Key Advice for the Listening section

• EXPOSURE.  You need to listen to as much English as possible every day.  
• Listen to the news, radio programmes and documentaries.
• Read the questions first - you are given time to do this - and try to anticipate what the answer will be.  Are you looking for a date, a credit card number, a piece of clothing?  It will help you to distinguish the key information.
• If you don't hear an answer, forget it and move on.  Otherwise you will miss the next answer too.
• Practise doing Listening tests (Cambridge Practice Tests).  Find the best way for you to get a good score.  
• Check the instructions carefully!  Does the answer have to be one word?  Do you have to choose two letters for one answer?
• Spelling counts.  Widespread reading will improve your spelling.
• They will not use the same word on the audio as in the question booklet.  Look for synonyms.
• Don't be too quick to write the answer.  The test often tries to 'trick' you by saying the wrong answer first. For example, "The cost is £40, oh no sorry, it's gone up to £50."  Those who write £40 just because they hear it will get it wrong.  Be careful!
• Use abbreviations on the question booklet while you're listening to be quicker, for example 'uni' for 'university' or 'Sep' for 'September'.  Write the full answers on the answer sheet.