APTIS Advanced: Writing Tests, Model Answers and Tips

In this article, we will provide you with writing sample questions, model answers, and general tips to prepare for APTIS Advanced.

What is the APTIS Advanced?

APTIS Advanced is a language proficiency test designed by the British Council that follows a similar format to the APTIS General Test. Like the general version, it is a computer-based test that analyzes an individual’s Grammar and Vocabulary, as well as his/her Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. There are several tasks within each component and each section has a specified assigned time limit. In total, the test lasts about 2 hours and 50 minutes.

APTIS Advanced Reading Test is separated into four parts. Each part becomes harder, so that part 1 is the easiest, while part 4 is the hardest. You are given 60 minutes in APTIS Advanced

If you would like to access simulated APTIS advanced tests, then please follow the link here.

For further details please visit the British Council website here.

APTIS Advanced: Writing Practice Test #1

Part 1: You are a member of the science club and you are speaking to three other members of in a group chat. Respond to them in full sentences (30-40 words per answer). You have 10 minutes.

Martin: Hey! Welcome to the group. I got into science when I was in high school, so I decided to become an engineer. What about you?

________________________________________________________________

Jorge: Welcome! Can you tell me about any experiments you have done before?

________________________________________________________________

Bea: Who is your favourite scientist or inventor? Why?
________________________________________________________________

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Part 2: You received this email from a local café. Read the email and the notes you have made. Write a reply (120-150 words) using your notes, and express how you feel about the situation.

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your continued patronage at our café. We are always looking for ways to improve your experience! We would love to know more about your visit today. How fast were you served? (1) It would be great to know whether you found our staff helpful or not. Did they answer all of your questions with a smile? (2) Lastly, what did you think of our new patio? Did you have a chance to enjoy it? (3) We would love to hear your thoughts!

Yours faithfully,

Krave Café Staff

NOTES:

1. Slow service - made me late for work

2. Friendly staff – but too talkative

3. Patio looked beautiful – but it was raining

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Part 3: Shopaholics Anonymous! is a website that publishes short articles submitted by the public on general interest topics. You have been asked to write an article about Online Shopping. You have done some research on this topic in note form. Using your notes, write an informative and attention-grabbing article for publication (180-220 words).

NOTES:

- More products to choose from

- Can find deals and use coupon codes

-Pros: convenience / no lines or crowds

-Cons: cannot physically inspect item/ have to pay to return

Price comparisons

Product Type	Avg Price in person	Avg Price online	+/- Overall
Books	$15/book shop	$5 on Amazon	+ Cheaper and bigger selection online
Groceries	$100 for the weekly shop	$150 for the weekly shop	- More convenient/ but can’t guarantee freshness of products
Clothes	$80	$80 (many % off deals)	-/+ Save money/ but can’t try on

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If you would like to access more simulated APTIS writing tests then please visit our exam library here.

APTIS Advanced: Example Answer To Practice Tests #1

Part 1: You are a member of the science club and you are speaking to three other members of in a group chat. Respond to them in full sentences (30-40 words per answer). You have 10 minutes.

Martin: Hey! Welcome to the group. I got into science when I was in high school, so I decided to become an engineer. What about you?

Hi Martin! I started watching scientific TV programs when I was a little kid. I remember rushing home from school every day to catch the episode from start to finish.

Jorge: Welcome! Can you tell me about any experiments you have done before?

I am actually not so keen on experiments as I am on building things. I could say my specialty is making models of cars and modifying them to different velocities. I prefer physics to chemical science.

Bea: Who is your favourite scientist or inventor? Why?

I think my favourite inventor would have to be Johannes Gutenberg. I know this isn’t a typical answer for a science buff like myself, but without him, we wouldn’t have mass-produced texts that help to spread knowledge.

Part 2: You received this email from a local café. Read the email and the notes you have made. Write a reply (120-150 words) using your notes, and express how you feel about the situation.

Dear Customer,

Yours faithfully,

Krave Café Staff

NOTES:

1. Slow service - made me late for work

2. Friendly staff – but too talkative

3. Patio looked beautiful – but it was raining

Dear Krave Café Staff,

Thanks for reaching out!

While I normally love visiting your café, I have to admit I was quite underwhelmed by my experience there the last time I went. For starters, the service was incredibly slow. I think it took about 10 minutes to get my latte. I know that is not a long time to wait, but it made me late for work. I think it may have been because your barista was overly chatty with each customer. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to be friendly. However, people have places to be in the morning!

