Listening:
1. There will be 4 sections lasting for 30 minutes
2. First question in section-1 will be answered for example
3. The presentation and audio will be absolutely clear
4. Read the questions quickly - you will be given time for this
5. Write answers in question paper while listening
6. Focus on the narration / conversation
7. Abbreviate the answers on the question paper - spend time in listening than in writing
8. Keep moving - don’t get struck - you can afford to make a few mistakes
9. Answer all questions - there is no negative mark
10. Look (expect) for the answer while listening
11. Look for corrections during narration
12. Spelling is important not caps and punctuations
13. Caps is important for names (Bill Gates not Bill gates)
14. American / British spelling is ok
15. Limit to 2/3 words as instructed - exceeding will be punished
16. Use bullets in ‘match the following’
17. Passages will be progressively difficult - you must get all in first section correctly for a good score
18. Time will be given for transferring answers - time is more than adequate
19. Be careful while transferring
20. Use only pencil - pen is prohibited
21. Don’t make careless mistakes while transferring
22. Transfer the answers on ‘Listening’ side of the answer sheet
23. Watch BBC / NGC / Discovery channels daily
24. Take at least 10 mock tests in Trichy + with the clock on
Reading:
1. You will be given 60 minutes for 3 sections
2. Spend 2 minutes in reading the questions before reading passages
3. Read passage taking adequate time (10 minutes)
4. Don’t get struck if you can’t understand a sentence / word-just move-on
5. Mark names, periods, numbers while reading
6. Fix headings (if asked for) once each paragraph is completed
7. Never make a spelling mistake
8. Be careful while answering ‘Yes/No/Not Given’ - they are not direct - comprehend the question and passage
9. Use numbers and alphabets wherever possible to avoid spelling mistakes
10. Complete each passage within 20 minutes
11. No separate time is given for transferring answers
12. Transfer the answers after completing each passage - never take it to the last - it may be costly
13. Don’t make careless mistakes while transferring
14. Transfer the answers on ‘Reading’ side of the answer sheet
15. Use only pencil - pen is prohibited
16. Read newspaper and good English books to improve the reading speed. Also take mock tests to time
Writing:
1. You will be given 60 minutes for this section
2. Use 20 minutes for section-1 and 40 minutes for section-2
3. Section-2 carries more Weightage
4. Don’t just describe the section-1, use you inference / interpretation appropriately
5. Jot-down the points before starting to write
6. Stick to 150 words for section-1- you can exceed by 20 words
7. Stick to 250 words for section-2- you can exceed by 50 words
8. Don’t repeat ideas for filling the page - they are smarter than you and I
9. Use paragraph appropriately
10. Punctuation, grammar and spelling is important
11. Answer all points without exception
12. You will be asked to take side and present your argument in support. This section carries Weightage
13. Heading is a good idea although not compulsory
14. Use appropriate phrases. Don’t use idioms just for the sake
15. You can highlight important points
16. Handwriting to be legible - practice if you don’t have this skill
17. You can use pen but pencil is a good idea for you can correct without spoiling the paper
18. Read short essay books and listen to debates. Take mock test to time
Speaking:
1. ‘It is the difficult part’ is a myth. In fact it is the easiest
2. You will find your friend sitting there as examiner. He will put you at ease before commencing - don’t worry
3. He is not a native British, he is a native Indian who will understand all that you speak
4. Carry a bottle of water if you feel nervous
5. Feel confident-understand it was not a test but just a discussion with your friend
6. There will be a formal introduction (4 minutes), a couple of questions about you. A cue card discussion (10 minutes)
7. Prepare for the test but don’t mug up
8. Avoid slang (he knows you are not a British / American)
9. Don’t watch your language-focus on the topic
10. Don’t stammer or look for words
11. Speak slowly-speed doesn’t indicate your mastery
12. Pronounce properly
13. Don’t make grammatical mistakes
14. Be objective
15. Prepare for personal introduction. Cover all aspects such as your family, native, schooling, profession, hobbies, personal mission (if any). Use your own language
16. Prepare for the cue card (an exhaustive list is enclosed)
17. If the topic is not appropriate to you, you don’t have a ‘flip’ life line, this is not KBC-Try to improvise
18. Cover all points in the card
19. Don’t worry about time-he will keep it up for you
20. Answer all points mentioned in cue card
21. Don’t repeat a sentence or idea
22. Use adjectives appropriately. For example, you can say, ‘I come from a temple city called Trichy’ instead of just saying ‘I come from Trichy’
23. Talk to yourself, record and play back. Take mock test
Test Taking:
1. The test is conducted thrice a month
2. Register on line through credit card-carry your passport
3. You will receive the hall ticket before the test and an e-mail confirmation
4. Attend briefing session on the previous day if there is one
5. Visit the test center a day before the test to avoid surprises on the test date
6. The test in India starts at 12:15pm-it is conducted across the globe simultaneously
7. To manage time they may schedule your speaking test on the subsequent day. Be prepared for this
8. Carry the hall ticket and passport without fail
9. Take a photocopy of the passport (with your photo and name) and one pp size photo
10. Take 2 pencils (dark shade), eraser, and sharpener-don’t worry about pen, you can manage the test without it
11. You will not be allowed to carry any of your baggage, particularly cell phone-however, there will be a place for you to deposit them safely
12. You are not permitted to eat inside the hall unless you need it medically (ulcer, gastroenteritis etc.)
13. You will be provided water inside the hall
14. Carry a sweater, it could be too chill inside the test hall if you are not used to a/c atmosphere
15. There is no dress code
16. Answer nature calls else you will not get a chance in between. If it is un-manageable you have to enjoy it at the cost of your test time. Of course, you will be escorted
17. The test will be perfectly professional and hi-tech (there can’t be a better way)
18. Your seat will be reserved and marked clearly
19. You will get adequate time to sit and relax
20. They will make sure that the headphones work properly for you. They will replace it if you have problem with yours
21. They will give adequate time for you to tune-up your headphone
22. There will be adequate time given for filling the personal details in the answer sheets
23. The actual test will commence at 1pm, hence even if you are delayed by say 15 minutes don’t panic, you still have time to catch-up
24. Open the question papers only on instruction
25. Deviation from rules is terminal in punishment
26. Feel confident, it is not difficult, even the average students like the narrator have scored decent marks
Best Wishes
Cue Card Topics:
1. Favorite teacher
2. Favorite book
3. Favorite school / college
4. Best friend
5. Favorite place
6. Memorable incident
7. Favorite gift
8. Memorable function / event
9. Our Nation
10. Pets
11. Nature
12. Our culture
13. Science
14. Happiness
15. Education system
16. Religion
17. Hobby
18. Ethics
19. Children
20. Movies / drama
21. Songs
22. Society
23. Charity
24. Success (or failure)
25. History
26. Geography
27. Health
28. Wealth
29. Language
30. Food habits
31. Work culture
[Note: Answer questions like who, what, when, where, why, which, and how as appropriate]
The author is currently working and doing research in BITS, Pilani after spending 18 long years in Industry.
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