Aptis for Teachers: Writing Tests And Model Answers

Part 4: You received this email from the leader of the volunteer organization.
Dear member,
In order to meet the new group requirements, you must complete a compulsory 20 hours of volunteer work in one academic year (September-June). You can spend your time tutoring children or talking to seniors in a retirement home. However, we encourage you to try different things.
If you are looking for new opportunities, please let us know. We have limited positions at a soup kitchen serving the hungry and may be able to arrange a position for you.
Regards,
Mr. Arsenault
Write a short email to your friend (about 50 words). Tell your friend your feelings about this and what you plan to do. You have 10 minutes.

­­ i.e. informal style
Hey Matt,
I’ve just received an email from the volunteer organization that I am involved with. We have to complete 20 hours of volunteer work in different places. I think this is a lot, but they are helping us find new positions. I’m going to contact them for more information.
Speak soon,
Sumandeep
Write an email to the leader of the volunteer organization (about 120-150 words). Tell them your thoughts about this and what you would like to do. You have 20 minutes.
i.e. formal style
Dear Mr. Arsenault,
Thank you for your email.
Although 20 hours of volunteer work seems like a lot, it will be easy to complete in more than one location. Currently, I am helping out once a month at an after-school program for poor children. I opted for this position because it gives me more teaching experience. At the end of the academic year, I will have only completed 10 hours.
For this reason, I am requesting help finding another opportunity. You have mentioned serving food in a kitchen, but I do not think I would be a good fit in this position. I am terrible in the kitchen and very clumsy. Instead, I would prefer to work with children. I think that I am patient and could really make a difference.
Please let me know if you can arrange a position in that field.
Regards,
Sumandeep Kaur
Top 10 Tips For The APTIS Writing Test

Tip 1: Use the right register.
This is the level of formality, friendliness, politeness you use when you write. Knowing and being able to use the correct register when you write (and speak) shows that you can use English well. Using the correct register is more likely to get you the solution you want and so, it is also important for task achievement.
Tip 2: Know the correct spelling.
English spelling is difficult but when you learn the standard phrases, you can also learn the spelling. This will make spelling easier. We will look at other difficult words that occur often later. UK English and USA English sometimes have different spellings. It is not important which one you use but you should be consistent in every question.
Tip 3: Improve your typing speed.
Unless you opt paper-based version, APTIS writing test is computer-based. So the faster you type the better. Just make sure your typing speed isn’t too slow.
Tip 4: Know the word count.
You lose marks if you write too little and waste time if you write too much (it isn’t counted). Therefore, you should know how many words should write and how long you have for each question. Then you can practice them at home. Remember that formal sentences are generally longer than informal sentences.
Tip 5: Read model answers.
Doing this will give you a good idea of what to expect. Think about the things the examiners are looking for and look at how accurate the grammar is. Ask yourself ‘is it cohesive and clear?’ ‘Is the vocabulary wide-ranging or repetitious?’ and ‘is it well planned?’.
Tip 6: Get used to the timings
Make sure that you know how long you have for each part and don’t go over that time. Practice ant home with a timer will stop you from getting any horrible surprises. If you know an APTIS examiner or trainer speak to them and ask them what you need to do to improve.
Tip 7: Check your work
It is easy to lose points for making silly mistakes. Check what you have written. Look at spelling and punctuation. For grammar check- prepositions/dependant prepositions/verb-noun agreement/countable and uncountable/tenses. Remember you can "flag in" option. You can always come back to a question where you had a doubt.
Tip 8: Finish in time
You don’t get any marks for blank spaces, so always write something. Even if you think it’s bad, and you might be surprised, it is better than nothing.
Tip 9: Stay on topic
This is again about answering the question and affects task achievement. If you are asked for an opinion you should give one. If you have to say, for example, why you are applying to join a club. Then you should write about clubs in general.
Tip 10: Practice makes perfect!
Doing practice tests will help you build your concentration levels and your instinct. More than that, practice will improve your English and help you with the timings you need to complete the test with the best result. If you would like to increase your APTIS score by practicing more APTIS tests then please check the exam library in our website here. There you will find largest simulated APTIS test database. Totally free with no registration (we won't even ask for your email).