (topic, use the phrase/s from the prompt). The vast majority of people hold that (argument 1), while others strongly believe (argument 2). In my opinion, (thesis statement).
Second paragraph: Firstly, (present reason 1). For instance, a 2017 study from Cambridge University showed that (evidence 1).
Third paragraph: Furthermore, (present reason 2). As a matter of fact, a 2019 study from Harvard University revealed that (evidence 2).
Conclusion: In summary, I hold the view that (thesis statement). To address this issue, society should make an effort to find solutions.
Pointers or flow of essay:
Introduce the topic.
Introduce possible views.
Introduce your personal view.
Reason #1 for your view.
Example #1.
Reason #2 for your view.
Example #2.
Summary.
I freely changed the verbs to my liking and mga connectors like "as a matter of fact". But lahat ng naka-bold, I kept. I'm fairly comfortable writing so trineat ko na lang na parang school essay na kung anu-ano yung point pero grammatically correct pa rin.
READING
Really just improved with practice here. If I could add something, read the question first before you read the text so you know what you're looking for while reading.
Reorder paragraphs
E2 super method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9BHVg2JEPo&ab_channel=E2PTEAcademic I'd say this is more about paying attention to the composition of the sentences talaga. Found this tough, but improved with practice.
LISTENING
Summarise Spoken Text
No template, ang baon ko lang ay yung opener na "The speaker mentioned..."
I typed down keywords and key phrases while I listened, so habang kino-compose ko na yung actual answer ay andun na sila sa baba. The list helped kasi kita ko agad yung flow ng message. Just make sure to delete it and to stick to 65–70 words.
Like the SWT portion, I just took those words and phrases tapos patched them up to make a coherent answer. Also limited myself to 3 sentences, kasi that's what worked for me sa PTE Pearson mock tests.
Highlight Correct Summary
Used the countdown to skim the answers muna. That helps you map out the message of each option, para ma-connect mo pag pinakikinggan mo na yung sagot. Some advised not to look at the options first, but I found that the opposite worked for me.
Select Missing Word
Did not look at the options kasi I found them distracting. Instead, I listened intently na lang. In my experience, the missing word/s connect sa message kasi.
Other portions, I just practiced.
Hope this helps future test-takes, and best of luck to you all!!!
