Because of the new integrated questions, 3 out of 4 iBT sections now contain listening components. So it’s extremely important to develop your listening note-taking skills. Here are some excellent tips:
1. Take notes! You’re allowed to on the new iBT. In fact, if you do not, you will have a very difficult time getting a high score.
2. Keep it brief. If you take too many notes, you won’t be able to concentrate on the main idea. Focus on the main idea and major details from the listening — try to distinguish main points from minor ones.
3. Keep track of the speaker. Outlining who said what will help you find the information quicker.
4. Use a numbering system to organize the main ideas in lectures.
5. Messy is OK. You’re not judged on the beauty of your handwriting — as long as you can read your notes, they’re fine
6. No full sentences! Point form only!
7. Use short forms to save time. Here are a few — try also making up your own:
á increased, increasing, goes up, rises
â decreased, decreasing, lowering
à leads to, causes
+ plus, in addition, and, also
@ at
/ per
? question
= equal to, is
≠ not equal, is not
~ about, approximately
X times
> greater than
< less than
$ money, cost, price
.·. therefore
# number
2 to, two, too
w/ with (something)
w/o without
e.g. for example
b/c because
B4 before
re: regarding, about
esp. especially
gov’t. government
diff difference
adv. advantages
dis. disadvantages
