Hello everyone, for those asking, here are my tips:
Writing:
This one is easy. Just follow the standard format in writing an essay: 4 paragraphs. 1st par: intro – rephrase the question, define the given (e.g. an computer is an electronic device that blah blah), introduce your argument. 2nd par: advantages/pros, 3rd par: disadvantages/cons. 4th par: summary of opinion
Listening:
Just focus. Multiple choices - write down all key points and imagine what the speaker is saying so that understanding the article and answering the questions will be easy.
Highlight incorrect words – use the mouse cursor
Write from dictation – just type, then correct the spelling of words before moving on to the next question
Reading
This needs practice, checking of the answers and understanding the logic of the answers. Use the macmillan reviewer, sobrang hirap ng mga tanong dun but remember na wag magmove on unless hindi naiintndhan ung mga sagot. Took me 5 nights (after work) para mamaster ung 4 tests sa reading and ung logic behind lalo na sa re-order paragraphs. (2-3 repititions, sa 2nd take ko ng tests nagkakamali prn ako).
Practice speed reading, sa unang mga take ko nauubusan ako ng oras but on my last take may 10mins excess pa ako. What I did was every paragraph pansin ko nasa choices ung thought, either true or false lang. So every after paragraph hinahanap ko sa choices (ng mabilisan kasi mauubos ang time) and then madedetermine kng maeeliminate ung choice nay un or not. Usually kasi negation ng statement sa article ung nilalagay sa choices, pampalito. This needs practice. I took all the reorder paragraph sample questions na nakuha ko kasi eto tlg ung critical and for me mahirap mamaster. Then the time na natatama ko na almost all ng re-order Qs sa book ni Kelly N. on first reading, that’s the time nagging confident na ako sa reading.
Speaking
Most people struggle here. Here are my tips:
Don’t shout. Speak in conversational manner just like kapag nkikipag usap in tagalog.
The read aloud items are not declamation pieces, don’t read as if nagpeperform sa stage. That’s not conversational speaking. These are also not story-telling or oration sentences. Just read in a very relaxed manner. For girls, wag mahigh pitch and sumisigaw parang nasa palengke.
Don’t stress every single word. Wag magbasa ng masyadong mabagal, again that’s not the natural way of speaking. Just read. Listen to the model answers nung software ng pte-a exam. Someone uploaded it here. I think si hunter_08 somewhere. Use that for practicing.
Read aloud – pababa ung tono ng boses sa last words ng sentences (except for questions – pero very rare ito). wag masyadong matagal sa stops pag comma lang lalo na pag nag eenumerate ng examples. Again, pababa ang tono ng boses sa pagbasa.
Repeat sentence – focus. immitate the tone of the speaker
Describe image – merely describe what you see. wag na masyadong mag isip wala nang time para dun. Read the title, describe what you see. Again, pababa ang tono ng boses in finishing a sentence.
Re-tell lecture – take note of the key words and then speak naturally and spontaneously.
Answer short questions – very straightforward, just answer the questions. 🙂
For sample read aloud, please pm me your email address. 🙂