Tips and Tricks: CAEL TOEFL and IELTS
In the previous issue, we talked about the differences and the similarities between the three English proficiency tests. This time we will look into a few tip and tricks that can help you to do well on them. We will address the hardest part in all of them, the writing part.
We know that the writing part in both CAEL and IELTS is done manually, or we can say on paper – using a pen of course. While in TOEFL it is done on a computer, or what can be called keyboard typing. In most of them it is also the last part of the test. This perhaps is the beginning of all its problems with many test takers.
Usually, those tests are not short. They can go from 3 to 4 hrs, and spending time and energy on the other parts of the test before getting to writing would cause fatigue and frustration by the time the test take get to the writing part.
So, what a test taker should do. First, to keep in mind the test is meant to test the following; language level, intellect level, and most importantly stamina, both physical and mental. This is the factor that many test takers fail to understand and forget to train and prepare for the test.
Second, they need to find their own way to build and improve their stamina for test. Sleeping well before the test is a key element. This would help in restoring and boosting the mental stamina, which help in generating ideas and link them properly while answering the essay questions. Relaxing the body would restore and boost the physical stamina. This is necessary because a test take would be sitting in one position most of the time while taking the test. And even though every test centre is providing a comfortable environment for the test, the tension and the anxiety of the test can put the body under stress and make it feels uncomfortable. No one wants to feel so by the time he or she is writing the essay.
Third, which is very important for the writing process and is can’t be stressed enough by both teaches; Valeeta and Brian (CAEL Preparation Instructors) and the other teachers, is taking the time (as much as it could be – up to 15 min) planning the essay. This could be done mentally or physically on a paper sheet, whichever is possible and preferred by the test taker.
Fourth, meeting the minimum words limit of the essay, while ensuring to have the vital components of an essay; providing an introduction, body paragraph(s), and most importantly a conclusion. This can be done with an easy trick that I use personally, but it could be uncomfortable to other people. Using 2 adjectives and/or adverbs most of the time would save you the time to add more ideas and it would use more words to meet the minimum number of words. However, you have to know a lot of vocabulary to be able to use that way.
To cut to the chase, understanding that test is not just about the level of the English language, it is also about the intellect and stamina levels. Building stamina by resting mentally and physically before the test is important. Planning your essay and writing an introduction, body paragraph(s), and a conclusion. Finally, using an edge in writing to reduce the effort and time needed to meet the minimum number of words like using multiple adjectives and/or adverbs.
By IQ
We know that the writing part in both CAEL and IELTS is done manually, or we can say on paper – using a pen of course. While in TOEFL it is done on a computer, or what can be called keyboard typing. In most of them it is also the last part of the test. This perhaps is the beginning of all its problems with many test takers.
Usually, those tests are not short. They can go from 3 to 4 hrs, and spending time and energy on the other parts of the test before getting to writing would cause fatigue and frustration by the time the test take get to the writing part.
So, what a test taker should do. First, to keep in mind the test is meant to test the following; language level, intellect level, and most importantly stamina, both physical and mental. This is the factor that many test takers fail to understand and forget to train and prepare for the test.
Second, they need to find their own way to build and improve their stamina for test. Sleeping well before the test is a key element. This would help in restoring and boosting the mental stamina, which help in generating ideas and link them properly while answering the essay questions. Relaxing the body would restore and boost the physical stamina. This is necessary because a test take would be sitting in one position most of the time while taking the test. And even though every test centre is providing a comfortable environment for the test, the tension and the anxiety of the test can put the body under stress and make it feels uncomfortable. No one wants to feel so by the time he or she is writing the essay.
Third, which is very important for the writing process and is can’t be stressed enough by both teaches; Valeeta and Brian (CAEL Preparation Instructors) and the other teachers, is taking the time (as much as it could be – up to 15 min) planning the essay. This could be done mentally or physically on a paper sheet, whichever is possible and preferred by the test taker.
Fourth, meeting the minimum words limit of the essay, while ensuring to have the vital components of an essay; providing an introduction, body paragraph(s), and most importantly a conclusion. This can be done with an easy trick that I use personally, but it could be uncomfortable to other people. Using 2 adjectives and/or adverbs most of the time would save you the time to add more ideas and it would use more words to meet the minimum number of words. However, you have to know a lot of vocabulary to be able to use that way.
To cut to the chase, understanding that test is not just about the level of the English language, it is also about the intellect and stamina levels. Building stamina by resting mentally and physically before the test is important. Planning your essay and writing an introduction, body paragraph(s), and a conclusion. Finally, using an edge in writing to reduce the effort and time needed to meet the minimum number of words like using multiple adjectives and/or adverbs.
By IQ