The utilisation of standardised language tests is crucial for the study abroad application process as it allows universities to assess the linguistic and academic readiness of prospective international students. These tests consistently measure a student's ability and are crucial for evaluating applications for study abroad programmes. We'll look at the benefits of standardised testing in this blog post, along with some tips for raising your language proficiency score.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are two exams of standardised language tests. Universities worldwide use these test results as part of their admissions process to identify applicants with the intellectual and linguistic ability required to succeed in their courses. Continue reading to learn the best tips to get a good score in language tests.
Tips to Raise Your Language Proficiency Score
Here are the tips to follow and raise your language proficiency score:
1. Improve Your Speaking, Writing, Listening, and Reading Abilities
Listening: You will be required to listen to recordings during the exam, which may include a variety of accents, including American, British, Australian, and so forth. To ensure you can comprehend them and don't struggle in the IELTS test, regularly watch films, shows, series, etc., in various English dialects.
Notably, test recordings will be made in various contexts, such as a social address, group discussion, monologue, etc. Practice listening to a range of audio and video content to stay updated.
Additionally, as you listen, work on summarising the key ideas to ensure you understand what you heard and can respond to the questions. Thus, expose yourself to enough situations to improve your listening abilities.
- Writing: Thanks to digital literacy, we now type more often than we write. You will need to polish your writing because you must return for the IELTS exam. So, get comfortable with writing quickly without making any spelling or grammatical error.
Read novels to expand your vocabulary and utilise it in your writing. Commence as soon as you can to polish your English skills. Try the essay part of the IELTS exam first, followed by the segment that includes describing a specific figure or graph.
- Reading: The IELTS test requires reading lengthy paragraphs; thus, how quickly you read is essential. You will need to read a significant amount each day to achieve this. Only then will your reading comprehension and ability to comprehend what to answer the questions accurately and swiftly improve.
Also, expanding your vocabulary is essential. It would be better to concentrate on reading books, magazines, and newspapers daily to develop a large vocabulary. Focus on developing the skill of skimming through written material while you practise reading rapidly. This will help you locate answers quickly by reviewing the written material provided throughout the test.
- Speaking: Get well-prepared responses ready. Consult Azent for better preparation of subjects related to speaking assignments in the IELTS exam. The examiner will ask you different questions during your IELTS test, so it’s better to be well-prepared for a better score in the exam.
When responding to the examiner, don't bluff; instead, base your responses on knowledge of the relevant facts. These are some minute details that you should know if you want to initiate your study abroad journey.
The Azent IELTS bootcamp can help you understand the pointers you need to improve. Develop the habit of replacing "umm" and "err" with words like "well," "actually," "honestly," etc. Refrain from trying to impress the examiner by speaking with an accent different from your normal English accent.
2. Pay Attention to Speed
Your speaking, reading, writing, and listening accuracy and speed are all related to how well you perform in the IELTS test. This is because there are more questions overall, and the exam is timed. Therefore, passing the test will be challenging if you are slow in responding to the questions.
3. Remain Calm and Composed
Avoid getting too worked up during the test because this will lead to more stress on the brain. Keep calm and be patient before and throughout the exam. Review the essential material quickly on the test day rather than cramming too much. Recall that feeling anxious will affect your speaking abilities and could make you appear unconfident to the examiner.
4. Get IELTS Practice Papers
Obtain the IELTS study materials, which include books with sample questions. Practising these papers regularly is essential. Remember that there are no negative marks in the IELTS exam. Therefore, try it even if you don't know the answer; you might get lucky. In your paper, make sure all questions are addressed.
Students, while you get ready for the IELTS exam, remember to focus on the following points:
- Create a visual schedule for yourself, then hang it in your space. This will assist you in maintaining attention by acting as a visual reminder.
- Practice each of the IELTS test's components daily.
- Enrol in a reputable IELTS tutoring programme. The Azent IELTS coaching can help you with top-notch study material that thousands of students have found very beneficial.
- Remain focused and disciplined. Don't put off or postpone your everyday practice.
- Networking with friends and fellow students taking the IELTS test will help you stay motivated and informed about the different study materials and available tools.
Final Thoughts
If you plan to study overseas, then the IELTS exam is the primary requirement you must fulfil. This exam is difficult to crack; many students need help getting the number of bands necessary to study in their dream country. It's better to have quality preparation for the IELTS exam.