Preparing for the IELTS & TOEFL: A Guide for International Students

The Journey Abroad

The journey of overseas education is not an easy one. When you consider the chance of foreign yet practical education, there is a list of challenges that are always there. From finding the perfect course, university, financial aid, and a place to live there to minor yet critical challenges like feeling homesick, the planning and procedure of getting into your dream college, writing acceptable SOPs, and most importantly, clearing your English proficiency test.

As you may know, it is always better to take one step at a time, today, we are going to explore the path of English proficiency tests. In this blog, we will explore the step-by-step study guide to crack your IELTS and TOEFL exams. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

About TOEFL

TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is another famous English proficiency test that people intend to take to get a visa for their abroad work, study, or migration. Just like IELTS, a TOEFL exam also consists of four sections; reading, writing, listening, and speaking. To ensure you can easily find your way in an English-speaking land, you are asked to prove it with the help of such English proficiency tests.

The time duration for the TOEFL exam is between 2-2.5 hours, where the candidate gets an extra 30 minutes to do the final checks. TOEFL, just like other English proficiency tests such as DET and IETLS, is conducted to check your eligibility for an English-speaking foreign land. Your TOEFL score is accepted by more than 11,000 universities and 150+ countries like USA, UK, Canada, etc.

However, when we talk about the scorecard, validity, and exam type, then you get flexibility here as well. The score band of the TOEFL exam ranges between 0-120, with a validity of 2 years. There are two options of TOEFL exams available; TOEFL iBT (TOEFL internet-based test) and TOEFL PBT (paper-based test), which a candidate can appear in as many times as they want. However, there should be a gap of 12 days between each attempt.

As we complete our knowledge of the two different yet similar types of English proficiency tests, it is time to know the hacks with the help of which you can easily crack your ITELS or TOEFL exams.

How To Prepare For IELTS & TOEFL?

Preparing for any exam is an overwhelming task. The stress and burden of preparing constantly for an exam because the foundation of a better future depends on how well you perform in the exams. Just like every other exam, the English language proficiency tests are overwhelming too; however, with the correct strategy, you can easily crack your IELTS or TOEFL exam. This section is your ultimate step-by-step study guide to help you prepare for your English language proficiency test without worrying about anything. So, without further waiting, let’s start with the plan.

1. Know the Test and Format:

The first and foremost step you should begin with when you start your preparations for the English language proficiency test is to know the test and format completely. Having a complete knowledge of what you are going to face in the exam will help you to prepare in a better manner. As you know there are four sections in IELTS and TOEFL exams, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, each of the sections contains different numbers of questions and timing. To be able to crack your English proficiency exams, you must be familiarise with the test type, the format, and even the type of questions that can be asked.

2. Set a Clear Goal:

The next step you must follow in the process of IELTS preparation is to set a clear goal. As you know there are different band scores for IELTS, TOEFL, DET, etc., so it is better you know what band score you want to achieve. It is true that any English language exam is solely needed for an institution or organisation, when you know about what band score is needed to get in there, it becomes easier for you to focus on your test prep. A decided goal like the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score will help you in preparing for the exam, whether you need 8 weeks or 90 days to prepare for your exam.

3. Develop a Study Plan:

Once you have set the goal for your IELTS or TOEFL exam and know the exam format, the next step is to develop a study plan. For efficient learning, try setting realistic study goals. You should begin by creating a timetable and dividing different time slots to practice the different English language skills. Sometimes, when you see the entire module all at once, it can be an overwhelming task, leading you to procrastinate. To be able to study efficiently, you should practice daily and instead of sitting for five hours straight, opt for the Pomodoro technique where you study for a while and then take a break.

4. Enhance Each Skill:

As you know there are four sections in the English language proficiency test, mainly reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Based on your abilities, you will know how much time you need to invest in practicing the asked skills. Knowing that you must be fluent in each of the sections for a comfortable stay abroad, it is better if you practice every day. For some efficient tricks, you can use the morning time for reading and writing. When it comes to listening and speaking, you can use any time of the day to listen to more English content, besides that try thinking and communicating in English for fearless English speaking.

5. Take Mock Test:

Finally, the only thing that will make you test-ready is when you take as many mock tests as possible. To know the format of an exam is good but to know what kind of questions you will be answering gives you a better understanding of the exam. So, in your IELTS preparation timeframe, it is better you not only work on the betterment of your skills but also take as many mock tests as you can. This will not only help you to know what kind of questions you will be facing, but how you can finish your exam within the allotted time. The mock test will help you figure out what your weaknesses are and how you can make them your strengths.

So, if you are willing to build a stronger foundation for your future, it is better if you start today. Connect with us and take on the world of English speaking with ease.

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