Reading
Multiple choice, choose single/multiple answer/s - Read the question first. If the question is asking about something specific, go on and read the choices then the passage. But if the question is something along the lines of: "Which of the following are true about...?" or "What is the speaker trying to say about...?", I suggest read the passage first before the choices because if you read the choices first, you will end up reading them twice. If you have time, try to eliminate other choices by asking yourself why all the other options are wrong. This has been a very effective strategy for me even for IELTS.
Re-order paragraphs - I prayed really hard for perfect timing for this section, as I found the Macmillan samples too confusing. Even during my second pass of the Macmillan reviewer for this section, I still couldn't get the orders right. It didn't help that they did not provide an explanation as to why such orders are correct. The offline practice test from PTE is a great help. I'm lucky that the items I got during the actual test were pretty straightforward.
Fill in the blanks - I am a very wide reader that's why I found this part easy. Sometimes I skip some sentences and focus on the ones that have gaps, but there are other times when you would need some clues on what type of word you're looking for (is it a negative or a positive one). Whatever style works for you, just remember to re-read the entire passage before you click 'Next' to make sure that it makes sense.
Listening
Summarize spoken text - For this part, I found it easier to take notes using the keyboard and the space provided on the screen rather than the erasable note booklet and pen because I'm a quick typist and as I mentioned above, I was having difficulty with the pen and glossy booklet. Just remember that the 10-minute allotted time actually includes the prompt. I didn't realize this until I was taking the exam when I was taken by surprise that I had only three minutes left to finalize my summary. Take note of word count as well. There was one item here where I wasn't sure if my last edits took effect because I ran out of time trying to condense my summary into 70 words. It took me longer to shorten my summary than to write it in the first place. If you find yourself in this situation (trying to shorten your summary), look for adjectives or example you could drop and ideas you could combine into one sentence. If you like writing your summaries beginning with "The speaker talks about...", try to take this out and write about the topic directly because this will save you a lot of words. If you need to lengthen your summary, just do the opposite.
Multiple choice, choose multiple/single answer/s - read and understand the question and scan the choices before the recording starts. As the prompt plays, try to eliminate other options and listen for the answer. For one item in the "Multiple choice, choose multiple answer", I didn't scan the choices and instead took down notes as I would in re-tell lecture. But I ended up second-guessing myself because I couldn't remember if I heard one of the choices in the lecture. So for the next items, I decided to forgo taking down notes and instead read as I listen.
Fill in the blanks - This is quite straightforward. Make use of the tab button so you don't waste time with the mouse. Don't get rattled with their accents.
Highlight correct summary - My strategy here is to take down notes as in re-tell lecture or summarize spoken text. I found it easier than reading through the options as I listen because I missed out on key points when I first did that. I found the options during the actual test easier than the Macmillan reviewer. They were quite different from one another and you could readily tell which one makes the most sense, unlike in Macmillan where they could all be correct except they include a minor item not mentioned in the prompt or they don't summarize the prompt very well.
Select missing word - Read the options, listen carefully to the prompt, understand the main idea and watch the progress bar. As it nears the end, make sure you remember the last few words that were said because this will help you figure out what type of word or set of words you're looking for.
Highlight incorrect words - Position your mouse over the first word and move it as the prompt plays. Just focus on what is being said and don't divert your attention to anything else because it's very easy to lose track. You will not be able to guess which words are incorrect if you miss them in the prompt.
Write from dictation - Again pretty straightforward. Don't worry about spelling as you type. Keep repeating the sentence in your head until you're done typing. Then check your spelling and punctuation. Breathe!
There you go! I hope you find my tips helpful. Good luck to all of us and God bless. 🙂