POINTERS when preparing for the PTE A exam.
At the time that I started planning for my PTE A review, I honestly don’t know where to start. Without proper planning, you’ll end up wasting valuable time during review and preparation.
Here are my pointers when starting your PTE A journey.
(1) Gather all possible review materials online (or review materials being shared on this forum)
(2) Print a copy of the list of the 20 question type. Review the rules, instructions and any negative marking for each question type.
(3) Depending on your english proficiency level, you may need to do a refresher course for your grammar skills, pronunciation, enunciation, etc.
(4) Study the academic collocations
(5) Create a list for all linking words, conjunctions, transition words that you can use. List of appropriate words to use per topic, etc
(6) Master the structured templates for Describe Image, Re tell lecture and Essay writing
(7) Using the printed copy of the 20 question type - begin studying one question type at a time.
The purpose of your list is to stay focus on one question type at a time. If you are scheduled to review READ aloud today, puro RA lang ang focus mo. Tips and Tricks on how to ace it, etc.
The reason for this is because when you go sa internet, all the review materials will be readily available sa iyo - and if you don’t have focus - you’ll end up clicking whatever video you see for describe image, essay, FIB , etc - and ultimately screwing your review timetable. Malilito ka sa dami, ma ooverwhelm - mag iinarte na waw ang hirap naman. Kaya stay focused. That is one of the key.
Watch you tube videos from legit sources (e2language). You can also use IELTS review videos particularly sa essay writing and sa reading tricks and tips nila.
At this point - studying pa lang tayo (no practice pa muna - wag atat 🙂 )
(8) Once confident - begin with practice sa you tube and available apps online. Practice considering the time constraint. Kahit masagutan mo pero lagpas sa allotted time, walang effect yan.
Sure we all can construct a response in English for the describe image, but can we all do it in 40 seconds? Practice is crucial and very very important. The more you practice, the more it will be easier for you to ace the exam.
Now why I recommend to equip yourselves with knowledge before taking any practice test? That is to make sure you give your 101% best, and not create any self doubt at any point in time. Delikado yang self doubt - it destroys your momentum.
(9) Once review and practice are completed - take the mock test.
Isa pa ito, do not take the MOCK test just because. Or alam mo yun minsan may konting yabang tayo e to you know “just gauge” our english proficiency since English naman ang ating medium for communication sa work, and we can carry conversations in English during meetings and conferences. Resist the urge on this. Yes maari na you’ll get a good score sa iyong mock test without the preparation, pero if sumobrang baba ng score mo due to lack of familiarity sa structure ng exam - yung self doubt brought by your decision to take the mock exam - can greatly affect your confidence. So don’t risk it. Sa ibang bagay ka nalang mag yabang - wag kay PTE 🙂
(10) The results of your mock test will tell you which areas you need to work on pa (if meron pa)
Ideally, I recommend that you schedule your exam ahead of time then start the review. By doing this, may deadline ka sa iyong pag rereview. May specific date na kailangan tapos ka na at ready na to take the exam. Without a deadline, si kumpareng procrastination e nandyan lang paali aligid. Sure mas masarap manood ng movies sa netflix, kesa mag repeat sentence 🙂 It is all about your goals - and kung ano ba ang target mo to achieve.
TIPS
3 hours per day bago or matapos mag work ang schedule ng review.
Magreview sa same environment as the pte exam (maingay, daming destruction) so that you can easily adapt at wag magulat sa mismong exam date na yung katabi mo e akala mo contestant sa declamation contest habang nag reread aloud.
Mag take ng supplement if medyo olats na ang brain cells hahaha! Check first kung applicable din sa iyo and sa iyong health condition ang brain supplements (ginkgo biloba) wag ako sisihin kung di umepeks - wala ako kinalaman dyan 🙂
Mag relax kahit minsan akala mo lagi ka nalang hinahabol ng oras. Manood ng sine - isakto mo ng English para nagrereview ka na din sa listening ganyan 🙂
Wag pabayaan ang sarili. Magpaka oa sa vitamin C para di magkasakit (sipon, ubo) on the exam day. Seryoso ako, di pede ngongo at ubo ng ubo during exam - walang taympers sa describe image.
Days leading to the exam ako e nag leleave (may not be applicable for all) - para well prepared ako kasi I go through one last round of refresher sa pag take ng exam.
On the night of the exam - wag mo na isipin ang mga di mo pa na rereview (if ever kinulang ka). Get a good night’s sleep - yung pangarap mong 9 hours sleep - I achieve mo iyan. Very Important. Ipikit mo na ang mata mo, tigilan mo na si Jay ng e2language 🙂
Sa morning, wake up in gratitude and magdasal. Whatever your religion is, ask for guidance for the following
that you may be able to give your 101% sa exam
na di ka kabahan
na walang technical glitch na maganap please lang naman po 🙂
na wag kang ma trapik at ma late
na wag kang mag panic
Ialay kay Lord and exam day. Sya ang bahala sa iyo.
Depending on the timing ng exam mo, some takes breakfast, sabi nila wag na magkape para wag kabahan or mag palpitate (lol) - this all depends on you.
Naalala ko lang yung exams ko ( I always take the 10 am exam) without brekkie (just coffee - yung matapang pa sa nanay mo hahaha) - by the time na napakatahimik at nag cocompose ng essay ang lahat, biglang kumalam yung sikmura ko ahahaha! nakakahiya. sabi ko nalang, ganti yan sa ingay nyo kanina sa repeat sentence hahaha! 🙂
On the day of the exam, like what I always say, 101% tayo,Ninja mode. Isipin lahat ng hinirap and claim na you will get through this and ma aachieve ang superior, because you worked hard for it. It’s all in the mind. If you came prepared, act prepared. Wag unahan ng negative self talk and self doubt na di mo ma aachieve, kasi mag mamanifest yan sa performance mo.
And when you finally achieve that superior score.. Tulungan ang iba pa to achieve theirs. Pay it forward, don’t break the chain. 🙂
Goodluck sa lahat! 🙂