How best to prepare for clearing IELTS and TOEFL tests?
Author: DR.N.V. Srinivasa Rao Post Date: 28 May 2024
Introduction
These days we see many students targeting to go abroad for studies. The chances of getting their dream job will be enhanced by obtaining a degree from a reputed international institute abroad. There may be many requirements for students to get seats in such institutes. One such requirement may be fluency in English. To confirm your fluency many institutes ask for your score in IELTS/ TOEFL. So a student should concentrate in any of these two examinations and get a maximum score. Many institutes abroad will exempt writing English proficiency tests conducted by them if the student clears IELTS/TOEFL with a good score.About IELTS
International English Language Testing System (IELTS), is a very popular English proficiency test. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, etc., are some countries that ask for scores in this test to sanction a VISA. This test will be in four parts. Reading, speaking, writing and listening are the sections in this test. One can attend this test online or offline. The duration of the test is about 2 hours 45 minutes. The scores will be given from 0 to 9. There is nothing like passing or failing the IELTS test. The scores obtained are valid for 2 years. 0 indicates that the candidate is absent for the exam and 9 indicates that the candidate is an expert in the English language. The average score to get a visa is 5. There are some countries like the UK, which will not ask for scores in this examination for the candidates who cleared high school English with more than 70% marks.About TOFEL
Test of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL) is also a famous English proficiency test like IELTS. This test will also consist of four sections reading, writing, listening, and speaking. TOEFL score is accepted by many universities across the globe. The duration of the test is between 2 hours to 2.5 hours. ranges between 0-120. The validity of the score is for 2 years. There are two options of TOEFL exams available TOEFL iBT (TOEFL internet-based test) and TOEFL PBT (paper-based test).Tips for getting better scores
- Plan your preparation well in advance. Make a plan of study and follow the same. Start early so that you can have your scorecard ready for travelling abroad. A minimum of 80 days or 9 weeks is necessary to prepare well for the examination. A timetable can be made by giving different time slots to practice different sections of the test.
- Try to understand the test format. As already mentioned the test will have four sections. So you should prepare well for scoring in all the sections. To crack English proficiency exams, one should get familiarised with the test type, the format, and the type of questions.
- Have a target score. Different institutions will ask for different scores in different countries. So every candidate will have a target score and think of achieving that targeted score.
- Concentrate on each skill and allot time for each skill every day. Instead of giving enhanced timings, it is better to have small time slots with a break between slots for a few minutes.
- Attend as many mock tests as possible. This will give you a better understanding of time planning when you face the examination. This will also help you to understand the questions that may be asked in each skill and you can find out your weaknesses and concentrate more on those weaknesses.
- Talk to some known persons who recently attended these tests and get their advice for the preparation. While studying you may get some doubts. The same can be clarified through your English teacher in the school or any other English expert known to you.
- Practice typing on your laptop or computer so that you can type fast when you are attending the examination. To improve your English skills you should hear and note the points you heard to answer the questions asked.
- You will get some good videos on YouTube and see those videos which will make you more familiar with spoken English and make you an expert speaker.
Conclusion
These two examinations mentioned are useful for a student going abroad to get a Visa as well as to adjust well to the institute he/ she is going to join.Author: Sheo Shankar Jha Post Date: 03 Jun 2024
Both the tests IELTS & TOEFL are not as easy as they appear at first glance. It is always advisable for the aspirants to get themselves inducted into a well-reputed institution for their guidance. However, the first and foremost requirement is consistency in the course of preparation if they could get guidance from a well-experienced mentor or an established coaching institution.
Some of the tips which would be helpful to the candidates if they follow their preparations systematically are indicated below -
1) They should enhance their Vocabulary skills-
Cramming the words through a dictionary or some standard guidebook is not the solution since it would appear a monotonous job and the candidates will lack confidence level despite their continuous practice in such a mode. There are flashcard apparatuses like the Magoosh apps where they can get details of preparations for SAT, GRE & TOEFL. The other effective way is to have a Dragon Naturally Speaking Tool Menu (a software) where the aspirants need to click the naturally speaking app, select the Advanced tab and ultimately click the Vocabulary Window. The Vocabulary Builder has a wide range of words to be taken up for practice.
2) Improvement in note-taking skills-
In both tests, there are sections which will help the candidates to test their ability to make their oral English clear. The candidates have to pay full attention to the dictation and should take note of the questions indicated in the TOEFL test. The candidates should go through the tips and apply the same in their note-taking sessions. Patience in hearing the lecture would develop their note-taking skills.
3) Increase proficiency in typing skills- This test comprises two components, namely the writing section including the integrated assignment of a draft of approximately 300 + words, and secondly, a draft containing words between 150 and 225 words on a prompt.
Both the tests IELTS & TOEFL are not as easy as they appear at first glance. It is always advisable for the aspirants to get themselves inducted into a well-reputed institution for their guidance. However, the first and foremost requirement is consistency in the course of preparation if they could get guidance from a well-experienced mentor or an established coaching institution.
Some of the tips which would be helpful to the candidates if they follow their preparations systematically are indicated below -
1) They should enhance their Vocabulary skills-
Cramming the words through a dictionary or some standard guidebook is not the solution since it would appear a monotonous job and the candidates will lack confidence level despite their continuous practice in such a mode. There are flashcard apparatuses like the Magoosh apps where they can get details of preparations for SAT, GRE & TOEFL. The other effective way is to have a Dragon Naturally Speaking Tool Menu (a software) where the aspirants need to click the naturally speaking app, select the Advanced tab and ultimately click the Vocabulary Window. The Vocabulary Builder has a wide range of words to be taken up for practice.
2) Improvement in note-taking skills-
In both tests, there are sections which will help the candidates to test their ability to make their oral English clear. The candidates have to pay full attention to the dictation and should take note of the questions indicated in the TOEFL test. The candidates should go through the tips and apply the same in their note-taking sessions. Patience in hearing the lecture would develop their note-taking skills.
3) Increase proficiency in typing skills- This test comprises two components, namely the writing section including the integrated assignment of a draft of approximately 300 + words, and secondly, a draft containing words between 150 and 225 words on a prompt.
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