As the date of your English exam draws near, the pressure intensifies. Typically, such exams evaluate your proficiency across four distinct skills, in addition to your grasp of grammar and vocabulary. Amidst this challenge, it’s natural to wonder how to approach your preparation. Regardless of whether you’re gearing up for the TOEFL, IELTS, or any other English language assessment, equip yourself for success by adopting these 10 effective study strategies.
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1. Understand the exam content and format
The primary English assessments are divided into the same distinct skill areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. To avert any unpleasant surprises, it’s wise to acquaint yourself with the typical questions that pertain to these skills beforehand, as well as the allotted time for each question.
In addition, it’s crucial to sort out logistical details prior to your exam day. This encompasses finer points such as the frequency of test recordings (if they exist) or the specific subjects you’ll be required to write about. Furthermore, ascertain the location of the test center or the possibility of an online option, should you prefer it. Lastly, familiarize yourself with the items permitted to be brought to the test center on the day of the exam.
For comprehensive coverage of the topics featured in the IELTS and TOEFL exams, our complete IELTS vs TOEFL exam guide is at your disposal. Additionally, you might find our top 10 tips for IELTS preparation intriguing. Acquiring an in-depth understanding of your exam will serve as a cornerstone for your subsequent endeavors, aiding you in defining your focus and devising a robust study plan.
2. Focus on your weaknesses
Before embarking on your English exam preparation, it’s essential to introspect: which areas do I find the weakest?
Typically, English language exams allocate equal importance to all four language skills. Therefore, it’s prudent to avoid excessive time investment in areas where your proficiency is already strong. Instead, channel your efforts toward enhancing your weaker aspects.
If you have prior experience with a similar exam, meticulously review your performance and take note of your shortcomings. Alternatively, you can gauge your current proficiency level by promptly attempting a practice test. Either approach will reveal the domains in which you struggle the most among listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
For many learners, the listening component of exams like TOEFL poses the greatest challenge. This is primarily due to the necessity of comprehending and responding to one-time auditory information. If you seek rapid enhancement in your listening skills, engaging in listening exercises guided by an English exam specialist can prove immensely beneficial.
Irrespective of the specific area requiring enhancement, allocating a substantial portion of your study schedule to targeted improvement efforts will undoubtedly lead to an enhanced overall exam score.
3. Make a practical study schedule (right now!)
The feeling of last-minute cramming for an exam, coupled with the regret of inadequate preparation, can be truly disheartening. If you haven’t established a study schedule yet, it’s high time to commence one without delay.
Take a journal, an Excel spreadsheet, or even a sizable piece of paper that can be affixed to your wall for convenient post-it placement. Start by counting back from your exam day and marking the remaining days. Distribute your available time judiciously, prioritizing your weaker areas, and endeavor to accommodate two to three study sessions daily. Studies suggest that an optimal work pattern involves dedicating 52 minutes to focused work followed by a 17-minute break. Here’s an exemplar of a productive study day:
11:00-11:30: Vocabulary – Utilize a flashcard application. 12:30-1:30: Writing – Compose a 3-page journal entry in your target language. 2:00-3:00: Listening – Engage with an English podcast and make note of new vocabulary. 3:30-4:30: Speaking – Engage in conversation with an English-speaking friend, language exchange partner, or English tutor.
A well-structured study plan dissects an imposing volume of material into smaller, more manageable segments, alleviating any fear of overlooking crucial content. Furthermore, the satisfaction derived from checking off completed tasks on your schedule is immensely gratifying. By the time you’ve ticked off all your tasks, you’ll possess the confidence that your diligent and strategic efforts have been invested in your exam preparation.
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4. Prepare faster with a tutor
While the remaining study techniques outlined in this article come at no cost, investing in a package of private online lessons prior to your exam can yield remarkable results. Enrolling in personalized 1-on-1 sessions, such as those offered by a dedicated tutor or through Preply’s Business English language training for employees, proves to be an exceedingly effective strategy for honing your performance before the exam.
Numerous tutors specialized in English language exams can be readily found. Drawing from their extensive experience in coaching students to success, these tutors possess a comprehensive understanding of the requisites for excelling in English language exams. They will assist you in devising a comprehensive plan, furnish valuable resources, pinpoint areas for improvement, and refine your speaking abilities through tailored 1-on-1 lessons if needed. You can evaluate the reviews and testimonials for each tutor to ascertain their suitability for your requirements and to gain insight into how they have aided learners similar to yourself.
5. Expand your vocabulary
To excel in an English language examination, it’s crucial to showcase an impressive vocabulary range. A tried-and-true technique that has persisted for decades is the use of flashcards, which ingrains new words into your memory through repeated exposure. Craft your own flashcards by writing the word on one side and including the definition and an illustrative sentence on the reverse. Then challenge yourself to recall the definition and usage.
For those spare moments, utilizing flashcard apps can be quite convenient! Here are some recommended options:
- Quizlet: Generate your personalized flashcards or utilize existing decks to enhance your English study.
- Preply: Incorporate words shared by your online tutor or add any new terms you wish to learn. Available on the App Store and Google Play.
- Drops: Pick a subject and engage in enjoyable, fast-paced games with vibrant visuals that aid in acquiring new vocabulary.
