<b class="Bold">Reading</b>
- Another weakness of mine because I am a slow reader. Even in IELTS, I really struggled in reading (6.5 band score). They are right, there is time pressure. I ran out of time here because I was caught off guard with the change in sequence of the reading parts as compared to the one during my practice. Fill in the Blanks (drag and drop) came first, multiple choice - choose multiple answers was in the middle and then followed by reorder and Fill in the Blanks (dropdown) and last is multiple choice - CSA (more on this below). But I find some of the parts in reading in PTE easier than in IELTS such as Fill in the Blanks (drag and drop) and Fill in the Blanks (select from drop down).
<b class="Bold">Fill in the Blanks (drag and drop)</b> - I found this easier in real exam than in practice test. I usually read the whole sentence to check if my selected word is the most appropriate based on context, grammar and collocation of leading and trailing words to the missing word.
<b class="Bold">Multiple Choice - Choose Multiple Answers</b> - Luckily, the answers were given in the first paragraph, which saved me a lot of time in finding the answers.
<b class="Bold">Re-order Paragraph</b> - This is the most difficult for me. I never got to reorder the paragraphs correctly during my practice. I had always 2 or 3 paragraph arranged in the wrong order. I was not 100% sure of my arrangement of the paragraphs in the actual exam. But I think the actual exam has the same difficulty as the practice test (except MacMillan which is too confusing and complex for me). I did not spend too much time thinking on this.
<b class="Bold">Fill in the Blanks (drop down selection)</b> - Although there are choices that are confusing due to similar meanings, it was still a manageable one for me. Similar to drag and drop, I reread the whole sentence before moving on.
<b class="Bold">Multiple Choice - CSA</b> - After the fill in the blanks (drop down selection), I had only few seconds left. One reason is, like I mentioned, the sequence. Another is the time allotted (practice test allows 41 mins - if I remember correctly, but only 31 mins in my actual exam). It's still my fault anyway, I did not manage my time well. So I just used the remaining seconds in guessing the answers (two items here) in this section. I could have done better to have my 20 points (hehe).
<b class="Bold">Listening</b>
- In my perspective, listening in PTE is more manageable than in IELTS. You have the time to rethink your answer here before going to the next item. However, there is also a time limit in listening.
<b class="Bold">Summarize Spoken Text</b> - I used the textbox provided on the screen to take down notes this time. This is quite similar to summarize written text except that you have to listen to a lecture. Usually, the lecture is slower, more organized and clearer than retell lecture.
<b class="Bold">Highlight Correct Summary</b> - I took down a lot of notes here. Usually the correct summary is in sequence based on the lecture. I chose the summary closest to what I heard and understood from my notes.
<b class="Bold">Multiple Choice - Choose Multiple Answers</b> - I read the question first before the recording starts. I also took notes while listening carefully here. And chose the best answers from what I heard based on the question.
<b class="Bold">Multiple Choice - Choose Single Answer</b> - I read the question first before the recording starts. I just listened attentively here without taking notes. And chose the best answer from what I heard based on the question.
<b class="Bold">Fill in the Blanks</b> - Again, I was focused on this. I used the words before the blank/textbox as signpost. I think I missed one blank here because I did not understand what the speaker said. I used the tab key to move to the next textbox. Also, I did not type the correct spelling of some of the missing words while listening. I just corrected them before moving to the next item. By the way, the speaker in the second item talked quite fast.
<b class="Bold">Select missing word (after the beep)</b> - I just listened without taking notes here and chose the most appropriate answer based on the topic, context of the last sentence in the lecture and correct grammar and collocation from the selection of answer. Actual exam is easier in this part for me.
<b class="Bold">Highlight incorrect words</b> - this is the easiest section of the listening. Still, you need to focus here. I used the mouse pointer in the screen while the recording was playing. Warning: the narration is fast.
<b class="Bold">Following are my tips based on my experience and opinion</b>
Pray!
Practice, practice, practice. Review, review, review.
Focus, don't mind others in the room and mind your own business (hehe).
Listen carefully/attentively to every audio recording.
The transition is fast, so don't panic. Keep calm.
Familiarized yourself with the PTE-A exam types/format/sequence. If you know the type of exam that's on the screen, you do not need to read the instructions, which could save you time.
In listening, read the question immediately before the recording starts.
In speaking, don't get intimidated with the graphs. Follow your game plan (template). Remember, fluency and pronunciation are what they are after here.
In writing essay, quick thinking of content and fast typing is necessary. Gather your thoughts and type whatever comes to your mind. Sometimes, 20 mins might not be enough. So better follow a certain format (writefix.com) or even follow a template for your introduction, conclusion and the first sentence of the body paragraphs. (http://dylanaung.blogspot.sg/2015/04/useful-phrases-sentences-and-formats.html). Read on the PTE essay frequent topics (http://dylanaung.blogspot.sg/2015/04/pte-academic-essay-questions-and-ideas.html).
In reading, manage your time well. There is a timer on the right upper corner of the screen.
You should be fine.
<b class="Bold">PTE vs IELTS</b>
<b class="Bold">Content / Exam Types</b>
- Although the content/exam types of PTE is/are intimidating at first (special mention to describe image and retell lecture), it's more manageable in my opinion.
<b class="Bold">Scoring</b>
- I think not only PTE is more generous/lenient when it comes to scoring, the scoring system of PTE is also better than IELTS. In addition, assessment on writing and speaking in IELTS can be done subjectively. While in PTE, being computer-based and based on some programmed artificial intelligence and logic, focuses more on grammar, vocab, spelling, fluency and pronunciation.
So that's it. Again, thank you everyone. Good luck and God bless.
Pasensya na, medyo napahaba pala. Pero sana may napulot kayong aral. 🙂 hehe