Welcome! Check out our free B-School Guides to learn how you compare with other applicants.
Login or Register

BTGMAT Comes To The Rescue!

This topic has 3 member replies
Bookmark
Previous Topic Next Topic
freeatlast Just gettin' started! Default Avatar
Joined
04 Jan 2011
Posted:
4 messages
Test Date:
N/A
Target GMAT Score:
800
GMAT Score:
N/A
BTGMAT Comes To The Rescue! Post Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:43 am
Hi guys. I have been preparing for the Toefl test and of course this forum has been my great inspiration. Still, i'm having trouble with my listening-taking note ability, both in the Listening and Speaking section. Since i'm not a native english speaker, nor am i studying in an education that emphasizes on note taking techniques, this specific skill of mine is terrible. Recently, i've tried to stop taking notes and instead just listen, understand and visualize the conversation or lecture in order to remember it. Though it works pretty well for me, it also gives me a feeling of uncertainty and i'm afraid i can't use it effectively under the pressure of the real test. So it would be very nice if you guys can give me some advices and suggestions on how to improve my note taking skill.

Need free GMAT or MBA advice from an expert? Register for Beat The GMAT now and post your question in these forums!
DanaJ Site Admin
Joined
01 Jan 2009
Posted:
2564 messages
Followed by:
298 members
Thanked:
520 times
GMAT Score:
770
Post Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:44 am
I personally do take some notes during the listening section, but will usually use arrows or abbreviations (I just make them on the spot) for stuff. I think it's much quicker this way, honestly. Here's an example. If you listen to a conversation between Harry and Sally and Sally is complaining that setting up the new sewage system has caused a great deal of disruption in the neighborhood and that people are complaining about it, you can just write down:

S: sewage sys ---> complaints

S is a nice way to avoid writing down "Sally" and you can use the arrows to indicate an effect.

Other than that, don't take too many notes! Or at least if you do, try to keep them tidy. There's nothing worse than having to sift through messy notes, you'll be confused more than anything.

Good luck!

Thanked by: freeatlast
freeatlast Just gettin' started! Default Avatar
Joined
04 Jan 2011
Posted:
4 messages
Test Date:
N/A
Target GMAT Score:
800
GMAT Score:
N/A
Post Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:49 am
Really thank u Dana J. A little bit weird (and delightful) to have a reply so soon since the clock says it's 3 am ^.^

DanaJ Site Admin
Joined
01 Jan 2009
Posted:
2564 messages
Followed by:
298 members
Thanked:
520 times
GMAT Score:
770
Post Tue Jan 04, 2011 4:05 am
Hehe not where I'm at Smile It's 2 p.m. here!

You should know that BTG has members from all over the world!

Best Conversation Starters
1 GmatKiss 152 topics
2 karthikpandian19 68 topics
3 fangtray 66 topics
4 ronnie1985 36 topics
5 amit.trivedi@ymai... 34 topics
See More Top Beat The GMAT Members...

Most Active Experts
1 image description Bill@VeritasPrep

Veritas Prep

 294 posts
2 image description GMATGuruNY

The Princeton Review Teacher

 202 posts
3 image description Anurag@Gurome

Gurome

 121 posts
4 image description Stuart Kovinsky

Kaplan GMAT Teacher

 90 posts
5 image description Jon@PrecisionEssay

Precision Essay

 80 posts
See More Top Beat The GMAT Experts