Aptis reading Test: General Tips and Strategies

Tips and Strategy for APTIS listening
Use given example:
In the listening APTIS listening test, use the example at the beginning of the 
section to help you understand who is talking and where they are. 
Read the questions before listening: 
You have the opportunity to read the questions before 
listening to the recording. Take advantage of this! 
Read the questions carefully: 
Make sure that you read the questions carefully and understand 
what you have to do. 
Focus on Understanding Audio:
A common mistake that candidates make, particularly in the 
completion questions, is that they do not concentrate on the audio. If you don’t listen to everything 
the speaker is saying, you will miss information that will help you answer the question correctly. 
You can improve your concentration by firstly, listening to short pieces of audio and over time 
increasing the length of listening. 
Watch out words-indicators:
Listen for words-indicators, such as however, but, then, finally. 
They help you to anticipate what the speaker will say. 

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Listen for word indicators:
These are often sequencing words like- firstly, next, finally or 
linking words. For example, however, although and despite will tell you there is a contrast in the 
sentence. Furthermore, additionally and moreover will indicate that there is some extra information. 
Watch for synonyms:
To test your vocabulary it is likely that the word or expression in the 
question will not be the same in the audio. Think about the keywords in the question and how they 
may be said in another way. 
"Plug in" the situation:
Try to get an idea or feel of the situation. Before each part, you will hear 
a short introduction: Now, you will hear a dialogue between…’ or ‘You will hear a lecture on…’ 
This information is not on the question paper. Listen carefully and ask yourself: Who are the 
speakers and what are they going to talk about in this situation. Decide which speaker is going to 
give you the information to answer the question (often there is a woman and a man, and that will 
help). 
Keep listening
until the recording stops, looking only at the questions that relate to the part being 
played: Don’t look ahead to the next questions until you are happy that the answers you gave are 
correct. Try to ‘rerun’ the conversation relating to the questions in your head.