25/11/2015
Last minute tips for test takers:-
SPEAKING=
This item (Re-tell lecture) carries HIGHEST Weightage of marks in speaking section. In Retell Lecture make a note of maximum keywords and try to make maximum bullet points. Content is also one of the important factor, however keep more focus on pronunciation and oral fluency. Do not use much filler such as haaa, hmmmmm, ohhhh to name just a few which will result in reduction of score.
The Describe image item is having second highest weightage after re-tell lecture. So focus on this, to achieve good scores in speaking module. Try to speak full time (40 seconds).Content is not much important, however it also one of the important factor. Main focus should be on pronunciation and oral fluency. Do not follow any separate pronunciation, use neutral pronunciation and use NATURAL Accent. Don’t try to make fake Accent as accent hardly matters. Fluency is the key here. This item checks whether our speech is naturally flowing and are we able to convey the information effectively. Try to identify main/key/essential points given in the diagram and describe those points.
Read Aloud - Be fluent, pronounce words correctly, and give slight pause between sentences and after commas. Also give stress to main facts and features. You get 30 seconds to read test before speaking time starts. Here Partial credit marking applies.
Reading=
In Reading section time is constrain (30 to 40 mints time). Be prepared for the questions as it doesn't follow order it may come in different sequence.
Fill in the blanks (drag and drop), Fill in the blanks Reading and Writing (drop down) contain Maximum marks in reading section. Try to spend maximum time on these.
Reorder paragraphs contain second highest marks in reading. Try to mark at least one correct adjacent pair as it contains partial credit marking scheme.
Item types MC –CMA contain negative marking and if u are targeting 65+ u can skip them as they are very time consuming. Spend at a max of 5-6 mints for all the MCQS
Writing=
Summarize written text: Remember 1st sentence should start with a capital letter and should end with a single Full stop. Try to write from 30 -40 words at a max in this section in 8 mints time so that u get last 2 mints time to check your spelling and punctuation. In this section u are required to write from 5-75 words but I ask my students to write from 30 -40 words.
Listening=
Writing from Dictation item contains Maximum marks. Make a note of time as many students miss out this section because of lack of time which effects their writing as well as their listening score. Do not close your eyes to the listening test. Students tend to take the listening tests for granted, forgetting the fact that your listening test scores can actually turn the table. Remember – you get only one shot at listening to the tape. Understanding what is being said as prediction is the key.
