How do I best approach translation in the .MLAT and how do I prepare for it?

Method of translation:1.) First, it is key to grasp the meaning of the sentence - instead of looking at the words individually, look at them as a coherent string 2.) If you don't understand a word (or more), try and guess - fill in the gaps by looking at the context provided by the rest of the sentence. If you only recognise the root of a word, try and think of all the possible combinations with that root that fit into the context.3.) Make it sound native! When it comes to the actual translation, think about how a native speaker of the language would express the meaning carried by the string of words in the sentence. Don't be afraid to change the word order in the sentence - this is often a vital part of the translation, since German and English have differences in their grammatical structures.
Method of preparation:It is easy to say "Make it sound native," but how can I actually achieve that?The only way is through practise. Read as much as you can in German, covering an array of topics, and, if you have the opportunity, talk to native speakers (I could provide that opportunity). Do some parallel reading, which means reading the same text in both languages. Practise synonyms!Finally, do all past papers you have access to.