A Step-by-step Guide for Effective IELTS & TOEFL Preparation

“A good education is a foundation for a better future.”- Elizabeth Warren

If you are a parent, then you will know how crucial it is for your child(ren) to get quality education for a brighter future. But if you are a student, then slowly but surely you will know the importance of quality education to build a stronger foundation for your shining future.

When we talk about the trends in today’s education, it seems like students and parents are more inclined toward practical education rather than going for theoretical knowledge. This has become one of the reasons why students prefer studying abroad. It is completely understandable if you are also a student who wishes to study abroad. Today, let’s start your journey with ease to your desired destination.

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 IELTS

IELTS or International English Language Testing System, is one of the most popular English proficiency tests that is for work, study, and migration. If you are someone who wishes to study, work, or settle in a foreign land such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, etc., then this is one such test that you must take.

An IELTS exam consists of four sections; reading, writing, speaking, and listening. As these four are the most basic yet crucial parts of your English communication in a foreign land, hence, it becomes compulsory for you to take the international entrance exam for study abroad. This 30-year-old English language test is 2 hours and 45 minutes and can either be conducted online or offline based on your preference.

In the IELTS test, there is nothing as such pass or fail, there are band scores between 0 to 9 that are valid for two years. 0 indicates that the candidate didn’t appear in the exam and 9 states that the candidate is an expert in the English language. The average score to get a visa is 5. However, there is one crucial thing for students to know, if you are planning to study in the UK, you don’t need to take the IELTS test if you have a 70% or more score in your high school’s English exam.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

MetaApply- Your Personal Guide for Acing IELTS & TOEFL Exams

Talking about making your weaknesses your strengths, you need someone who can handhold you throughout the learning process. As you had your doubts about the test type or the ways to crack it, we believe this blog must have helped you. However, if you still need a better understanding of minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores or anything else, we’d suggest you connect with our experts today. Our professionals will help you prepare for your English language proficiency test in just 45 days. Your personal tutor will guide you on how you should plan your IELTS test prep sessions. Instead of feeling overwhelmed with too much on your plate, you will be more focused on one section at a time. 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.