On my way out, I noticed how lovely the new patio looked. Had I not been running late, or if it were not raining, I would have loved to have my coffee there.

Let me know if you have any questions about my comments.

Best regards,

Sumit

Part 3: Shopaholics Anonymous! is a website that publishes short articles submitted by the public on general interest topics. You have been asked to write an article about Online Shopping. You have done some research on this topic in note form. Using your notes, write an informative and attention-grabbing article for publication (180-220 words).

NOTES:

- More products to choose from

- Can find deals and use coupon codes

-Pros: convenience / no lines or crowds

-Cons: cannot physically inspect item/ have to pay to return

Price comparisons

Product Type	Avg Price in person	Avg Price online	+/- Overall
Books	$15/book shop	$5 on Amazon	+ Cheaper and bigger selection online
Groceries	$100 for the weekly shop	$150 for the weekly shop	- More convenient/ but can’t guarantee freshness of products
Clothes	$80	$80 (many % off deals)	-/+ Save money/ but can’t try on

i.e.

If you could only shop one way for the rest of your life, how would you choose to do so?

For me and many others, online shopping has become a life-changing component of our existence. Let’s consider the abundance that is found online. I can find any book I have ever wanted for a third of the price online. What’s more is that I don’t have to fight for a parking spot in a busy lot or stand in a long line to purchase it. The savings extend to clothes too. When my son was a baby, we constantly had to buy clothes because of how fast he was growing. By shopping online, I single-handedly saved my family some serious cash by finding bargains and coupon codes online.

However, not all that glitters is gold. There were some serious fails in the clothing department. I may have saved a percentage of the cost, but many of the clothes didn’t fit right. It would have been so much better if I were able to inspect the items before purchasing them as I had to pay to return them! I also once tried to order groceries online, but ended up spending much more on fruit and veg that weren’t the freshest.

In a nutshell, shopping online can be more convenient and cost-efficient, but it depends on what you buy!

Top 10 Tips For The APTIS Writing Test

Tip 1: Use the right register

This is the level of formality, friendliness, politeness you use when you write. Knowing and being able to use the correct register when you write (and speak) shows that you can use English well. Using the correct register is more likely to get you the solution you want and so, it is also important for task achievement.

Tip 2: Know the correct spelling

English spelling is difficult but when you learn the standard phrases, you can also learn the spelling. This will make spelling easier. We will look at other difficult words that occur often later. UK English and USA English sometimes have different spellings. It is not important which one you use but you should be consistent in every question.

Tip 3: Improve your typing speed

Unless you opt paper-based version, APTIS writing test is computer-based. So the faster you type the better. Just make sure your typing speed isn’t too slow.

Tip 4: Know the word count

You lose marks if you write too little and waste time if you write too much (it isn’t counted). Therefore, you should know how many words should write and how long you have for each question. Then you can practice them at home. Remember that formal sentences are generally longer than informal sentences.

Tip 5: Read model answers

Doing this will give you a good idea of what to expect. Think about the things the examiners are looking for and look at how accurate the grammar is. Ask yourself ‘is it cohesive and clear?’ ‘Is the vocabulary wide-ranging or repetitious?’ and ‘is it well planned?’.

Tip 6: Get used to the timings

Make sure that you know how long you have for each part and don’t go over that time. Practice ant home with a timer will stop you from getting any horrible surprises. If you know an APTIS examiner or trainer speak to them and ask them what you need to do to improve.

Tip 7: Check your work

It is easy to lose points for making silly mistakes. Check what you have written. Look at spelling and punctuation. For grammar check- prepositions/dependant prepositions/verb-noun agreement/countable and uncountable/tenses. Remember you can "flag in" option. You can always come back to a question where you had a doubt.

Tip 8: Finish in time

You don’t get any marks for blank spaces, so always write something. Even if you think it’s bad, and you might be surprised, it is better than nothing.

Tip 9: Stay on topic

This is again about answering the question and affects task achievement. If you are asked for an opinion you should give one. If you have to say, for example, why you are applying to join a club. Then you should write about clubs in general.

Tip 10: Practice makes perfect!

Doing practice tests will help you build your concentration levels and your instinct. More than that, practice will improve your English and help you with the timings you need to complete the test with the best result. If you would like to increase your APTIS score by practicing more APTIS tests then please check the exam library in our website here. There you will find largest simulated APTIS test database. Totally free with no registration (we won't even ask for your email).