ICON+

Every year, we at ICON+ work with hundreds of students preparing for the TOEFL and IELTS exams.

The scores they achieve impact which colleges, universities, and graduate programs they attain admission to; career opportunities; and even whether or not they can migrate to their countries of choice. A great deal of impact for tests that each last less than four hours, huh?

Although our students pay for the same course to prepare them for these crucial exams, we’ve noticed that some students walk out with disproportionately higher improvement on scores. We’ve scratched our heads and come out with the following tips to help you get the most out of your TOEFL or IELTS preparation course:

1. Be present

It’s a no brainer why our students with the highest class attendance rates tend to improve their test performance the most. However, being physically present doesn’t necessarily mean you’re mentally engaged.

Arrive at every class with notebooks and pens or pencils so you can take good notes. It’s imperative that you get enough sleep and rest before each class so you can focus. If you have a hard time concentrating in general, try tricks such as chewing gum. Most importantly, don’t just passively listen to the presentation or class discussion, but use the practices given and apply what you learn to different scenarios.

2. Open your mouth…

…and I don’t mean just to yawn!

Participate in class discussions and ask questions when you don’t fully understand. Although many students at first feel too intimidated to use their English skills in front of a room full of peers, doing so will afford you practice, and the teacher a better sense of your strengths and weaknesses.  Don’t be afraid to approach your teacher personally with questions, either!

3. Prepare for the prep-course

All our courses provide students a comprehensive e-learning system with multiple mock tests and tons of practice questions. At minimum, complete the homework your teacher assigns you. We also encourage our students to write extra essays and submit them to their tutors to mark so they can further improve their writing skills. Our best students take full advantage of our physical library of test-prep materials, checking out books such as those by Barron’s and McGraw-Hill to pour over at home.

4. Make English your lifestyle

Why do people pay thousands of dollars to complete language and home-stay programs abroad? Other than the exciting travel and intercultural experiences, language acquisition is a top reason. We simply learn better when we’re surrounded by the language we’re trying to master.

Be serious about your TOEFL and IELTS classes, but also read magazines and novels, watch TV shows and movies, and listen to music – all in English. Hanging out with native English speakers is an unbeatable way to improve your verbal communication skills, so go out and make some new friends!