Top Tips for the Reading and Audio Texts

  1. Pre-read title and introduction to make predictions.By doing this, you will get a sneak peek at the content and should be able to make predictions about the passage.
  2. Read questions ahead of time. As soon as you are instructed to turn the page, start absorbing information. You do not need to listen to instructions; you know them already! Jot down key words next to questions. Make note of what they are asking. Remember, the most common types of questions are goal (le but), cultural connection, comprehension, register, definition, and tone.
  3. Underline key sentences. By doing this, you can connect the passage to the questions. This will help you to not re-read the entire text. You do not have time for that.
  4. Take notes for the audio selection on the questions page. It is illogical to take the notes on the back of a page because then you will have to flip back and forth. Try to take notes that will help you answer the questions that you pre-read.
  5. Visualize. Visualize main events, characters and settings. Close your eyes and imagine that you can see the person. Only write down notes that will help you answer the questions.
  6. Don’t leave answers blank. You only get credit for questions that you answer correctly. Points are NOT deducted for incorrect answers or unanswered questions. Guessing is an art so perfect your skills. Answer the easiest questions first. Remember, most questions follow the order of the passage. Use the process of elimination.
  7. Tricks for guessing
  8. Look for synonyms in answers – Often the answer is not the exact word or phrase from the passage but will be a synonym from the reading
  9. Watch out for exclusive answers – answers that contain the words always or never are dangerous and they are typically not correct. Be alert if you see toujours or jamais. If the text does not explicitly state these frequencies, those are likely trick answers.
  10. Don’t pick the most complicated answer –As language learners, we are impressed by complicated answers. The test writers know this and they will include complicated answers to trick you. Don’t pick an answer simply because you do not know what it means.
  11. Know the test instructions by heart. You can squeak out a few extra moments to focus on answering the questions if you don’t read the instructions. Do not waste a valuable 60 seconds reading something that you already know.
  12. Answer passage specific questions first. You have a few minutes to preview the questions and read the passage before the audio selection is played. DON’T start with the passage; start with the questions. Speed-read them and identify those that can be answered with only the passage. Write #1 next to the questions so you know that they are in Source 1. If you have time to answer them before the audio, go ahead!
  13. Refocus during the pause between the readings. During the reading, you will be frantically taking notes and visualizing. It is important to use the 60 seconds between readings to your best advantage. Refocus on the questions and re-read unanswered questions. Focus your listening skills to answer the remaining questions.
  14. Don’t panic. It is easy to forget that when the audio ends, there is still time left to answer the questions. You have an additional 15 seconds per question.