Your English exam day is drawing nearer and nearer. You’ll almost always be tested on four different abilities, in addition to your command of grammar and vocabulary. Where do you even begin, then?
With these 10 exam preparation techniques, you can get ready to ace any English language test, whether you’re taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or another one.
1. Recognize the format and substance of the exam
The primary English examinations are divided into the same various competence (speaking, listening, reading, and writing). By researching the typical exam questions for these competencies in advance, as well as the time allotted for each question, you can avoid unpleasant surprises.
Prior to the day of the exam, you should also plan the logistics, including:
1 – The minute particulars of the exam, including how frequently you will listen to test recordings (if there are any test recordings at all) or the kinds of subjects you will write about
2 – Where the exam facility is or if you can take it online (if that’s what you prefer)
3 – What you may bring on test day to the testing location.
2. Concentrate on your shortcomings
Before you start studying for your English exam, consider your areas of greatest weakness.
In an English language exam, the four language skills are often weighted equally, so you shouldn’t focus too much on those in which you are already proficient. Spend more time addressing your areas of weakness.
If you’ve previously taken a test of a similar nature, thoroughly review it and make notes on your mistakes. Alternatively, you can immediately take an exam preparation test to determine your present ability level. In either case, you will discover which of the four skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—you perform the lowest.
Due in large part to the requirement that you react to information that you hear just once, many students believe that hearing is the most difficult portion of the TOEFL exam.
Working on listening exercises with a professional who specializes in English exams can undoubtedly help you get ready.
3. Create a schedule for practical study
The feeling of “I should have prepared better for this!” when cramming at the last minute for an exam is the worst. Create a study schedule right away if you don’t already have one.
Take a journal, an Excel spreadsheet, or even a large piece of paper that you can hang on your wall and decorate with post-its.
List the days you have left by counting backward from the day of your exam. Use your time carefully, concentrate on your areas of weakness, and aim to complete two or three sessions per day.
The best workday consists of 52 minutes of work followed by a 17-minute break, according to a study.
A study plan divides a mountain of intimidating information into smaller, more digestible portions, so you won’t worry that you missed anything.
Additionally, there is nothing more fulfilling than completing tasks on your to-do list.
4. Use a tutor to get ready quicker
The remaining study strategies in this post are all free, but before your exam, investing in a package of private online sessions works wonders. The most effective technique to improve your performance before a test is with a one-on-one teacher.
There are many tutors who specialize in English language exams. These instructors are completely aware of what it takes to achieve because they have successfully guided students just like you through the Top English exam preparation.
They will be able to assist you in creating your strategy, offer resources, help you focus on the areas where you need to improve, and, if necessary, give you 1-on-1 classes to improve your speaking abilities.
You can check out each tutor’s ratings and reviews to determine if they meet your needs and how they have benefited students just like you.
5. Increase vocabulary
You need to demonstrate an outstanding range of vocabulary in order to succeed in Online English exam preparation. Flashcards are a tried-and-true method for learning new words by repeatedly drilling them into your brain.
Make your own by writing the word, the definition, and an illustration on opposite sides of a piece of paper. After that, put your memory of the definition and example to the test.
6. Create a daily English journal
The benefits of keeping a regular notebook extend beyond mental health. Additionally, it’s an excellent approach to improving your sentence-building skills.
A wonderful activity to improve your ability to think and produce words rapidly in your target language is journal writing. Additionally, you’ll see which crucial, often used words are lacking in your vocabulary. In order to memorize them later, you may then look them up and add them to your flashcard program.
7. Regularly practice speaking
The conversation is the best “hack” towards language fluency there is. Real-world communication has a way of boosting your language proficiency quickly because you have to think quickly about the proper terminology to use, you practice listening, and you get immediate feedback.
According to a University of Wisconsin-Madison study, students who practice speaking have better language skills than those who exclusively learn through comprehension exercises.
This is probably due to the fact that human-to-human experiences with associated emotions are given priority in our memories. Flashcards and other study tools are helpful, but having a live conversation allows you to use all of the words and phrases you’ve been practicing.
8. Read everything you can
Read as much English-language content as you can. Reading is a great approach to learning a language at your own pace while also being entertaining and intriguing. not just in terms of English, but also in terms of other topics!
This is considered one of the best exam preparation tips for a student.
Make a mess of your books and texts as you read without fear. Notes, explanations, and translations should be recorded. This will make it easier for you to identify common terms and see how they are employed in expressions and real-world phrases.
9. Remember to listen!
You have two options for honing your listening abilities: active listening or passive listening. Giving a podcast, YouTube video, or movie your undivided attention and taking notes while you listen is known as active listening.
When speaking with an English tutor or language exchange partner, you can practice active listening and take notes whenever you pick up a new word or notice any gaps in your vocabulary.
10. Take a test practice
As we mentioned in our first piece of advice, you should become familiar with the exam’s subject matter and the kinds of responses that the examiners are looking for. However, simply “knowing” what will help you achieve the best score is insufficient. You must apply this to your own life.
Fortunately, you may find study materials and official sample exams for any of the exams online. Once you’ve downloaded the official TOEFL, IELTS, or other pertinent practice exams, find a quiet place to sit, set your phone to a timer, and start putting what you’ve learned into practice.
So there are some of the best english exam preparation help one can follow in their life.
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