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Top Strategies to Ace Your English Language Proficiency Tests

Thousands of students travel to some of the top English-speaking countries to enroll in their dream courses every year. But the challenge that makes these dreams often unfulfilled is a low score on the English proficiency test, which is the gateway to top universities like Harvard and Oxford.

So, how do you conquer the tricky questions on tests like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT TOEIC, or CELPIP?

On a usual day, talking with friends, you might feel confident about acing your game in the English proficiency exams. But when it's about choosing the 'few' or 'a few' in a sentence, it may confuse you for a while.

Now, the level of questions will gradually increase, and it's high time that you prepare yourself with strategies to score the best.

Hence, follow these strategies and start preparing -

Conduct Research

For non-native English speakers, there isn't a single standardized English language test. Instead, the specifications differ between universities and between degrees. For instance, a student planning to major in English literature might require greater proficiency than one majoring in the sciences or engineering.

Understanding each potential school's language requirements, including the exams they utilize and the passing marks, is the first step in exam preparation. Each school's website should have easy access to this data.

Join a Language-Exchange Portal Online

Although grammar and vocabulary are the building blocks of fluency in a language, understanding the cultural background also helps.

Gladly, there are several language exchange apps accessible, making it simple to connect with a native speaker.

So, if you've never participated in a language exchange, it works like this: You'll be matched with a fluent English speaker who wants to study your language, and the two of you will teach each other. Many of these applications are cost-free, and they match you with an English speaker based on your interests. Additionally, it's a fantastic opportunity to connect and make new friends!

Adjust your Smartphone's Language to English

Why not start with your smartphone, as immersing yourself in a language is the key to learning it? Change the language on your phone and social media to English; you'll be surprised at how many new words you learn that you may apply to your daily life.

Converting the language to English will enhance your exposure without you even realizing it because many of us use our phones frequently throughout the day. While it might seem unusual initially, you'll be astonished by how quickly you adapt and how many new terms you learn.

Apply for a Trial Test

By becoming as familiar with the exam beforehand, you can overcome your fear of the unknown. By taking a practice test, you can identify your weak points and become more accustomed to the exam's format and sorts of questions.

You'll also understand how you'll do on the exam as practice exams are graded.
Although there are numerous online practice English tests, try to choose one as close as possible to the test you are studying for.

For example, the TOEFL iBT test is one of the most well-known assessments of English language skills. They've made it simple by offering a test that you may take as often as you'd like.

This will assist you in familiarising yourself with the questions and material found on the actual test as well as gaining an understanding of how the test's sections are organized.

Get some entertaining language-learning apps
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Due to its accessibility, affordability, and engaging platform, language-learning apps have experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. Apps make it simple to practice a language daily for a little period, receive immediate feedback, keep tabs on your progress, and have fun.

Language study apps' game-like design inspires you in a way that no textbook can. You can progress through several levels and tasks with these apps, which are frequently rated like games.

Read More About - An Essential Guide on Writing SOPs for Undergraduate Students

Keep a Journal or Write Short Stories in English

An English proficiency test will also assess your ability to write in English. Therefore, writing abilities should be developed just as much as reading, listening, and speaking skills. Writing English short stories is an entertaining approach to accomplish this. You don't have to be the next Shakespeare, so don't worry.

You are not required to share these stories with anyone, so they need not be prize winners! However, engaging in creative writing like this may be enjoyable practice for using a wide variety of vocabulary, particularly adjectives, and nouns in various tenses.

If creating stories doesn't excite you, consider keeping an English journal. Another fantastic way to practice your English writing is to write about your day, schoolwork, family, job, or what you did over the weekend.

Putting your ideas down on paper can also be incredibly therapeutic, which is another good reason to try journaling in English.

Tune in to Your Favourite Talk Show on the Radio or Podcasts

Try out an English-language podcast or radio program to vary your listening comprehension. This is significantly more challenging than watching TV or films because there are no visual cues, and it's more likely to be the format you'll see on an actual English exam. Start with a podcast tailored for English language learners, even if there are other English podcasts to pick from.

Short lessons, discussions on grammar or other frequent English queries, or simplified stories or conversations are frequently included.

Keep Studying on the go

You can prepare with various free language studies and test-specific gaming apps. While mobile self-study may not be ideal on its own — you still need to review grammar and practice writing essays thoroughly — it may be a terrific method to increase your vocabulary, practice answering multiple-choice questions, and keep working on your skills.

A few of the many fantastic free language-learning apps are Open Language, Duolingo, and FluentU. Try a few apps to determine which best suits your learning style because each takes a different approach.

Learn Some Specific Vocabulary Relevant to Your Genre

In most exams, your vocabulary and range will affect the grade you receive. You will receive more credit if you use precise, sophisticated words to discuss your life and interests. Add some extra material if there is time because it demonstrates your breadth and fluency. Additionally, it allows you to demonstrate new terminology or creative phrase patterns.

Give the primary response to each question, then, if necessary, clarify your reasoning and include an example. Take advantage of any opportunity to use an intriguing or complex sentence construction. Conditional sentence hypotheses are often a nice method in such cases.

Final Words

Assessments like English proficiency tests measure your preparedness for enrolling in foreign institutions. Hence, it's always better to stay extra aware by preparing the English language with new strategies. And for that, try the methods mentioned above, and you can shine bright overseas.

  • Shantnu Singh
  • May 19,2023
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