Best Tips for IELTS, TOEFL, PTE [nobody has ever told you!]
Preparing for the English language tests to prove your eligibility to travel abroad can be a daunting task. But with the right approach and some helpful tips, you can improve your chances of success.
Here are some valuable IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE tips to enhance your preparation and boost your performance on test day.
IELTS Tips for Students
- Develop a wide range of vocabulary. In addition to word lists, study synonyms, antonyms, and collocations. It improves language skills and lexical diversity in writing and speaking.
- Practice paraphrasing. To improve your language flexibility and avoid repetitive language use, practise paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, and whole texts. IELTS values this.
- Listen to a variety of accents. Expose yourself to different English accents by listening to podcasts, radio programs, or watching movies and TV shows. It will help you understand different pronunciations and intonations.
- Analyze sample essays and model answers. Examine well-written essays and model answers for writing and speaking tasks. Focus on organisation, vocabulary, and sentence structure and use them in your responses.
- Join a speaking practice group. Join a speaking practise group or find a study partner to practise mock speaking tests. This will boost confidence, help you adapt to different speaking styles, and provide valuable feedback.
| IELTS Best Study Materials | Authors |
| Official IELTS Practice Materials | Produced by the IELTS partners (Cambridge English Language Assessment, British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia) |
| Cambridge IELTS Series | Published by Cambridge University Press. Each book in the series has different authors |
| The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS | Pauline Cullen, Amanda French, and Vanessa Jakeman |
| Barron’s IELTS Superpack | Dr. Lin Lougheed |
| IELTS Trainer | Louise Hashemi and Barbara Thomas |
| IELTS Target Band 7 | Simone Braverman |
| Road to IELTS | Developed by the British Council |
| IELTS Advantage: Writing Skills | Richard Brown and Lewis Richards |
TOEFL Tips for Students
- Use authentic practice materials. Practise with official TOEFL materials to get used to the test’s passages, lectures, and questions. This will help you adapt to the test format and improve your performance.
- Improve your note-taking skills. Listen to and read lectures to practise summarising key points and details. Note-taking helps you remember information and saves time in the writing and speaking sections.
- Develop critical thinking skills. Practise analysing arguments, identifying logical fallacies, and evaluating evidence to improve your comprehension and response to reading and listening passages.
- Learn to manage stress. Since TOEFL is a timed test, practise deep breathing and positive visualisation to stay calm and focused. Managing stress will enhance your concentration and performance.
- Utilize online resources. Use online forums, discussion boards, and practise tests to discuss strategies and learn about the test.
| TOEFL Best Study Materials | Authors |
| The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test | Published by ETS (Educational Testing Service), the creators of the TOEFL exam. |
| Barron’s TOEFL iBT | Pamela Sharpe |
| TOEFL iBT Prep Plus 2022-2023 | Kaplan Test Prep |
| Cracking the TOEFL iBT | The Princeton Review |
| Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test | Jolene Gear and Robert Gear |
| Delta’s Key to the TOEFL iBT: Advanced Skill Practice | Nancy Gallagher |
| Official TOEFL iBT Tests | Published by ETS |
| Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test | Deborah Phillips |
PTE Tips for Students
- Master time management. Practise finishing tasks within each section’s time limit. Prioritise and manage time to answer all questions and tasks.
- Use highlight and drag-and-drop features effectively. Get acquainted with the PTE test interface’s interactive features. Highlight important information and drag and drop it to improve efficiency.
- Improve your pronunciation. Use language apps or online resources to practise pronunciation. Focus on sounds, intonation, and stress patterns to improve your English.
- Enhance your reading speed. Practise speed reading to quickly scan and comprehend passages while retaining important information. This will improve your reading speed.
- Take advantage of the “MyEnglishLab” platform. PTE offers an online learning platform called “MyEnglishLab,” which provides additional practice materials, interactive exercises, and feedback. Utilize this resource to familiarize yourself with the test format and improve your skills.
- Remember, these tips are meant to supplement your overall preparation strategy. To succeed, practise regularly, focus on your weaker areas, and learn the exam’s requirements and format.
PTE Best Study Materials | Authors |
| The Official Guide to PTE Academic | Published by Pearson, the creators of the PTE Academic test |
| PTE Academic Practice Tests Plus | Authored by Pearson Test Developers |
| Expert PTE Academic Coursebook | Authored by Pearson Test Developers |
| PTE Academic Testbuilder: Student’s Book with Audio Pack | Amanda French and Jake Peters |
| PTE Academic Online Practice Tests | Pearson |
| PTE Academic Practice Test Plus with CD-ROM | Felicity O’Dell and Vanessa Jakeman |
| PTE Academic Expert: Pearson Test of English Academic B2 | Clare Walsh, Lindsay Warwick, and Kate Chandler |
Here is some Bonus Tip for You
Stay Motivated and Manage Stress!
Motivation and stress management is crucial when studying for an English language test. Set realistic goals, celebrate milestones, and stay positive during preparation. Relaxation, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle help manage stress.
Each test has its own requirements, so it is important to research and understand the test you will be taking. With consistent practise, targeted preparation, and a positive attitude, you can improve your English language skills and do well on your study abroad test.
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