Speaking
Do
- Start speaking within a second of the microphone opening.
- Keep a steady, natural pace, like a newsreader.
- Use the preparation time to plan a simple structure.
- Keep going after a small mistake.
- Position the microphone near your chin.
Don't
- Don't stop for 3 seconds. The recording ends.
- Don't restart sentences to fix a word.
- Don't speak too fast to "fit more in".
- Don't recite a memorised template that ignores the image or lecture.
- Don't shout or whisper.
Writing
Do
- Check the word count before moving on.
- Write Summarize Written Text as one sentence with one full stop.
- Plan your essay for 2–3 minutes.
- Use one spelling style throughout.
Don't
- Don't go under 120 or over 380 words in the essay.
- Don't copy whole sentences from the passage.
- Don't use complex grammar you're unsure of.
Reading
Do
- Read around each gap for grammar and collocation clues.
- Find the topic sentence first in Reorder Paragraph.
- Keep moving, because the time is shared across the whole part.
Don't
- Don't tick every option in multiple-answer questions. Wrong ticks cost points.
- Don't spend more than about 2 minutes on one question.
Listening
Do
- Take notes as you listen.
- Save energy for Write from Dictation at the end. It's high value.
- Check spelling in Fill in the Blanks and dictation.
Don't
- Don't click words you're unsure about in Highlight Incorrect Words.
- Don't read long summaries while the audio plays. Listen first.
Before test day
Take at least one full mock test under real conditions, practise with a headset, and read the test day checklist.