How To Score High On Toefl, Toeic, Ielts, Cael
Posted: Sunday, October 23, 2005
by Ross Mcbride
ESL in Canada
- Students fail because they do not understand the test requirements.
- Students fail because they underestimate the large volume of work necessary to pass.
- Students fail because they have limited English vocabulary.
- Students fail because some English skills are not practiced.
- Students fail because they rely on "secret tips" rather than real skill.
- Students fail because they cram for tests and become confused.
- Students fail because they become upset and cannot perform.
How international students can score high on ENGLISH tests.
First step in your plan to pass a specific English test is to understand the test requirements. Is the test a written test only, do you have to read a text, do you have to listen to a conversation on tape, what type of questions will be asked, what type of answers are required. Students must understand how the English information is presented, what English skills are being tested, and how answers must be submitted.Students require a vocabulary of between 8,000 and 15,000 words to pass the TOEFL, TOEIC, AP, and Cambridge tests.
To pass you need the four English skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) technical knowledge (grammar) vocabulary and familiarity with the test formats and requirements.
The "secret tips" of using grammar to decode questions or specific words that have a higher percentage of occurrence in the correct answers may give you the opportunity to raise your score from 0 to 5 %. If your vocabulary is less than 8000 or your listening skills or writing less than advanced then you will still fail despite using all the "secret tips" or "secret vocabulary indicating correct answers".
Everyone knows that cramming helps memorizing facts for a short time but does very little for the application and practice of the facts. All English tests are a combination of facts and application of English skills. Students who only cram for tests will fail 60% of the test as it is application of English skills. The students who cram can only help 40% of their factual knowledge if they can remember it perfectly. I have never met a student who can remember crammed English facts correctly.
Students become upset when they read questions they cannot answer, questions they cannot understand, words they do not know the meaning of, or "secret words" that occur in two answers. Remember students that are prepared have less chance of becoming upset. Students that are rested, relaxed and arrive on time at the test site will do better.
What English Should I study to PASS English Tests?
Diagram showing the overlap between the English concentrations
There is only one English language. There are a variety of programs and courses that overlap each other. Many business English courses cover 90% of what students require to pass the TOEIC exam. Many advanced English courses cover from 80 to 90 % of what is required to pass TOEFL, TOEIC, AP and other English tests. Some special toefl courses only do practice tests without teaching any vocabulary or English skills. Students must create a plan to increase all English skills, vocabulary and become comfortable with the test requirements and answer formats.
Students can take combinations of programs and still pass tests.
For example: Students could take 100 hours of business English, 200 hours of academic preparation and 20 hours of toefl and pass a Toefl test . The only secret is to have a balance of skills and knowledge. The following is an example of a balanced program.
- EXAMPLE PLAN TO PASS ENGLISH TESTS
- 20% vocabulary
- 15% grammar comprehension
- 15% reading comprehension
- 15% listening comprehension
- 15% writing skills, short answer and essay
- 15% speaking skills
- 5% practicing test formats
- contact us for a study plan: ross at eslincanada dot com
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More commentsthank you very much! i got many useful things!!!
my toelf exam is scheduled this saturday..thanks for this.
a very good suggestions/tips for a person like me who's afraid of taking international english test...
this information is very useful for me or i think those students want to give test plz study this things oncs. this is surly to increase score.
This information is very helpfull and guiding for the people who want to score high in english language proficiency test. The infomation given are quite general. It would be more beneficial if you could write some specific techniques for planning studies for scoring high.
hello all. i am going to take IELTS the next Saturday. After that if I fail my exam, I will prepare by such above suggestion. So cross your fingers for me!!! :-)
This was a good general article For students entering a college with a specific Toefl or Toeic test score requirement - this becomes the pass or fail for their application. You do not get marks for participation !!!
this article helps me a lot especially on my research paper,..tnx
Thank you ,it's very useful
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