- Memrise: A captivating flashcard app offering interactive elements. To determine if it suits your preferences, explore our comprehensive Memrise vs Rosetta Stone review.
6. Write a daily journal in English
Maintaining a daily journal doesn’t just benefit your mental faculties; it serves as an exceptional method to enhance your sentence construction prowess.
Journaling proves to be an excellent exercise that not only facilitates quick sentence formulation but also encourages thinking in your target language. This practice unveils any noteworthy, frequently-used terms that might be absent from your vocabulary. Subsequently, you can identify these gaps, research their meanings, and incorporate them into your flashcard app for future memorization.
Additionally, it’s crucial to note that both the IELTS and TOEFL exams encompass a segment where you’re prompted to express your viewpoints or describe various subjects. Your journal becomes invaluable here, as it enables you to narrate personal experiences, opinions, and events, fostering the skills essential for such exam sections.
Furthermore, a journal functions as an exceptional motivator. Reflecting on a month’s worth of journal entries reveals your remarkable progress. The topics you engage with in your journal entries can also serve as rich sources of discussion during your speaking practice sessions, ensuring a comprehensive language learning journey.
7. Practice speaking regularly
When it comes to enhancing language fluency, there’s no better “shortcut” than engaging in conversations. Genuine dialogues offer an unparalleled acceleration of language skills: constructing spontaneous sentences compels you to navigate the right vocabulary, while simultaneously providing listening practice and immediate feedback.
A study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison underscored that learners who actively engage in speaking outperform those solely reliant on comprehension exercises. This divergence likely stems from our memory’s inclination towards human-to-human interactions, laden with emotional connections. While flashcards and other study techniques hold their value, live conversations grant you the opportunity to seamlessly integrate all the words and phrases you’ve meticulously practiced over time.
8. Read as much as you can
Immerse yourself in reading English content as frequently as possible. Reading provides the opportunity to absorb the language at your preferred pace, and it’s an enjoyable and captivating means to enrich your understanding, not just of the English language, but of various subjects as well.
Incorporating a daily or bi-daily reading habit yields substantial benefits. You can delve into academic journals, books, or newspapers (materials akin to the IELTS Academic test), or engage with texts encountered in your daily routines: magazines, newspapers, novels, or advertisements (akin to the IELTS General Training test). Your reading materials could encompass factual information, fiction, or anything in the spectrum between the two. Furthermore, you can explore timeless English literary works, and we provide a comprehensive list suited to your current English proficiency level.
As you read, don’t hesitate to annotate your books and texts. Jot down notes, definitions, and translations. This practice aids in recognizing familiar words and comprehending their applications in genuine sentences and expressions.
9. Don’t forget to listen!
Perhaps you’ve considered listening to be less active compared to speaking, reading, or writing, assuming it might not be as challenging or crucial. However, this perspective is a significant misconception. Research has revealed that during communication, approximately 40-50% of our time is dedicated to listening, surpassing the 25-30% allocated to speaking. Thus, cultivating your listening skills is undoubtedly essential for success in your English exam.
Enhancing your listening abilities can be accomplished through two approaches: active and passive listening. Active listening involves fully engaging your attention while tuning into a podcast, YouTube video, or movie, accompanied by note-taking. Active listening can also be practiced during conversations with an English tutor or language exchange partner, where you jot down new words or identify vocabulary gaps.
On the other hand, passive listening entails immersing yourself in a podcast or YouTube video while performing other tasks like cleaning your room or walking the dog. While less focused, passive listening contributes to your listening practice and can be integrated into your moments of relaxation. For additional practical methods to enhance your listening, refer to this guide on English speaking exercises.
Once you’ve fortified your listening skills using these study techniques, the final step involves applying all you’ve learned to the test material itself.
10. Take a practice test
In our initial suggestion, we advised you to acquaint yourself with the exam content and grasp the desired type of responses from examiners. However, merely having this knowledge isn’t sufficient to secure the highest score; you must translate this understanding into practical application.
The good news is that learning resources and official practice papers are readily available online for various tests like TOEFL, IELTS, and others. Once you’ve obtained the official practice tests, find a quiet place devoid of distractions, set a timer on your phone, and commence applying the knowledge you’ve gained. After completion, cross-reference your work with exemplary practice materials and answers from past examinations.
An additional strategy involves replicating the actual exam experience as closely as possible. For an added touch, you can even consume a cup of coffee before taking a practice test. The caffeine-induced adrenaline rush will simulate the nervousness akin to that on the actual exam day. By mimicking the authentic scenario, you’ll feel more composed and ready when the day of the exam arrives.
What is your English level?
Find out your A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 level of English with our online test and receive your English certificate.
I am Nilay, an experienced English Language Assessment Director at the International English Test, where I have been working full-time since February 2020. I specialize in helping people worldwide validate their English proficiency through comprehensive assessments and certifications.
Before joining the International English Test, I worked as a self-employed English Language Assessment Consultant from January 2015 to December 2019. During this time, I assisted companies and individuals in improving their language skills, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.
I hold a degree in Engineering and have also studied at Shafston International College in Australia. My educational background has equipped me with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the field of English language learning. Additionally, I enjoy sharing my expertise through articles that explore effective teaching methods and language assessment strategies, contributing to the International English Test and the broader assessment community.
