Exam tip: listening when it plays once

1. Read before you listen. Use the seconds before the clip: read the question and the three options. Ask yourself: am I listening for a time, a place, a reason or an action?

2. Predict. If the options are three times, you only need to hear numbers. If the question asks "Waarom…?", listen for omdat, want, daarom or dus.

3. Listen to the end. The answer often comes after a change: maar, nee, toch, sorry, eigenlijk, in plaats van. "De trein vertrekt niet van spoor 5, maar van spoor 8": the answer is 8.

4. Use the picture. In a video you see where people are (a counter, a classroom, a shop) and how they feel. That helps with "Waar zijn ze?" and "Hoe vindt hij het?" questions.

5. Note numbers quickly. You may write on scrap paper if the exam provides it; otherwise keep the number in your head and choose straight away.

6. Never leave an answer empty. Did you miss it? Cross out what you know is wrong and choose. The next clip starts soon, and it is a new chance.

Component: Luisteren. Task type: short conversations, messages, announcements and instructions (video and audio), multiple choice.

• Real task: on the computer, 45 minutes, about 25 multiple-choice questions. You see the question, then watch a short video or hear an audio fragment (conversations, voicemails, announcements, messages from school or work), then choose the answer.
• What the questions ask: times, dates, places, prices, who does what, why something happens, and what the listener must do next.

Most common mistakes

1. Not reading the question and the options before the clip starts, so you don't know what to listen for.
2. Choosing the first time or place you hear. Speakers often change it: "Om drie uur… nee, sorry, om half vier."
3. Choosing an option because you heard one of its words (the word-match trap).
4. Mixing up Dutch times: half acht = 7.30, kwart over twee = 14.15, kwart voor drie = 14.45.
5. Panicking at an unknown word and missing the rest. One word is rarely the answer.