5 Tips and Tricks to Ace the IELTS/TOEFL Examination for Education Abroad.

June 2021

With the dawn of new age courses and technological advancements across industries, students who wish to be up to date with these advancements, choose to study abroad to build their professional profiles and have internationally recognised qualifications under their belt.

The process of overseas education has various requirements that have to be adhered to or fulfilled in order to qualify for courses abroad. One such requirement is the English Proficiency Test. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the popularly opted for tests across the globe.

Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure that you score well in the English Proficiency Tests:

The first step towards acing these tests of proficiency is to understand the structure of the test. While both tests aim at a common goal, their administration is slightly different.

The structure of the TOEFL consists of Reading (36-70 questions, 60-100 minutes), Listening (34-51 questions, 60-90 minutes), Speaking (6 tasks. 20 minutes), and Writing (2 tasks, 50 minutes). The entirety of the test takes about four hours to complete.

On the other hand, the structure of the IELTS consists of Listening (40 questions, 30 minutes), Reading (40 questions, 60 minutes), and Writing (2 tasks, 60 minutes). The Speaking tests consists of three parts (11-14 minutes, and usually takes about two hours and 45 minutes to complete.

Create a study plan for preparation

The key to success in Proficiency Tests is preparation. Being prepared before the test is imperative. As the tests evaluate one's English skills, students must create a study plan to cover as much syllabus to succeed at the test.

Tackle each section individually and build your skill set in that particular vertical. To prepare for the writing section, as there is a time constraint on this section, students are encouraged to practice timed writing. This will help increase writing speed within a timeframe.

To be prepared for the Speaking and Reading sections, practice speaking English alone. By doing so, students listen to themselves and can find ways to improve the portions that need attention. Students may also interact with native English speakers to build their vocabulary and conversational skills.

Aim at a score

Courses abroad have specific criteria for English Proficiency that needs to be fulfilled to be eligible for admission. The criterion differs among universities and courses. Students should set their target score in mind and work towards achieving that score.

TOEFL scores are awarded based on the level of performance achieved. Each test section has about 4 or 5 proficiency levels.

1. Reading and Listening: High (30-22), Intermediate (21-15), Low (14-0)

2. Speaking: Good (30-26), Fair (25-18), Limited (17-10), Weak (9-0)?

3. Writing: Good (30-24), Fair (23-17), Limited (16-1)

As for IELTS, the sections are graded cumulatively and the overall scores range between 1-9, where each scale is correlative to a specified competency in English:

1 = Non-user, 5 = Modest User, 7 = Good User, 9 = Expert User.

Practice using mock tests

Practice makes perfect. Students are encouraged to use mock tests to sharpen their English skills as they prepare to appear for the examinations. Practicing activities like Timed Writing, reviewing written grammar etc. from study guides will help measure progress as well. Using these guides, one can analyse mistakes and work towards becoming better. After a few weeks, the student may take another mock test and then compare both the scores to check for improvements.

Join Edwise's coaching classes

Edwise has an exclusive coaching division for English Proficiency Tests that trains and helps students prepare for their tests. Over a month, students are equipped with the right skillsets that are engineered for success and help students get a better score.

For further assistance or queries students can contact us, Edwise International, and avail for our wide range of services for students on destinations like Universities in UK, study in USA, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in New-Zealand, Study in Ireland, study in Singapore and many other countries.

IELTS and TOFEL Preparation to Study in Abroad