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It’s understandable why a language test is necessary to claim permanent residency in a country. How can somebody be allowed to stay when they don’t even know how to communicate with the locals?
One of those tests is the NAATI and adding five points to your Australia Permanent Residency, it is something that is hard to ignore the test & its prep. You can have other reasons for taking the test, but regardless of what that is, one thing is for sure, you have to prepare for it.
The test only lasts for half an hour and is about conveying the meaning of a conversation between English and a different language. So, it is a lot easier compared to other types of language tests. Most people would even say that it takes less than 15 days of preparation to guarantee a pass on the test.
However, don’t be too relaxed just yet. While everybody is saying that it is easy, it still boils down to how you prepare for it. So, if you want to be one of those who found the test a walk in the park, remember these strategies and tips.
Understand How You Can Fail
Stop for a moment and think about how you can fail the test. You are so worked up in trying to pass, you forget to look at a different and easier strategy.
Passing means that you need to look out for everything that can possibly benefit you. Looking out for failure is a lot more straight forward and easier. You just need to remember what can make you lose points.
That is what’s great about the NAATI test, it follows a deductive marking system. It doesn’t count how many things you did right, but rather, what you did wrong. So, you are starting with a perfect score, you just need to keep it that way and it really isn’t that hard.
To prevent receiving deductions, you need to interpret the conversation without any distortion. That includes not omitting any details, adding your own message, or creating any grammatical errors. Another important thing to remember is to be fluent at all times because even that will gain you demerits.
Speak Naturally
In your effort to increase your chances of passing, you tend to emphasize on your pronunciation or even fluency by speaking fast. However, what your test will be looking out for is how natural and understandable you are.
So, don’t be too caught up with trying to please. Instead, put all your attention on interpreting the conversation in the best way you can in the most natural manner possible. That’s why this test is easier to pass because you don’t have to adhere to a strict standard of speaking. So, don’t over complicate things and make it harder than it should.
Practice Listening Actively
Improve your listening skills because that will not just help you with NAATI but also in everything in life. Effective listening is not something everyone has. Always remember the intention of this test and that is your capability to interpret conversations. It is not about how many words you know or how great you are at creating sentences. So, put all your attention on listening and understanding.
Don’t just listen to what is being said, internalize the context of the message and the motivation of the speaker. Because you will be able to accurately interpret the conversation, instead of adding your own twist to the story.
Remember, it is easy to get carried away when all that you are doing is hearing the words being said. You don’t realize it, but you tend to add your own details and interpretation. The more you practice active listening, the easier it is to stay away from this mistake.
Take Notes
They say that writing something is equivalent to repeating it ten times, so it is easier to remember. Not only that, taking notes makes sure that you have a bank of all the things that you deemed important to come back to.
There are going to be things that you are going to have difficulty mastering. Keeping a list close will ensure that you can go back to that and repeatedly review them until mastery.
Take notes every opportunity you get. Watching a YouTube video? Television? Radio? Or listening to a conversation? Write down everything that is new to you or needs more studying. Remember, there is no way to anticipate all the types of conversations you will be facing in the NAATI test, so being well-versed on a wide array is the best strategy.
Pass the Test with Flying Colors
While most would say that the test is easy, at the end of the day, that is all up to you. Don’t get too carried away with what people are saying and concentrate on your strategies.
No matter how easy it can be, it will always be difficult for the unprepared. With these strategies and tips, it makes sure to increase your chances of passing. Either it gives you an idea what to anticipate or better improves your conversation skills unlike any other.