Helpful Tips for Listening
The listening test is only for 30 minutes. Audio will be played only once. You will have to multi-task in this test, which means that as you listen, you will also need to do other tasks such as take down notes and skim and scan the questionnaire for keywords and ideas. Then you will have 10 minutes to transfer your answers onto your answer sheet.
Here are some helpful tips before you take the test:
- Follow the recording and do not get lost. Do this by reading the questions for each section. Make sure to check the question before and after the question you are answering. Be sure to identify the answer and note it.
- Do not go back to a previous question. Look ahead of the questions and worry about what you have missed later after the audio is done.
- If you get a list of options, do not get distracted if they are arranged alphabetically. That may not be necessarily the order of the answers as you hear them. Again, take down notes and refer to them later.
- Read the instructions and never skip them. Take note of the number of words you have to write. If you exceed the number of words required (even when your answer seems correct), your answer will be marked wrong.
- You will be tested on your ability to listen for keywords or synonyms. For example, you might hear: “She likes to swim and to spend time with her friends.” On your answer sheet, it could appear as “She is an active person.”
- Take down notes accurately. It might help if you also encircle or underline key words and answers.
We hope that you find this post helpful. This is Kanan reminding you to keep listening. Aim high!