Listening
• Summarise Spoken Text –This is just the same as Retell Lecture but the difference is that your response here is typewritten. I used e2language template for Retell lecture. Maybe note-taking is really my forte. I write as many info as I can. Write in phrases. The more info you write, the better. Then, type everything using the format:
“The speaker was mainly talking about ___. He stressed that. Also, he mentioned_____. Etc etc.
There were times that I’ve written so much. The key is, write first then trim down afterwards to meet the maximum number of words. You may just use “The speaker discussed…” in order to save words. What’s important is that you include as many info you could get from the spoken text. You may use exact words from the audio. I mean no need to use synonyms but don’t write verbatim.
• Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers –before the audio starts, read right away the question and choices so that you can focus listening after. While listening, select from the choices right away upon hearing the answers. By doing this, you can save time for Writing from Dictation.
• Fill in the blanks –Don’t forget to click the boxes else you won’t be able to type. Check right away the closeness of each blanks. What I did was to type directly as fast as I could. I didn’t mind the spelling first. I corrected them afterwards. Be careful of “s” and “ed” for plural nouns and verbs in the past.
• Highlight correct summary –Skim the choices right away. If you can listen to the audio and at the same time look at the choices to see which one you can eliminate, do so. That’s what I did to save time. But if no, it’s better to focus more on the audio. Just try to understand what it’s all about first and then choose from the options. Based on experience, the passages are not that hard to understand/summarise compared to the Reading Multiple Choice Choose Single Answer.
• Multiple Choice Single Answer –read the question and the choices right away before the audio starts. Usually the options are short anyway. Then choose the answer while listening.
• Select Missing Word –Again read the options before the audio starts. Then focus on the audio. Understand the whole context. It will help you choose the right answer.
• Highlight Incorrect Words –My technique here is to read it softly (not that loud so you can still hear the audio) at the same time as the audio. It’s easier for me to detect which is incorrect. Remember to move the cursor at the same time.
• Write from Dictation –From what I’ve read from e2langugae, this part weighs more than the others, so make sure not to miss any WFD item. Manage your time properly in the previous sections so you would have enough time for WFD. My technique is the same as Repeat Sentence. I use the “write-the-first-letter-of-the-word” technique. Based on experience, sentences are shorter than Repeat Sentence.
Reading
Managing my time was the biggest challenge for me. The first time I took the exam, I was too swift that I had 5 minutes extra. So the following exam, I read the passages carefully but ran out of time to read the last Multiple Choice Single Answer question, so I simply guessed. Thank God, I was still able to reach my target. It was really a miracle. Like what I’ve said, I also focused on Summarise Written Text since it also contributes to Reading score. Check how PTE is scored to see which sections you need to focus on. Remember, some questions contribute to more than one communicative skill. Going back to managing your time, check the order of questions at the beginning of the Reading exam so that you know when to spend time more. Jay of e2 language recommends to spend 2-3 minutes on each item.
• Multiple Choice Single Answer –Read the question first then the passage as fast as you can.
• Multiple Choice Multiple Answer –Options are tricky. Be careful. Sometimes they will use words from the passage but the context is not inferred from the text. I’ve seen this many times. If you are sure of one option but not of the others, don’t attempt to chose another one as it will just offset your sure answer. But I only did this once. Still try to get full marks if you can.
• Re-order paragraphs –learn from e2language. It really helped me. Look for the main topic sentence by elimination method. Eliminate those sentences with pronouns such as him, this, etc. Even those with adverbs at the beginning. Look for connections to see which one comes next. You’ll learn all of these from e2language blog. For practices, I used ptestudy.com. Practice at least 10 items everyday. Check the answers and see the “connections” between each sentence. That way, you will learn how to see the connections in the future. There was one item from ptestudy.com or ptetutorials.com that appeared in my exam.
• Fill in the blanks –they say it’s more of collocations. Fortunately, I’m used to collocations (not that proficient though) because I have been reading a lot ever since. So the key here is to practice reading books, news etc.
Thank you very much for all the help and for inspiring me guys. I’ll post tomorrow the sentimental/spiritual part. I’m sure most of us can attest that this is not plainly academic. I’ll rest for the meantime. God bless everyone!