5 Tips on How to Maintain Your Concentration during Your Exam

Taking a standardized exam can be mentally exhausting. Going into to a big exam with the feeling of being unprepared only adds to the stress. A crucial component on staying focused throughout your exam is to be prepared and know what to expect from the test.

By being familiar with your exam you can focus your attention on what to answer rather than thinking about distractions. Make sure that you start studying months in advanced rather than days prior.

Be aware of the timeframe of your exam, how long the different sections are and when you can expect a break. Make sure that you take a few practice tests before taking your actual exam with the same time constraints as the official exam. This will help your concentration ability and get your mind prepared when it comes time to take the real test.

Get plenty of rest and sleep the night before taking your exam. Prepare your mind like you would prepare your body before an athletic event. Have a good breakfast and make sure you are hydrated. Coffee is my beverage of choice before taking a long exam.

Also, make sure that you visit the restroom before your exam begins! Walking out to visit the restroom in the middle of your exam will only add stress to your situation and distract you from your performance.

When you walk into the exam room your main focus should be solely on answering the question at hand. Always focus on the question you are working on, don’t worry about what comes next or other distractions. If you are thrown off by a question and are unable to answer it simply move on to the next question.

The key component to being able to maintain your concentration during your exam is to be prepared. To view some practice questions and to learn more about the structure of your exam check out our test preparation packages at ePrepz.

7 Tips on How to Improve your English Vocabulary

Building your vocabulary is absolutely essential if you want to improve your English proficiency. Words are the fuel of any language. There are many ways you can improve your English vocabulary at a rapid pace. Today we are going to share some of the best ways to improve your English vocabulary.

One of the most effective methods to improve your English vocabulary is to simply read English texts on a continuous basis. Make it a daily habit to visit English news websites to keep up with current affairs. To keep you motivated, read about something you are interested in.

By learning new words within their context it becomes easier to memorize the definition of the word and in what situations they can be used. The more you read the more new words you will encounter and learn.

When you are learning a new word remember to learn the root, prefixes and suffixes. You should also be aware of different grammatical forms of your newly learned word.

When doing your daily round of reading through English websites remember to write down words you are unfamiliar with on a notepad. After writing down a few words find the definition and practice using it with a sentence.

Another useful resource to improve your vocabulary is to watch videos in English with subtitles in your native tongue.

Avoid using the list to simply memorize the definition of the words. For a word to really stay with your vocabulary it’s important to practice using in different situations.

Try using the word in conversations, and make sure you pronounce it correctly. Construct grammatical sentences using the word correctly.

Another useful tool to memorize words are index cards, write the word on one side and the meaning on the other.

These are some of the ways you can improve your English vocabulary. Learn more tips on how to improve your English language proficiency.

6 Tips on Where to Start Learning English as a Beginner

1. The best way to learn any new language is to be surrounded in an environment where that language is the primary way of communication. If you can’t travel to that location you can use your computer to travel there virtually.

For example if you have a passion for Football you should join an online Football community and interact there on a daily basis. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes when talking to others, we learn through making mistakes. All you need to say is “sorry if my writing is a little off, English is not my native language” if you are worried that others won’t understand your writing, you will find that others will be understandable and work with you.

2. Find a source like a book to learn the basic rules and framework of English and practice when spending time on your chosen online community. The source can be anything like a book, tape or course but the important thing is that you find something that suits your specific needs.

3. After learning the rules of Basic English you will notice that your improvement is going to go quickly if you practice using
English on a daily basis.

4. Continue to practice your grammar, vocabulary, your reading and writing skills by doing exercises online. The key factor is to keep your learning momentum going and to avoid spending time not using English.

5. When reading text in English avoid translating it to your native language. This will slow down your learning progress; it’s better to use contextual clues (clues within the text) to try to figure out the meaning of the sentence. Focus on listening on sentences and patterns; use this technique when listening to movies or TV.

6. You will not learn English from a textbook; a book should serve as a reference and resource instead of utilizing it as your main way of learning English. By using this process and training your ears to listen to English, you will notice that you are going to understand more and more.

How can Improving my Business English Advance my Career?

Business English is simply the English language used in a professional environment. The business environment can change depending on what field you are working in. However the concept remains the same in that it’s about communication in the workplace.

For example the business English used, when working in sales is different to the English used when working as a lawyer with international clients.

How can improving my business English advance my career?

Good knowledge of business terms and vocabulary helps you conduct business in a professional manner. Not only will you be more valuable to your company but also improve your chances of advancement, which are greater for employees with a competitive advantage. Having a workforce that can handle language barriers us crucial for any international company.

Improving your business English skills gives you an advantage when writing emails, supporting international customers, negotiating with clients, participating in meetings and conferences and other business situations.

Learning business terms and jargons is a substantial part of Business English, a few include, “the bottom line”, “being in the red” and “to cut corners”. When practicing business English you focus on learning vocabularies used in business and also practice applying it.

There are many different reasons why you should want to improve your English skills; it could be to improve your prospect in your current company. Another reason is if you are looking to work abroad in an English speaking country.

Quick Tip to Improve your Communication in a International Work Environment

A key factor in business English is being culture sensitive when communicating with a person from a different language. Many students train for the TOEIC exam in a professional capacity. To be a great communicator especially in Business it’s important to be aware of cultural differences. Understanding the culture of those you are doing business with will improve your ability to communicate.

A great way to improve your English and also at the same time learn about the culture of your business partners and coworkers is by researching the culture. When researching the culture, make sure you are looking for specific materials in English. By learning about different cultures in English you kill two birds with one stone, you improve your English and at the same time improve your cultural awareness.