(Authored by Mamta Shekhawat, Founder of Gradding.com)
According to a survey in 2022, approx 750 thousand students emigrated from India for overseas education. As the founder of one of India’s leading study abroad consultancy, I get an opportunity to meet students regularly who are aspiring to build a successful academic career in a foreign country.
A few common reasons, like better scope of research, learning, employment, and more, make students take this decision. However, these scholars face a lot of trouble when they have to clear language tests like TOEFL, IELTS, SAT and so on to get into their desired university and the host country.
But, honestly, it’s not that tough if they want to. Yes! All students need is the right strategy to clear these exams and land in their dream universities. Some that I would personally suggest are:
- Have a Plan
From the biggest planned events to the smallest tasks like daily targets, things work right when they are pre-planned. So, why not apply the same for your dream of studying abroad? All you need is a proper schedule and a timer to calculate what takes how much from your time and then plan your day. Once it is done, you have a goal, so just stick to it.
- Focus on Information
One main section of these exams is reading, where students in haste make most mistakes. One should be careful with Grammar and Punctuation while working on the passages. Also, overstudying the vocabulary can prove overwhelming rather than handy at the last minute. However, flashcards can make it easy to grasp challenging information in easy words.
- Pick Right Resources
Most of these exams do not have any specific syllabus. Thus, students preparing for these tests should use the best resources and enrol in a good program. They should work on incorporating the language into daily routines, like listening to English songs or podcasts, watching movies, reading newspapers, etc. Remember that suitable materials and pronunciation can take you to places if used correctly.
- Practice and Do It More
Nobody is born perfect and gets perfection in one day. But anybody can be perfect with practice. So, never take it lightly and keep practising daily. Track your progress and keep reading journals, writing essays, speaking in front of the mirror, and listening to podcasts. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it one day.
- Join Good Coaching
There are multiple online channels on YouTube, websites on the Internet, and Books in the Library, but a good teacher can beat them all. Enrol in a good coaching class where you can understand the exam format, practice mock tests, optimize your performance, learn the latest technology, and keep yourself updated.
Scoring the highest marks in TOEFL, GRE, IELTS, SAT, etc, is not rocket science. But why can’t many students clear them? It’s because they lack discipline and critical thinking. In this digital era, we are getting used to automation and hard work is underrated. But this is what can take you to places you dream of. So, get set and ready to fly abroad!
