IELTS

Warning don't take the TOEIC exam until you read this.
10 score Killers that You NEED to know right away!
Discover How to Overcome them and get a GREAT SCORE!!!

TOEIC Secrets, Tips and Strategies Revealed - Part 1
This article is an excerpt from my free report which will available on the website for download shortly...

TOEIC Strategies Revealed
An Educational Supplementary by Mr. David Dalton

Hi, I really glad you decided to let me to share this valuable information with you. My name is David Dalton and before we get started I would like to take this opportunity not only say thanks but also to congratulate you. For what? Good question! for having the initiative and desire to succeed. Many other ESL students have no doubt seen the advertisements or received an email from friends or tutors inviting them to take advantage of this practical straightforward TOEIC report.

You did what many won't do - You took action!

I firmly believe that if you diligently apply yourself to the strategies laid out in this report, or anything in life for that matter, you will succeed. Now that you've already shown me that you're willing to do more than many I ask you now to go one step further. How? Simply exercise that attitude throughout the various exercises and strategies I set before you. Even if they seem trivial or tedious, please do yourself a favor and trust me. They work!

If you listen to my ANL (audio newsletter) then some of this information probably sounds familiar. If you don't already tune in I encourage you to check it out as each week I seek out ESL Experts and ask them the questions that me and my listeners want to know. Additionally, I take an in-depth look at important aspects of learning English as a second language and review many of the latest study aids available.

So let's get started...

Know thine enemy – two of the Top Ten Score-Killers

The First Score-Killer: Not using the language

Speak English! I do not say this as a joke or to be mean. Simply put to improve your TOEIC score you need to use the language. You must speak and listen to English as much as possible. You must set fear and pride aside and speak. Don't be afraid to talk, if someone doesn't understand you, no problem just repeat yourself.

Repetition is the foundation of learning.

I firmly believe that it's really important for you to hear English not only from others but even more importantly from yourself. You need to train yourself up in all things connected with the language including the mechanics of speaking.

Only repetition can do this so speak, speak, speak...

Decision Number 1

Our 1st decision is to speak, I want you to say this simple but powerful phrase to yourself each and every morning.

“Today I will speak English, maybe tomorrow I'll speak 'insert your language' but Today I speak English!”

Engage in conversations, listen to the news, both radio and television, and although it might seem rude, eaves drop on conversations of native speakers and even butt in with a question or a comment. I will go into this in much futher detail in upcoming articles.

The Second Score-Killer: Not finishing the test

Finish the Test! Time - “time is of the essence”

Time management is fundamental to achieving a high TOEIC score. Among the students I polled one thing that stands out is the inability to complete the test.

Decision Number 2

Our 2nd decision is “I will finish the test”

You must make a conscious decision that you will finish the test.

Since all questions are of equal value on the TOEIC, you cannot allow yourself to waste too much time on questions that you cannot solve within a reasonable amount of time. The question that is very difficult and time consuming for you is also the one your most likely to get wrong, so if you have to move on don't sweat it. Remembering our second decision “I will finish the test”.

Let's do some simple math.

Listening Comprehension

time = 45 minutes – questions = 100
time per/question? - 27 seconds

Reading

time = 75 minutes – questions = 100
time per/question? - 45 seconds

27 seconds! 45 seconds!! getting the picture!!!

Any question in which you use more than what is alloted for that segment you are borrowing time from the next question. The answer to your problem is simple do not go into time debt! If you allow a time debt to accumulate than you end up in two possible scenarios:

you don't finish and all remaining question are worth 0!
you make random selections and take your chances.

Neither of these are the way to a high score.

The order of the questions do not necessarily indicate the level of difficulty, put another way, the first questions are not necessarily simpler to answer than the last. This assumption can tempt you to want to read over everything first and answer the ones you know or feel are the easiest. This is completely natural, but you must not do this. Why? Because it can lead to a lower score as you will be using up your most precious commodity...time! This is an excellent strategy for testing that is not time sensitive, however you do not have the luxury of time on the TOEIC.

Well then, if I can't use too much time on difficult questions and I can't read ahead looking for easier ones to fill in then...what do I do? Good question, I glad you asked.

You need to implement two time management techniques:
What are they? check back tomorrow and I'll cover them in detail. So for now be sure to stick to your decisions.

Your 1st decision is “Today I will speak English, maybe tomorrow I'll speak 'insert your language' but Today I speak English!”

Your 2nd decision is “I will finish the test”

See you soon, Mr. D

David Dalton
Warning don't take the TOEIC exam until you read this. 10 score Killers that You NEED to know right away! How to Overcome them and get a GREAT SCORE! www.esltoronto.net manner. To find out more go to www.esltoronto.net

source : http://www.hampstead-english.ac.uk/en/courses/ielts/

IELTS PARACTICE TEST : IELTS an Overview

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test provides an evaluation of English for those who wish to study or train in English. It is very similar to the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) required by North American universities and colleges. IELTS is a jointly managed test by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council and IDP Education Australia. The test is accepted by many professional organizations in Australia and New Zealand including: the New Zealand Immigration Service, the Australian Department of Immigration. If you are interested in studying and / or training in Australia or New Zealand, this is the test best adapted to your qualification needs.
Studying for the IELTS test usually involves a long course. The preparation time is similar to that of the TOEFL, FCE or CAE courses (approximately 100 hours).

IELTS PRACTICE TEST : IELTS introduces half bands for writing and speaking

BEIJING, May 11 -- IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, has decided to introduce half bands for writing and speaking tests from this July 1st.

The news means that Writing and Speaking modules will be reported on the test form in whole or half-band increments.
However, scores for each part of the test will still be reported on the scale from one to nine.

At present the scores for Listening, Reading modules are shown in whole and half-bands, while Writing and Speaking are marked in whole bands only.

The exam organizer says that the change aims to provide more precise information on the speaking and writing ability of candidates.

The new scoring model is also hoped to help the test takers have a much more exact understanding of their language skills from their test report forms.

However, the organizer expresses that this will not change the way the exams will be marked. Examiners will assess test takers' performance in exactly the same way as at present. Moreover, the test format is to remain unchanged.

IELTS is a comprehensive test of the complete range of English language skills -- listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The Commonwealth equivalent of the American TOEFL, the IELTS exam is one of the most popular international exams for academic qualifications in English.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)