Increase your IELTS Band Score the Second Time Around

Many test-takers take the IELTS exam twice. This could be due to not getting a band score they are satisfied with the first time or maybe they need a higher score to get accepted to their program.

In this post, I’ll give you three tips that can help you improve your IELTS band score when taking it the second time.

Analyze your First Exam
Learn what sections and test question types you made the most mistakes. After learning what your weaknesses are you can focus on improving them.

Track your practice test scores, especially on those sections you feel like you can do better. This will help you identify the weaknesses you need to address, and the strengths you can continue build on!

Have a Clear Strategy
If your scores are stuck in the same place, there’s a good chance you may need to improve your IELTS test-taking skills before you can see any more improvement to your scores.

A good way to improve your IELTS test-taking skills is to read about different IELTS strategies and apply them to your practice tests.

Having a clear strategy and framework when taking on the IELTS is crucial when trying to improve your score.

Study Differently
If you feel like you have studied a lot but still getting a score your not satisfied with, maybe you should switch up your study routine.

Did you only read IELTS prep books to prepare? Or did you only take practice tests? Try to do both to help maximize your preparation.

Oftentimes, you can also get help and feedback from a friend or relative who is good at English.

These are some of the things you can do to make sure you get a better score when taking the IELTS exam the second time around.

TOEFL Registration Information

Today we are going to go over and provide some information on the registration process for the TOEFL test. These are some of the registration info you should now.

First of all you should by when you need to take the TOEFL exam and send in your TOEFL score. By knowing your deadline date you will know exactly how much time you have to prepare for the exam.

Different schools might have different deadlines for applications. It’s important to know that ETS mail out your score thirteen days after you have taken the exam. Keep in mind you have to include additional time for the score to arrive in your planning.

If you do not have a deadline, set aside enough time for you to be able to prepare properly when deciding test date.

How Do You Register for the TOEFL?

To register for the TOEFL test you need to create an ETS account. From there you can pick a date online among the available test dates. You can also register through phone and mail. Check out available test dates here.

TOEFL Score Report

ETS can automatically send your TOEFL score to a school or agency. You can pick out four schools or agencies for free.

These are few of the things you should know before registering for the TOEFL test. Make sure you have plenty of time to prepare for the TOEFL so you can dominate the exam!

TOEIC Reading Tips: Part 5 Incomplete Sentences

Part 5 of the TOEIC test marks the beginning of the reading comprehension test. Incomplete sentences are an important part of the TOEIC reading section.

Part 5 of TOEIC reading test will ask you to read a sentence that will include a blank space (incomplete sentence).

You will be given four options of words or phrases to be inserted in the blank space. Your task is to choose the one you think will complete the sentence. The sentence must be grammatically correct and fit into the sentence to receive a point.

The incomplete sentence question types tests your vocabulary and ability to use phrases and words correctly.

A key factor when choosing an answer is to pay attention to the grammar of the sentence. Identify the subject, verb and object of the sentences; think of the grammar rules such as singular, plural, adjectives and adverbs.

Be aware that the words around the missing word can be useful clues for the answer.

Remember that all the words around the blank space are correct, so you will only need to worry about the missing word or phrase.

These are few of the things to consider when facing incomplete sentences on the TOEIC. Click here to learn more TOEIC reading strategies.

Improve your IELTS Reading Skills

The IELTS reading section includes three different sections with various tasks. Types of questions you will see when taking the IELTS Reading are multiple choice, short-answer questions, identifying writer’s opinions, labeling diagrams, finding information, completing a summary using words taken from the text and matching information/headings/features in the sentence endings.

In each task, you will be asked to read a passage that covers a particular subject. Then, you will answer a series of questions where you must answer correctly to receive a point. You will also see tasks that involve organizing or charting the ideas you have read.

There are a number of things you can do to improve your IELTS Reading skills.

Read
When reading make sure you understand the inferences in the text. Look at the big picture; ask yourself what is the author’s intent in his writing, what’s the feeling behind the text and what is the main thesis of the writing. The topics vary, keep in mind that as long as the text you read is in English it will help you improve your reading comprehension

Improve your vocabulary
Learning new words and understanding synonyms are important when taking the IELTS reading section. Reading alone will certainly help you improve your reading skills, but also focus on learning new words by stopping and taking notes on words you don't know.

Know the IELTS question types
Knowing the IELTS reading question types will help you feel more comfortable when taking the exam. Learn what types of reading passages will be presented on the test. Preparation is the key!

Write your own IELTS reading questions
Read an article and make up your own questions based on the article. This will help you remember what types of questions you will see on the IELTS and also how to look for the best answers in a text.

Know what type of reader you are
Are you a slow reader or the skimming type of reader? Knowing what kind of reader you are will help you with your time management on the IELTS. Remember that the IELTS reading section is 60 minutes long. Learn how to scan a text for specific key information (dates, numbers, names, relationships etc).

Click here to learn more strategies and tips for the IELTS reading section.
These are few of the things you can do to improve your IELTS reading skills.

What is the difference between TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT?

Many students often ask us what the difference is between the TOEFL iBT and the TOEFL PBT test. Today we are going to go over the differences between these two versions of the TOEFL.

iBT stands for Internet based test and PBT stands for paper-based test. You will take the TOEFL iBT on a computer, using a headset to listen, a microphone for your speaking parts and typing your answers on a keyboard for the writing section. The TOEFL PBT test is a strictly paper and pencil based exam.

The TOEFL iBT is more available compared to the PBT. ETS, recently announced that they will eventually remove the PBT version and only offer the iBT version. However, the TOEFL PBT is still available in a few countries where internet access is limited.

Both the iBT and PBT include the sections reading, listening, and writing. However, the PBT also includes a grammar section (Structure and Written Expression) while the iBT includes a speaking section.

The iBT and PBT do not only differ in the way it is taken but the score scale also differs between the two versions.

The length of the exams are also different between the two versions, the iBT is about one hour longer than the PBT. This is due to the iBT having longer texts and two essays on the writing section. The PBT has only one essay writing part.

Which version of the TOEFL is easier?
We often hear this question from many students and the answer is that both versions are comparable in terms of difficulty and overall level. You may have advantages on different versions due to the different formats but they are rarely substantial.